How Much Does Semaglutide Cost?
This article was reviewed by Craig Primack, MD, FACP, FAAP, FOMA.
You’ve probably heard of the semaglutide brand names Ozempic, Wegovy, and Rybelsus. And maybe you’ve heard about compounded semaglutide, too. If you’re looking to lose weight with help from these medications, your next question might be how much semaglutide typically costs per month without insurance. So, just how much is semaglutide?
Semaglutide costs vary widely depending on which type of semaglutide you go for, whether your insurance will cover it (hint: it probably won’t), and the pharmacy or telehealth company you buy it from.
Brass tacks — semaglutide costs anywhere from $200 to $2,000 per month.
Below, we’ll dive deeper into the cost of different semaglutide options, how to find the best price, and cheaper alternatives to consider.
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How Much Does Semaglutide Cost Without Insurance?
Unless you have type 2 diabetes, you’ll be hard-pressed to find an insurance provider that covers semaglutide. Without insurance, the cost of semaglutide varies depending on the type you’re getting and where you’re getting it from.
Let’s dig into the numbers.
The following are prices listed by Novo Nordisk — the manufacturer of Ozempic, Wegovy, and Rybelsus — and GoodRX at the time of publishing. (Note that pharmacy prices can vary by location.)
Ozempic
The list price is $968.52 a month.
At retail pharmacies, costs range from about $900 to $1,800 a month.
Wegovy
The list price is $1,349.02 a month. At retail pharmacies, costs range from about $1,300 to $2,000 a month.
Rybelsus
The list price is $968.52 a month.
FYI, semaglutide is a prescription medication, so you may also need to pay for doctor visits or virtual consultations with healthcare providers to get a prescription.
*Compounded drug products are not approved or evaluated for safety, effectiveness, or quality by the FDA. Prescription required.
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Does Insurance Cover Semaglutide?
Semaglutide isn’t usually covered by insurance when it’s used as a weight loss drug. (If you have type 2 diabetes, you have a much higher chance of getting your insurance provider foot to the bill.)
Even when semaglutide is covered by insurance, you typically have to jump through a few hoops, like getting a doctor to submit a prior authorization form on your behalf. And you’ll have to meet specific criteria, like having a body mass index (BMI) above a certain number.
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Why Doesn’t Insurance Cover Semaglutide for Weight Loss?
Ozempic is approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to:
- Help people with type 2 diabetes manage blood sugar levels
- Reduce the risk of cardiovascular events in those with type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular disease
Ozempic is sometimes prescribed off-label for weight loss. (Off-label means a drug is prescribed for something it isn’t FDA-approved for.) But insurance providers rarely cover off-label drug use.
So, if you don’t have type 2 diabetes and you’re taking Ozempic for weight loss alone, it’s unlikely your insurance company will cover the cost.
Wegovy, on the other hand, is FDA-approved for weight loss. But there’s a big caveat here. Most insurance providers classify anti-obesity medications as “cosmetic drugs.”
Ridiculous — we know. Especially since obesity is one of the most common and high-risk chronic conditions affecting Americans today.
How Much Does Semaglutide Cost With Insurance?
With insurance, semaglutide can cost anywhere from $0 to several hundred dollars a month. It all depends on your insurance plan and provider.
If your private or commercial insurance plan covers semaglutide, you might get your medication costs completely covered, or you may have to pay a copay or deductible.
You might also be able to apply for manufacturer savings programs — more on those soon.
If you have Medicaid, Wegovy is covered in a few select states. You could pay $0 or a small fee of $3 or less if you’re approved. Check your state’s Medicaid website.
Medicare doesn’t usually cover semaglutide drugs for weight loss.
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How to Reduce the Cost of Semaglutide
Let’s not beat around the bush — semaglutide injections like Ozempic and Wegovy are expensive. But they can provide many health benefits if they’re suitable for you.
Luckily, there are ways you can reduce the cost of semaglutide.
You can:
- Look for coupons and discount cards
- Get 90-day prescriptions (they can be cheaper than buying a 30-day supply)
- Consider compounded semaglutide
- Apply for manufacturer savings programs
One thing you can’t do? Get a generic. There are currently no generic versions of Ozempic, Wegovy, or Rybelsus.
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Compounded Semaglutide
Compounded semaglutide has the active ingredient semaglutide, but it’s not an FDA-approved medication like Ozempic and Wegovy. If you’re considering compounded semaglutide, make sure you get it through a reputable company with a demonstrated commitment to safety and transparency.
Compounded semaglutide is often more affordable than brand name versions of the drug. But it isn’t the only affordable alternative out there. We cover some of your options below.
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Novo Nordisk’s Savings Programs
Novo Nordisk offers savings programs to some qualifying individuals, but these programs are typically reserved for people who already qualify for insurance coverage.
Novo Nordisk offers savings programs to some qualifying individuals, but these programs are typically reserved for people who already qualify for insurance coverage.
If your insurance provider covers Ozempic, you may be eligible for additional cost savings. You may able to save a maximum of:
- $100 per one-month prescription
- $200 per two-month prescription
- $300 per three-month prescription
This means, if eligible and depending on your insurance policy, you could pay as little as $25 per prescription.
If your insurance provider covers Wegovy, you might be able to save up to $225 a month, so your out-of-pocket cost could be reduced to zero.
For Rybelsus, if you’re eligible and your commercial insurance covers it, you could save up to:
- $300 per one-month prescription
- $600 per two-month prescription
- $900 per three-month prescription
This could reduce your cost to as little as $10 a month.
One thing to keep in mind about these savings cards is that they won’t last forever.
Novo Nordisk also offers a patient assistance program (PAP). If eligible, you could get Ozempic or Rybelsis for no cost. There are a few requirements, though, like you need to have type 2 diabetes, have a low income, and be uninsured or enrolled in Medicare.
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Semaglutide Alternatives
If the cost of semaglutide is enough to make your eyes water, we’ve got some good news. You don’t need to give up on finding a weight loss treatment just yet.
There are more affordable weight loss medications out there that can help you on your weight loss journey.
Here are some of your options.
- Metformin. Metformin is approved to treat type 2 diabetes. It’s sometimes prescribed off-label to treat polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), overweight, and obesity. Metformin works by reducing hunger and stabilizing blood glucose levels.
- Naltrexone. Naltrexone is a prescription medication that helps reduce cravings for alcohol and opioids.
- Topiramate. This medication is an anticonvulsant that can suppress appetite and make you feel fuller for longer.
- Bupropion. Bupropion is an antidepressant that affects neurotransmitters that regulate the brain’s reward system.
You’ll find these oral medications typically come with a much lower price tag than semaglutide and other weight loss injections.
Your provider will recommend a personalized combination that suits your body and needs.
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Semaglutide Costs: The Bottom Line
There are many health insurance providers, plans, and even different types of semaglutide. So “How much is semaglutide?” isn’t a straightforward question.
Here’s the TL;DR on semaglutide weight loss prices:
- Without insurance, your semaglutide cost per month can add up. Ozempic and Rybelsus can cost about $900 a month, and Wegovy can be around $1,300 a month.
- With insurance, you may pay less. It all depends on your insurance plan and provider and whether you’re eligible for additional savings. You might have to pay a copay or meet your deductible first. Semaglutide drugs are rarely covered by insurance for weight loss purposes, though.
- There are more affordable options. Other weight loss injections may work out cheaper, depending on what you go for. Oral weight loss medications are also generally much more affordable than injections.
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This article originally appeared on Forhers.com and was syndicated by MediaFeed.org
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