Understanding GLP-1 Medication Costs for Weight Loss:
A Guide by Dignity Weight Center
You may have witnessed the excitement surrounding the new classes of medications being used for weight loss: GLP-1 receptor agonists, like Wegovy and Ozempic, and the newer, dual action (GLP1/GIP) medications like Mounjaro and Zepbound.
You may have even seen that Oprah, the founder of Weight Watchers, has been open about using weight loss medication in her own journey.
How much do these medications cost?
First, remember the long term time-frame of the cost. The data from using these medications for weight loss are promising, with more studies currently being conducted for other uses like cardiovascular disease, fatty liver and substance use disorders.
Consider How Long You Need to Be On the GLP1
While effective, weight loss medications are intended to be used as adjuncts to a healthful lifestyle. You can maximize the results of the medication by optimizing your nutrition, activity, stress and sleep. As is lifestyle change, these medications are intended to be lifelong, which is an important factor when considering cost.
Cost of GLP1 Medications WITHOUT Insurance Coverage
Below is the pricing of these medications without insurance coverage. For your convenience, they are sorted by the condition for which the FDA has approved use. Currently, none of these medications are FDA-approved for prediabetes. Talk with your clinician to see if you qualify for any of these medications.
Weight Management
Wegovy: $404.71 weekly
Zepbound: $317.96 weekly
Saxenda: $107.92 weekly
Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus
Ozempic: $374.31 weekly
Mounjaro: $306.91 weekly
Trulicity: $279.26 weekly
Rybelsus: $262.01 weekly
Victoza: $148.91 weekly
Cost of GLP1 Medications WITH Insurance Coverage
You can save a significant amount of money with insurance coverage. For example, one of our patients with Blue Cross Blue Shield pays $35 per month for her Wegovy prescription, and another patient with UnitedHealthcare and CVS Caremark pays $140 for a 90-day supply of Zepbound.
It’s best to call your insurance company directly to see which medications are covered by your plan, as coverage varies. The amount you pay for a medication depends on your specific plan, your plan’s preferred drug list, and your deductible.
Cost of GLP1 Medications With Compounding
Another factor that can influence the cost of these medications is compounding, which involves adding other ingredients like vitamins or supplements, and then selling it as one combined product. As a result, these typically cost more (and usually out-of-pocket). If you are pursuing a prescription for a weight loss medication, inquire about whether it is a compounded version.
*It’s important to note that the compounded medications are NOT FDA-approved, therefore they have not undergone the safety, efficacy or quality testing that FDA-approved medications have.
More information on compounded medications here:
and on compounded Semaglutide (Ozempic, Wegovy and Rybelsus) here:
For more information on the side effects of these medications, please review this article:
https://www.dignityweightcenter.com/blog/what-are-the-side-effects-of-glp1-medications
How to Save Money on the Cost of GLP1 Medications
Ways to save money:
Try savings cards! Search “[medication] savings card” on Google and oftentimes, the manufacturer will have a discount card on their website to save on your first few months of use of their prescription.
Use GoodRx.com, which can save you money simply by changing the location of where you pick up your medication. They also have discount cards for certain medications on their website.
At Dignity Weight Center, we focus on a healthful lifestyle as the avenue to weight loss. We would love to meet with you to discuss how we can optimize your health so that you never need another diet or weight loss program in the future.