How much does tirzepatide cost with and without insurance?

Ever since weight loss injections were released, they’ve gotten a lot of attention. And while the  FDA approved tirzepatide to help manage weight and to treat type 2 diabetes, sometimes the cost can be prohibitive for many people.

The list price without insurance or discounts ranges from $1,059.87 to $1069.02 per month. The price you’ll pay depends on the drug prescribed (e.g. Mounjaro or Zepbound), your health insurance (if any), and other factors.

Fortunately, there are ways to save on tirzepatide. Ahead, we discuss the costs for different tirzepatide prescriptions on the market, the best ways to save money, and when insurance does (and doesn’t) cover the drug.

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The price for tirzepatide without insurance is typically under $1,200, but may be less depending on discounts and coupons. 

Before we dig deeper into the financials, a quick refresher: tirzepatide is a dual glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) and glucose-dependent insulinotropic polypeptide (GIP) receptor agonist. That’s a long winded way to say tirzepatide mimics two gut hormones, resulting in improved glycemic control and managing body weight. 

If this sounds similar to semaglutide (i.e. Ozempic, Wegovy, and Rybelsus), that’s because the two are alike, though research suggests tirzepatide may be more effective for weight loss. 

Currently, tirzepatide is available in two FDA approved brand-name prescription drugs: Zepbound and Mounjaro. It’s important to note that both work better alongside diet and exercise, and they are approved for different purposes. But more on that later. For now, let’s dive into how much they cost.

Mounjaro 

With a list price of $1,069.08 for four pre-filled pens, Mounjaro can be expensive. 

The good news? Most individuals with a prescription for Mounjaro will pay less. Even if you don't have access to health insurance or assistance programs, most pharmacies charge less than the list price. 

Eli Lilly also offers a Mounjaro savings card where commercially insured patients (aka those not insured through Medicare, Medicaid, or another government-funded insurance program) can get Mounjaro for as little as $25 a month. If you have commercial insurance coverage that doesn’t include Mounjaro, the savings card provides up to $473 off the monthly prescription. Sadly, the savings program doesn't extend to those who are uninsured or insured by a noncommercial payer. 

With that in mind, here’s how much Mounjaro (four 5 mg/0.5ml pens) costs at different pharmacies, according to SingleCare.

*While prices were valid at the time of publication, they may vary based on date and location.

Zepbound 

The list price for a one-month supply of Zepbound is $1,059.87 for four pens (a monthly supply). 

Eli Lilly is also the manufacturer of Zepbound, and their savings card offers the same discount for Zepbound: a price as low as $25 monthly, if commercially insured. For those without insurance, the LillyDirect service does offer a “cash price” of $399 for a monthly Zepbound prescription of a  2.5 mg vial or $549 monthly for a 5mg vial.

Along with discounts and insurance coverage, factors like your pharmacy and zip code can impact the final price. Here’s an idea of how much four 2.5 mg/0.5ml pens of Zepbound cost at four pharmacies, according to SingleCare:

*While prices were valid at the time of publication, they may vary based on date and location. For the most accurate estimates, refresh the SingleCare searches and enter your zip code.

Compounded tirzepatide 

Compounded drugs are custom-made based on a patient’s prescription. While these drugs are allowed under federal law, they don’t have FDA approval and may not have undergone a robust safety and manufacturing review. 

Compounded tirzepatide features the same active ingredients as Mounjaro and/or Zepbound, with a few financial caveats. First, it is usually not covered by insurance. However, the list price can be more affordable than Zepbound or Mounjaro.

How to save on the cost of tirzepatide without insurance

Let’s face it: paying upwards of $1,000 a month for tirzepatide may be out of budget. Luckily, there are ways to save. 

The first is through the manufacturer's discount programs:

• If uninsured or insurance doesn’t cover Zepbound: Eli Lilly offers capped cash price of $399-$549 for Zepbound vial, depending on dosage, through LillyDirect. 

• If insurance doesn’t cover Mounjaro: you may enjoy up to $473 off. This discount, however, is reserved for those who are commercially insured, but Mounjaro isn’t covered by that commercial insurance plan.

• If commercial insured: you may be able to get both Zepbound or Mounjaro for as little as $25 a month, so long as your commercial insurance plan covers the prescription.

Insurance coverage for tirzepatide is a bit of a gray area. Some commercial health insurance plans cover Mounjaro, Zepbound, or both. When they do, the savings can be huge; for example, some insured individuals may be able to pay $25 for their monthly prescription of Mounjaro or Zepbound. It’s unlikely, however, that your insurance will cover compounded tirzepatide.

When Zepbound, Mounjaro, or both are covered by your plan, they will be listed in your insurance plan’s drug formulary. If not listed, you and your doctor can request prior-authorization when the prescription is a medical necessity. The Obesity Action Coalition offers a templated prior-authorization request and other resources to help you navigate insurance coverage.

Does Medicare cover tirzepatide?

Most Medicare Advantage and Part D prescription drug plans don’t cover tirzepatide. However, they are not prohibited from covering these (when prescribed for Type 2 diabetes), meaning your plan may cover Zepbound, Mounjaro, or both. If covered, you may still be responsible for part of the cost, depending on your plan’s deductible and copays. 

If tirzepatide is prescribed for weight loss specifically, Medicare cannot cover the cost—even if your plan is through a Medicare Advantage provider. Organizations are advocating for this law to be changed, and a bill in congress may change this in the near future.

Does Medicaid cover tirzepatide?

Unlike Medicare, which has national standards for what is and isn’t covered, Medicaid coverage varies by state. Contact your state Medicaid agency or review your plan’s drug formulary to determine if tirzepatide is covered. Medicaid eligibility is contingent upon income requirements set by individual states. 

Since tirzepatide is a prescription drug, it requires a prescription from a healthcare provider. If you believe tirzepatide may be a good fit, schedule an appointment with a healthcare provider who can assess your symptoms and determine the best treatment plan. 

Alternatively, you can get a tirzepatide prescription through Ro’s program that offers:

• A personalized treatment plan

• 1:1 health coaching

• Ongoing support from healthcare providers

• Insurance concierge services to help navigate tirzepatide coverage

(Note: Ro offers Zepbound, but not Mounjaro. Ro does not prescribe Zepbound vials at this time.)

No matter which option you choose, it’s important to remember that Zepbound, Mounjaro, and compounded tirzepatide work best in tandem with diet and exercise. Plus, the two brand-name prescriptions are FDA-approved for different medical needs.

Zepbound is FDA-approved for chronic weight management in adults:

• with a BMI of 30 kg/m2 or greater 

• with a BMI between 25 kg/m2 and 30 kg/m2 and one or more weight-related conditions (i.e. high cholesterol, high blood sugar levels, high blood pressure, or type 2 diabetes)

Mounjaro is FDA-approved for type 2 diabetes, but not weight loss. Sometimes, physicians prescribe Mounjaro off-label for weight loss to patients who have overweight or obesity but don’t have type 2 diabetes. This was more common before Zepbound was FDA-approved for weight loss, though it still occurs.

Compounded tirzepatide is not FDA-approved, but is legally available. Zepbound, Mounjaro, and compounded tirzepatide may cause side effects, including nausea, headaches, and stomach pain, which is another reason why it is important to follow the advice of your doctor when deciding between medications. 

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Current version

September 29, 2024

Written by

Angela Myers

Fact checked by

Patricia Weiser, PharmD

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About the medical reviewer

Patricia Weiser, PharmD

Patricia Weiser, PharmD, is a licensed pharmacist, health content writer, and medical reviewer with more than a decade of clinical experience in community and hospital pharmacy.