Wegovy (semaglutide) is a prescription medication taken once a week to aid weight loss in individuals with obesity or overweight when used alongside a healthy diet and regular exercise. However, the high cost—$1,349.02 per month at list price—can make it difficult for some patients to afford.
Fortunately, there are ways to reduce the cost of Wegovy, whether you have insurance or not. Keep reading to explore Wegovy’s pricing with and without insurance, potential savings options, and more affordable alternatives.
How much does Wegovy cost without insurance?
The price of Wegovy 0.25mg/0.5ml pf pen injectors varies depending on your insurance plan and the pharmacy you choose. Each monthly package contains four pre-filled injection pens, with a total cost of $1,349.02 if purchased without insurance. This equates to $337.25 per week or an annual expense of $16,188.24.
Even if you don’t have health insurance, there are ways to reduce the cost of Wegovy. Websites like GoodRx provide free coupons that can be used at major pharmacies such as Walgreens, CVS, and Walmart, offering discounts of 7-34% off the retail price. Currently, there is no generic alternative for Wegovy, and it may take some time before one becomes available.
Novo Nordisk, the manufacturer of Wegovy, has a savings program called WeGoTogether. This program allows eligible patients with private or commercial insurance to pay as little as $0 for a 28-day supply. If your insurance does not cover Wegovy, you may still qualify for a reduced price of $650 per month through the savings offer.
For a clearer picture of how Wegovy’s price can vary, here’s a comparison of pharmacy prices for a 1.75 mg (0.75 mL) pen, as reported by SingleCare. Keep in mind that prices fluctuate and may differ based on your location.
Why is the Senate investigating the cost of Wegovy?
Senator Bernie Sanders initiated an investigation on April 24, 2024, into Novo Nordisk’s pricing for Ozempic and Wegovy. The Senate committee seeks details on production costs, international price differences, and the higher cost of Wegovy despite having the same active ingredient as Ozempic. A Yale study found that manufacturing Ozempic costs under $5 per month.
During a September 2024 hearing, Novo Nordisk’s CEO defended the prices, citing pharmacy benefit manager (PBM) rebates. However, Senator Sanders obtained commitments from major PBMs to keep the drugs on their formularies even if prices were reduced, increasing pressure on Novo Nordisk to lower costs.
How much does Wegovy cost with insurance?
The FDA approved Wegovy in 2022 for weight management. However, insurance coverage for Wegovy varies based on your specific prescription drug plan and the pharmacy you choose.
The cost of Wegovy with insurance varies depending on your specific plan.
To check if your insurance covers Wegovy, look at your plan’s drug formulary, which lists all covered medications. If Wegovy isn’t included, your doctor may submit an appeal to request coverage. Generally, Medicare doesn’t cover weight loss drugs, but you should confirm with your provider.
Veterans receiving care from the VA may qualify for Wegovy under the MOVE! Weight Management Program.
Since March 2024, the FDA has approved Wegovy to lower the risk of heart attacks and strokes in some patients. If prescribed for this reason, insurance may be more likely to cover it.
Is Wegovy covered by Medicaid?
Medicaid programs are still updating their coverage for Wegovy since it is a newly approved weight loss medication. Not all states cover it yet. To find out if your Medicaid plan includes Wegovy, check your plan’s drug list (formulary) or contact your state’s Medicaid office. If covered, you may need prior authorization before getting the medication.
Is Wegovy covered by Medicare?
Medicare covers Wegovy for people with cardiovascular disease because it has been approved to help reduce the risk of heart attacks and strokes in these patients. However, Medicare does not cover Wegovy for general weight loss or obesity treatment alone because it considers weight loss drugs as lifestyle medications, which are usually not covered under Medicare rules.
Wegovy vs. Ozempic cost
The main difference between Wegovy and Ozempic is their purpose and dosage.
- Purpose: Wegovy is FDA-approved for weight loss, while Ozempic is approved for type 2 diabetes (though some people use it off-label for weight loss).
- Dosage: Wegovy comes in higher doses compared to Ozempic, making it more suitable for weight loss.
- Injection Pen: The injection pens for both medications are different, with Wegovy designed specifically for weight loss treatment.
In short, while both contain semaglutide, Wegovy is made for weight loss, and Ozempic is for diabetes, with different dosages and injection methods.
As mentioned above, Wegovy is FDA-approved to:
- Reduce excess body weight and manage weight long term in adults and children ages 12+ with obesity as well as adults with obesity or overweight who have at least one weight-related health condition (e.g. high blood pressure, diabetes)
- Lower the risk of major cardiovascular problems (e.g. heart attack, stroke) in adults with heart disease and obesity, without type 2 diabetes
Ozempic is FDA-approved to:
- Control blood sugar levels in adults with type 2 diabetes mellitus
- Lower the risk of major cardiovascular problems (e.g. heart attack, stroke) in adults with type 2 diabetes and heart disease
Still, your healthcare provider can decide which medication is best for you and can choose to prescribe Ozempic off-label for weight loss if they feel it’s the right choice.
While the starting doses of the two medications are the same, Wegovy is available in higher maximum doses than Ozempic, and clinical trials demonstrating the effectiveness of Wegovy for weight loss showed that Wegovy resulted in significantly more weight loss in combination with lifestyle changes. Since both medications are started at the same lower doses and slowly titrated up as your body learns to tolerate the medication, a healthcare provider could choose to start with Ozempic and switch to Wegovy down the line if you need a higher dose.
At this time, Wegovy is FDA-approved to help with chronic weight management while Ozempic is not, so if you don’t have diabetes, you’re much more likely to get covered for Wegovy than Ozempic for weight loss by your insurance company. Without insurance, Ozempic costs around $968.52 per month.
If you also have type 2 diabetes, you may qualify for the Novo Nordisk Patient Assistance Program (PAP), which provides Ozempic and other diabetes medications for free. To qualify for the PAP, you must be a US citizen or legal resident with a total household income at or below 400% of the federal poverty line with no private insurance or health coverage through a federal, state, or government program. You will need to work with your healthcare provider to complete the application and submit it for approval.
Novo Nordisk also offers an Ozempic Savings Card, which can bring the cost of Ozempic down by $150 for a 1-month prescription, $300 for a 2-month prescription, and $450 for a 3-month prescription. Similar to the Wegovy Savings Card, you must have private or commercial insurance and meet certain eligibility requirements to qualify.
Bottom line: Both Wegovy and Ozempic can lead to weight loss, but because Wegovy is FDA-approved for chronic weight management, it is more likely to be covered by insurance than Ozempic if you don’t have diabetes. Because neither drug has a generic version, they have high retail prices. Novo Nordisk, the manufacturer of both drugs, offers savings programs that can bring down the cost of both semaglutide drugs.
How to get Wegovy
To obtain Wegovy, you’ll need a prescription from a healthcare provider. You can schedule an appointment with your doctor to discuss whether Wegovy is right for you.
Another way to access Wegovy is through Ro’s 12-month Body Program, which supports weight loss by combining GLP-1 medication (such as Wegovy) with expert coaching, personalized guidance, and an evidence-based curriculum. Ro also provides a concierge team to assist with navigating insurance coverage for GLP-1 medications. If one medication isn’t covered, they help explore alternative options. For instance, Saxenda—another FDA-approved weight loss medication—belongs to the same drug class as Wegovy but contains liraglutide instead of semaglutide. While Saxenda also has common side effects like nausea and vomiting, it requires daily injections, unlike Wegovy’s once-weekly dosage.
How to get a Wegovy coupon
If you’re looking for ways to save money on Wegovy, there are several strategies that can help reduce the cost.
One option is to use a discount coupon from services like SingleCare or GoodRx. These free online platforms provide coupons for a variety of medications, including Wegovy. By entering your location, you can compare discounted prices at different pharmacies near you. You can also contact local pharmacies directly to find the lowest available price.
Another way to save is through the Wegovy Savings Card, offered by the drug’s manufacturer, Novo Nordisk. This program is available to individuals with commercial health insurance, whether or not their plan covers Wegovy. If your insurance includes coverage for Wegovy, you may pay as little as $0 for a 28-day supply and save up to $225. If your insurance does not cover Wegovy, the Savings Card allows you to purchase it for $650 per 28-day supply.
To qualify for the Wegovy Savings Card, you must reside in the U.S., have private health insurance, and hold a valid prescription for the medication. Unfortunately, those with government-funded healthcare, such as Medicare, Medicaid, or VA benefits, are not eligible. The card provides savings for up to 13 fills of Wegovy.
By exploring these options, you can potentially lower your out-of-pocket costs and make Wegovy more affordable.
How does Wegovy work?
Wegovy is a medication that helps with weight loss by mimicking a natural hormone called GLP-1, which plays a key role in regulating appetite. The active ingredient, semaglutide, works by signaling the brain to reduce hunger while also slowing down digestion. This combination makes you feel fuller for longer periods, ultimately leading to reduced calorie intake and weight loss.
Research has shown that people using Wegovy for 68 weeks lost nearly 15% of their body weight on average—over five times more than those taking a placebo. Additionally, Wegovy has been linked to lower cardiovascular risks and improved physical function. Studies also suggest that it may be more effective for weight loss compared to other diabetes treatments.
Are there cheaper alternatives to Wegovy?
With a monthly price tag of $1,349.02, Wegovy can be costly. However, more affordable alternatives are available, including other injectable and oral weight loss medications.
Ozempic (semaglutide)
Ozempic and Wegovy are both produced by Novo Nordisk and contain the same active ingredient, semaglutide. However, they serve different primary purposes and come in different dosage strengths.
Wegovy is specifically designed and FDA-approved for long-term weight management in adults and children (12+) with obesity, as well as overweight adults who have at least one weight-related health condition, such as high blood pressure or diabetes. Additionally, it is approved to lower the risk of major cardiovascular events in adults with heart disease and obesity, even if they do not have type 2 diabetes.
On the other hand, Ozempic is FDA-approved to help control blood sugar levels in adults with type 2 diabetes. It is also approved to reduce the risk of serious cardiovascular events, such as heart attack or stroke, in those with both type 2 diabetes and heart disease. While Ozempic can be prescribed off-label for weight loss, it is primarily intended for diabetes management.
In terms of cost, both medications are expensive. However, Ozempic is generally the more affordable option, with a list price of $968.52 for a 28-day supply. Additionally, Novo Nordisk provides an Ozempic Savings Card, which can lower the cost to as little as $25 for eligible individuals with private or commercial insurance coverage.
Compounded semaglutide
Compounded medications are custom-made by licensed pharmacists to cater to a patient’s specific needs when a commercially available drug isn’t suitable or accessible. While legally allowed with a prescription, these medications are not FDA-approved, meaning they don’t go through the same rigorous testing for safety, effectiveness, and manufacturing standards as commercially available drugs. Healthcare providers may prescribe compounded medications due to drug shortages or insurance coverage issues.
Compounded semaglutide contains the same active ingredient as Ozempic and Wegovy and is administered as a weekly injection with a prescription. Although insurance typically doesn’t cover compounded medications, they can be a more affordable alternative. For instance, Ro offers compounded semaglutide through its Body membership, which includes the medication and costs $194 for the first month and $399 per month thereafter.
Mounjaro and Zepbound (tirzepatide)
Mounjaro and Zepbound are both injectable medications containing the same active ingredient, tirzepatide, but they serve different medical purposes.
FDA Approvals:
Mounjaro is approved for managing blood sugar levels in adults with type 2 diabetes.
Zepbound is approved for weight loss and long-term weight management in adults with obesity or overweight who have at least one related health condition (e.g., high blood pressure, diabetes).
Although both medications come in the same dosage strengths, insurance coverage may vary depending on the condition being treated.
Cost Comparison:
Compared to Wegovy, both Mounjaro and Zepbound offer a more affordable alternative:
Mounjaro: $1,069.08 for a 28-day supply without insurance
Zepbound: $1,059.87, with a lower-cost vial option starting at $349 per month through Ro
Savings Programs:
Eli Lilly provides Savings Cards to help reduce out-of-pocket costs:
Mounjaro Savings Card:
Lowers the cost to as little as $25 for a 1- or 3-month prescription for those with commercial insurance.
Provides up to $473 in savings per month for those without insurance coverage.
Zepbound Savings Card:
Lowers the price to as little as $25 for a 1- or 3-month prescription for those with commercial insurance.
Offers savings of up to $463 per month for those without insurance coverage.
By taking advantage of these programs, patients may find these medications to be more cost-effective options for managing diabetes or weight loss.
Saxenda (liraglutide)
Another injectable medication for weight loss, Saxenda (liraglutide), has a list price of $1,349.02, making it just as expensive as Wegovy without insurance. However, with insurance coverage, Saxenda may be a more affordable option, depending on factors such as your specific insurance plan and its coverage policies.