How much does Zepbound cost without insurance?

Without insurance, Zepbound (tirzepatide) costs anywhere from $299 to over $1,000 per month. And with insurance? It can still stretch beyond pocket change. The good news, however, is that there are plenty of ways to save on the weight loss medication, regardless of your insurance coverage or lack thereof. 

Below, we break down the cost of Zepbound with and without insurance, compare these prices to those of other drugs like Wegovy (semaglutide), and share savings tips for your monthly refill.

Without insurance, Zepbound costs can range from $299 to $1,086.37 per fill, which comes out to $75–$272 per week. 

Ultimately, however, the amount you’ll pay for Zepbound will depend on various factors such as your insurance coverage (if any), preferred pharmacy, and location.

What you pay for Zepbound without insurance can also vary depending on the prescribed form of the drug (pens or vials). Zepbound is also available in multi-dose KwikPens, which can be purchased with cash on Ro or through LillyDirect, the manufacturer’s self-pay pharmacy.

Fastest-working GLP-1 for faster weight loss

See if you qualify

Here are the cash prices of a four-week supply of Zepbound KwikPens when purchased on Ro: 

• $299 per month: 2.5 mg dose

• $399 per month: 5 mg dose

• $499 per month*: 7.5 mg, 10 mg, 12.5 mg, and 15 mg doses

It’s worth noting that the Zepbound KwikPens are exclusively available to people who either a) pay cash for their prescriptions or b) have a commercial insurance plan that doesn’t cover Zepbound. People with government-funded insurance, such as Medicare or Medicaid, aren’t eligible. 

*With manufacturer offer 

Whether your insurance plan covers Zepbound will depend on your plan’s prescription drug coverage and the pharmacy you use to fill your prescription. When insurance does cover Zepbound, prior authorization is typically required. 

To find out if Zepbound is covered by your insurance plan, review your plan’s drug formulary, which lists all the drugs eligible for coverage under your plan. You can also contact your insurance provider directly by calling the phone number on the back of your insurance card. 

If your plan does not include coverage for Zepbound, your healthcare provider can submit an appeal letter on your behalf to your insurance company requesting an exception and coverage. Be aware, however, that these appeals are not always successful. 

Is Zepbound covered by Medicare?

In general, Medicare does not cover weight loss medications prescribed to treat obesity and overweight. However, Zepbound can be covered when prescribed for obstructive sleep apnea. 

Starting July 1, 2026, Medicare will offer more affordable access to certain weight loss medications through a temporary program called the Medicare GLP-1 Bridge. Under the program, eligible Medicare Part D beneficiaries pay a flat $50 per month for certain GLP-1s, regardless of dose. This includes the Zepbound KwikPen, Wegovy (pens or pills), and Foundayo.

Is Zepbound covered by Medicaid?

Medicaid coverage for Zepbound, as well as other drugs, can vary by state. Visit the Medicaid site for your state and review the Medicaid Preferred Drug List (PDL) to check if your Medicaid plan offers coverage for Zepbound. If it doesn’t, your healthcare provider can submit an appeal on your behalf.

Is Zepbound covered by VA Benefits or TRICARE?

It is possible that Veterans Affairs may provide coverage for Zepbound through its MOVE! Program. Contact your VA provider or local MOVE! Coordinator to learn more. If you have benefits through CHAMPVA, Zepbound is only covered when prescribed for sleep apnea.

Certain TRICARE plans also provide coverage for Zepbound, including TRICARE Prime, TRICARE Prime Remote, and TRICARE Select.

However you pay for Zepbound, with or without insurance, you may be eligible for additional savings. Currently, there are three main ways people lower the cost of Zepbound: applying for the Zepbound Savings Card, paying with a pharmacy discount, or using self-pay programs for KwikPens.

Zepbound Savings Card 

If you have commercial drug insurance, whether through your employer or purchased independently, you may be eligible for the Zepbound Savings Card. If your plan includes coverage for Zepbound, this Zepbound coupon brings the cost of Zepbound down to as little as $25 for a one- or three-month prescription. 

To be eligible for the Zepbound coupon offered by Eli Lilly, you must:

• Have a prescription for Zepbound

• Be enrolled in a commercial drug insurance plan

• Not have insurance coverage through any state, federal, or government-funded program, such as Medicare, Medicaid, VA, or TRICARE

• Be a resident of the US or Puerto Rico

• Be at least 18 years old

Get started

Zepbound coupons and prescription cards 

If you don’t qualify for the official Zepbound Savings Card offered by Eli Lilly, you can still fill your prescription for Zepbound through a traditional pharmacy for less. Several websites offer pharmacy discount cards that can help you save significantly on the cost of Zepbound and other prescription drugs. 

Once you’ve signed up (which is free, by the way), you simply search for your dosage of Zepbound, download the coupon for your preferred pharmacy, and show it to your pharmacist when you pick up your prescription. There is one caveat, however: These Zepbound coupons cannot be combined with insurance discounts or manufacturer offers. 

• SingleCare: This website partners with over 35,000 pharmacies to offer savings on over 10,000 prescription drugs.

• GoodRx: This website partners with over 70,000 pharmacies to offer savings on various prescription drugs. 

• Optum Perks: This website partners with over 64,000 pharmacies. 

• WellRx: This website partners with over 65,000 pharmacies. 

If you’re a Costco member, you can fill your prescription there or at one of their participating pharmacies for a lower cost. At the time of writing, Zepbound costs $1,078.79 at Costco or $1,081.79 for home delivery. 

Zepbound KwikPens

If you have a commercial insurance plan that doesn’t cover Zepbound or if you pay cash for your prescription, you may be eligible to purchase the Zepbound KwikPens for a lower price. 

Each KwikPen contains four weekly doses in a single pen, whereas the autoinjector pens each contain a single dose. To use the KwikPen, you’ll attach a new needle for each injection.

The KwikPens cost half the list price of Zepbound — or less — when purchased through a self-pay program like Ro. Zepbound KwikPen pricing varies by dose:

• $299 per month: 2.5 mg dose

• $399 per month: 5 mg dose

• $499 per month*: 7.5 mg, 10 mg, 12.5 mg, and 15 mg doses

These prices cannot be discounted further and cannot be combined with any insurance or savings cards. 

*With manufacturer offer 

You need a prescription from a licensed healthcare provider to get Zepbound. Zepbound is typically prescribed in combination with diet and exercise for the following uses:

• To help with weight loss and weight management in adults who have obesity or overweight and at least one weight-related health condition, such as high blood pressure, high cholesterol, type 2 diabetes, or heart disease

• To treat moderate-to-severe obstructive sleep apnea in adults with obesity

You can get a prescription for Zepbound from your primary care provider, a specialist in obesity medicine, or with the Ro Body membership, a comprehensive program that includes:

• Your weight loss medication (including Zepbound, if that’s the most appropriate medication for you)

• Metabolic testing included 

• A personalized treatment plan

• 1:1 health coaching

• A step-by-step curriculum

• Ongoing support from your provider

• Insurance concierge services to help you get coverage for Zepbound

Yes, there are some cheaper alternatives to Zepbound, including oral GLP-1s like the Wegovy pill and Foundayo (orforglipron). Other, more affordable options include compounded semaglutide and oral weight loss pills such as Qsymia (phentermine/topiramate) and Contrave (naltrexone/bupropion). 

FYI, compounded semaglutide often contains the same active ingredient as Wegovy. But it’s important to note that while legal, compounded medications do not undergo the same review process as their FDA-approved, brand-name counterparts. 

The table below lists the prices for cheaper Zepbound alternatives, along with the cost of Zepbound and the other GLP-1 injections approved for weight loss (e.g. Saxenda, Wegovy), even though they are more expensive. All are FDA-approved. 

*With manufacturer offer 

Check for free

When it comes to weight loss medications, Zepbound stands out for its impressive results, but also its high cost. Understanding the factors that influence Zepbound’s price and taking advantage of ways to make it more affordable can make your next trip to the pharmacy feel less daunting. 

• Without insurance, Zepbound can cost $299–$1,086.37 for a monthly supply, but retail prices are typically higher. You can, however, get Zepbound for less money ($299–$499 per month) if you opt for the Zepbound KwikPen via self-pay on Ro. 

• Insurance coverage and the Zepbound Savings Card can bring costs down significantly. Patients paying cash may consider Zepbound KwikPens, which start at $299. Pharmacy discount cards like GoodRx and SingleCare can reduce costs further.

• Insurance coverage for Zepbound depends on your specific plan. While many private insurers may cover it, prior authorization is often required. 

• Medicare currently does not cover weight loss drugs, but eligible Part D members may qualify to pay $50 per month for Zepbound Kwikpen through the new Medicare GLP-1 Bridge program.  Medicaid coverage varies by state.