How to save on Wegovy: $25 with the Wegovy Savings Card

Wegovy (semaglutide) is an FDA-approved weekly injectable weight loss medication. The active ingredient semaglutide was approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in 2021 for chronic weight management in adults and children 12 and older with obesity and for adults who are overweight with one or more weight-related health conditions, like type 2 diabetes or high blood pressure.

In addition to weight loss, Wegovy is approved to lower the risk of serious heart problems like heart attacks and stroke in obese or overweight adults with heart disease.

In 2023, prescriptions for semaglutide increased by nearly 40 times, with almost 1.7% of the U.S. population using it. With an estimated list price of $1,430 per month, the cost of Wegovy is very high, especially for those without adequate insurance coverage.

Read on to learn how to get Wegovy for $25 per month or at the lowest possible price and potential alternatives.

How much does Wegovy cost without insurance?

The list price of Wegovy is $1,349.02 per month, according to the manufacturer, Novo Nordisk, which comes to about $337.30 per week or $16,188.20 per year.

The list price isn’t necessarily the price you’ll pay at the pharmacy. For people paying out of pocket, the average retail price can vary based on many factors such as your location, the pharmacy you use, the reason your doctor prescribed it, and if you have insurance.

• Pharmacy: Prices are not regulated in the U.S., so each pharmacy sets its price.
• Location: The price can vary by location even if you’re buying from the same retailer. For example, a Walgreens on one block may be cheaper or more expensive than another Walgreens on the next block.
• Insurance coverage: If you have insurance coverage for Wegovy, your out-of-pocket cost will be based on the copay and deductible in your plan.

With insurance, how much you pay out of pocket depends on your plan, copay, and deductible. You might pay $0 if your insurance covers the full cost, especially if you’ve met your deductible or out-of-pocket limit. If you haven’t, you’ll pay a portion of the cost but not the full price. Some insurance plans may not cover some brand-name medications or may cover less of the cost.

If you have insurance, the manufacturer has a cost lookup tool you can use to check your insurance coverage and costs for Wegovy with your insurance plan. You can also talk to an agent or fill out an online form to request a review of your benefits and out-of-pocket costs.

Many insurance plans including Medicare and Medicaid will cover Wegovy to prevent heart attack and stroke in people who are overweight or obese and have a diagnosis of heart disease but not for weight loss alone. The Medicare Plan Finder tool can help you find a Medicare plan that covers your medication.

Healthcare professionals will work with your insurance company to get approval for your medication by submitting a prior authorization. A prior authorization may need to be completed before your insurance company will cover Wegovy.

What is the Wegovy Savings Card?

The Wegovy Savings Card program is offered by the manufacturer, Novo Nordisk, to help people save money with or without insurance. It helps those with insurance to reduce their out-of-pocket costs of Wegovy to as low as $0/month by providing financial assistance to cover a portion of the cost, making the medication more affordable for qualifying individuals.

The program is typically available to those with commercial insurance, or without any insurance coverage, and excludes those with government-sponsored insurance such as Medicare and Medicaid.

To qualify for the Wegovy Savings Card, you must meet certain criteria. If you’re eligible for the savings card, you can also join WeGoTogether for free. This program offers personalized support to help with weight loss and maintenance, including access to a health coach, a progress-tracking portal, and more.

To get started, apply for the Wegovy savings card on the Novo Nordisk website.

Eligibility criteria for the Wegovy Savings Card

If eligible for the Wegovy savings card program, you can get Wegovy for $650 per month, or as low as $0.

You need to meet these requirements to qualify:

• Be a legal resident of the U.S. or Puerto Rico
• Be at least 18 years old
• Not be enrolled in any government-funded programs like Medicare, Medicaid, Medicare Advantage, Medigap, DoD, VA or TRICARE/CHAMPUS, or any state prescription drug assistance program

Patients with commercial insurance and coverage for Wegovy

To get Wegovy for $0, you need to also meet these requirements:

• You must also be enrolled in a private or commercial drug insurance plan that covers Wegovy with out-of-pocket expenses that are less than $849 per month.
• Have a valid prescription for Wegovy that follows FDA-approved guidelines:
  • Chronic weight management chronic weight management in adults and children ages 12 and older with obesity (BMI of 30 or more) and overweight (BMI of 27 to 29.9) who also have weight-related health issues, like heart disease, type 2 diabetes, or high blood pressure, or;
  • To reduce the risk of major cardiovascular events such as stroke or heart attack, in overweight and obese individuals with heart disease.

If you meet these requirements, you may be able to pay $0 for a one-month, two-month, or three-month supply of Wegovy injection with the following limitations:

• Maximum savings of $225 for a 1-month prescription (28-day supply)
• Maximum savings of $450 for a 2-month prescription (56-day supply)
• Maximum savings of $675 for a 3-month prescription (84-day supply)
• Valid for up to 24 months from the date of activating the savings offer.
• Not transferrable or redeemable for cash

Patients with commercial insurance and without coverage for Wegovy, or with no insurance

To get Wegovy for $650 per month, you need to also meet these requirements:

• Your private or commercial insurance does not cover Wegovy, or;
• Your commercial insurance covers Wegovy butt your out-of-pocket cost is more than $849 per month, or;
• You are uninsured.

If you meet these requirements, you may be able to pay $650 for a 1-month supply of Wegovy injection with the following limitations:

• Maximum savings of $650 for a 1-month prescription (28-day supply)
• Maximum savings of $1,300 for a 2-month prescription (56-day supply)
• Maximum savings of $1,950 for a 3-month prescription (84-day supply)
• Valid for up to 24 months from the date of activating the savings offer.
• Not transferrable or redeemable for cash

How to get the Wegovy Savings Card

To see if you are eligible for the Wegovy discount card follow these steps:

1. Check your insurance: You must be enrolled in a commercial drug insurance plan, not Medicaid, Medicare, or any government-funded program.
2. Prescription: You have a Wegovy prescription that is FDA-approved.
3. Age and location: You are at least 18 years old and a resident of the U.S. or Puerto Rico.
4. Online form: Fill out a quick form on the Wegovy Savings Card website to check your eligibility.
5. Verification: The website will tell you if you qualify.

You can also talk to your doctor for more information and help with the application.

Once approved if you qualify, you’ll get your card. You can download it, have it emailed to you, or add it to your mobile wallet. Or you can have a physical copy sent to you.

Once you have your card use it at the pharmacy to save on Wegovy. Show the card to the pharmacist when you pick up your prescription.

How can I get Wegovy for free?

As mentioned above, you can get Wegovy for free with the Wegovy Savings Card, if you are a legal resident of the United States or Puerto Rico, are at least 18 years old, you are not enrolled in any government-sponsored insurance (e.g. Medicare, Medicaid, Medigap, etc.) and also meet these requirements:

• You must also be enrolled in a private or commercial drug insurance plan that covers Wegovy with out-of-pocket expenses that are less than $849 per month.
• Have a prescription for Wegovy that follows FDA-approved guidelines:
  • Chronic weight management chronic weight management in adults and children ages 12 and older with obesity (BMI of 30 or more) and overweight (BMI of 27 to 29.9) who also have weight-related health issues, like heart disease, type 2 diabetes, or high blood pressure
  • To reduce the risk of major cardiovascular events such as stroke or heart attack, in overweight and obese individuals with heart disease.

You may also be able to get Wegovy for free through your insurance plan if it’s listed on the drug formulary (list of covered drugs) and you’ve met the plan’s deductible and out-of-pocket maximum. Check with your insurance provider for coverage details.

There is no specific patient assistance program for Wegovy, but if you’re prescribed Wegovy to reduce the serious risk of heart failure, or if you have type 2 diabetes, you can ask your doctor to switch to Ozempic. Ozempic is similar to Wegovy and is covered under the NovoCare Patient Assistance Program, which may help you get the medication for free or at a reduced cost if you meet eligibility requirements.

You may be able to get an ongoing supply of Ozempic for free through the Novo Nordisk Patient Assistance Program if you meet certain requirements:

• Your annual household income is at or below 400% of the federal poverty level (FPL)
• You have Medicare or are uninsured (you are not eligible if have any commercial or private insurance)
• You do not qualify for or are not enrolled in any other federal, state, or government program such as Medicaid, Low Income Subsidy (LIS), or Veterans Affairs (VA) Benefits
• You are a legal resident of the United States or its territories
• You were prescribed brand-name Ozempic for an FDA-approved indication like type 2 diabetes or to reduce the risk of major adverse cardiovascular events (such as cardiovascular death, heart attack, and stroke) by a licensed U.S. healthcare provider

If approved for the patient assistance program, you’ll be enrolled for 12 months (uninsured patients) or until the end of the calendar year (Medicare patients).

Novo Nordisk typically processes new applications within 2 business days and sends an acceptance letter to the patient if approved. Once approved, the medication should arrive at the patient’s prescriber’s office within 10-14 business days. Most medications are automatically refilled for the duration of the enrollment period.

Uninsured patients will need to submit a new application 30 days before the end of their enrollment period, and Medicare Part D patients can apply after October 15 of the current year, if they’d like to continue receiving free Ozempic.

You can apply on the Novo Nordisk Patient Assistance Program website to find out if you are qualified to receive free Ozempic.

Alternatively, you can also ask your healthcare provider if they can provide you with free samples. Novo Nordisk provides access to complimentary prescription medication samples to eligible providers for appropriate patients. However, this is not a long-term solution as you’ll likely be provided a one-time, one-month supply of free medication.

How to save on Wegovy

Wegovy is only available as a brand-name medication and there are no generics yet. But there are still ways to save.

Keep reading to learn more about how you can save on the cost of Wegovy with or without insurance coverage. If you have an insurance plan that covers Wegovy for your prescribed medical condition, you’ll pay less for the medication. With or without insurance, savings programs, manufacturer discounts, and coupons can help to make Wegovy more affordable.

Check your prescription coverage

If you have insurance, check the drug formulary (list of covered drugs) or contact your insurance provider to verify if Wegovy is covered for your prescribed diagnosis. All insurance plans, including Medicare and Medicaid, have a formulary, which is a list of covered drugs in a tier system. Higher tiers have higher out-of-pocket costs than lower tiers. As Wegovy is an expensive brand-name drug, it may be listed on a higher tier or not covered. If it’s not covered, you can consider submitting an exception request with the help of your provider or consider switching to a different insurance plan during the next open enrollment period.

If Wegovy is covered by your insurance plan, ask your insurance provider about the associated copay and deductible so you’ll know how much you’ll be spending out of pocket.

If Wegovy is covered by your insurance plan, you may be able to reduce your out-of-pocket costs by using the Wegovy Savings Card. If it’s not covered, you may be able to submit an exception request with the help of your healthcare provider.

Wegovy Savings Card

If you have private or commercial insurance that covers Wegovy, no government insurance (e.g. Medicare, Medicaid, Medigap, DoD, VA, or any other state or federal health insurance program), are a U.S. resident or its territories, have been prescribed Wegovy for one of its FDA approved indications (weight loss or to reduce the risk of major adverse cardiovascular events), you can pay $0 for a 1, 2 or 3 month supply of Wegovy with the Wegovy Savings Card.

The savings card program is valid for up to 24 months and has maximum savings of $225 for 28 days, $450 for 56 days, and $675 for 84 days. This offer is valid for 2 years with certain qualifications.

Apply now for the Wegovy Savings Card to see if you qualify.

Medicare savings

Medicare usually doesn’t cover Wegovy for weight loss. However, if you have heart disease and are overweight or obese, and your doctor prescribes Wegovy to reduce your risk of heart attack or stroke, Medicare may cover it. In March 2024, the FDA approved Wegovy for this indication.

If you’re on Medicare, you can’t use the Wegovy Savings Card, but you can still use coupons from prescription drug discount sites, with or without insurance. If the reintroduced Reduce and Treat Obesity Act is passed, Medicare would cover Wegovy under its prescription drug plan.

Compare pharmacy prices

Your local pharmacy may not necessarily have the lowest prices for all medications including Wegovy. Prices vary vastly by pharmacies across the U.S. and it’s highly recommended to compare prices across multiple pharmacies to get the best possible deal on your medication.

Wegovy coupons and discount cards

You can obtain Wegovy coupons or Wegovy prescription discount cards through prescription drug savings companies like GoodRx, WellRx, OptumPerks, and SingleCare which offer prescription discounts of up to 80%. These coupons work at pharmacies near you without insurance. Prices vary by quantity, pharmacy, location, and medication form.

90-day refills

Some mail-order pharmacies offer discounts on a 3-month supply of medications. Ordering a 90-day supply at a time to your home can also be more convenient. Eligibility may vary by your insurance plan’s quantity limits.

Ask your healthcare provider about free samples

You can speak to your healthcare provider about obtaining free samples that are typically provided when a patient initiates treatment. Pharmaceutical manufacturer provides doctors and clinics with free samples of their medications to help appropriate patients get started on treatment. However, this is not a sustainable strategy as samples are typically provided for up to one month.

Talk to your healthcare provider about Wegovy alternatives

If your insurance plan won’t cover Wegovy, you can speak with your healthcare provider about switching to a cheaper Wegovy alternative.

Wegovy is a GLP-1 receptor agonist medication used to treat obesity, support long-term weight management, and reduce the risk of heart problems related to obesity. Other GLP-1s on the market may be cheaper than Wegovy or covered by your insurance. The actual price you pay for each medication varies by pharmacy, location, quantity, and insurance coverage.

Is there a cheaper Wegovy alternative?

If you are still unable to get Wegovy at a price you can afford, you can consider speaking with your healthcare provider about Wegovy alternatives including:

Compounded semaglutide and compounded tirzepatide

Compounded medications are supplied by licensed compounding pharmacies using the same active ingredients as the brand-name drug.

Given current FDA shortages, you can get compounded semaglutide (the same active ingredient as Ozempic and Wegovy) and compounded tirzepatide (the same active ingredient as Mounjaro and Zepbound). No insurance is required.

Ozempic (semaglutide)

Ozempic is a once-weekly injectable medication for type 2 diabetes and contains the same active ingredient as Wegovy, semaglutide. It Is used off-label for weight loss.

Novo Nordisk has a savings card program for Ozempic. If eligible, you can pay only $25/month.

The average retail price for a one-month supply is $935.77 to $994.85.

Mounjaro (tirzepatide)

Mounjaro is a brand-name injectable medication approved for type 2 diabetes, manufactured by Eli Lilly. Mounjaro activates GIP and GLP-1 pathways to help control blood sugar in people with type 2 diabetes and helps with losing weight.

The average retail price for a one-month supply of Mounjaro is $1,086.76 for a pack of pens.

Eli Lilly offers a savings card program for Mounjaro. If eligible, you can pay only $25 per month.

Zepbound (tirzepatide)

Zepbound is another brand-name GLP-1/GIP injectable medication with the same active ingredient as Mounjaro, tirzepatide, and is approved for chronic weight management in adults who are obese or overweight with at least one weight-related condition, and was recently approved for obstructive sleep apnea. It’s an ideal option if you were prescribed weight loss medication and have insurance coverage for Zepbound.

Eli Lilly offers a savings card program for Zepbound. If eligible, you can pay only $25 per month.

Saxenda (liraglutide)

Saxenda is another GLP-1 medication with the same active ingredient as Victoza, liraglutide. It’s prescribed for chronic weight management in combination with a reduced-calorie diet and increased physical activity in adults with obesity or overweight.

Novo Nordisk offers a savings card program for Saxenda. If eligible, you can get Saxendra for as low as $25 per month.

Victoza (liraglutide)

Victoza is a prescription injectable medication for controlling blood sugar control in people with type 2 diabetes and also helps people lose weight.

The average retail price for a one-month supply of Victoza is $1,185.50 for a pack of 3 pens.

Victoza is covered by Novo Nordisk’s Patient Assistance Program. However, Novo Nordisk doesn’t provide a savings card program for Victoza.

Rybelsus (semaglutide)

Rybelsus is another brand-name GLP-1 medication with the same active ingredient as Wegovy and Ozempic, semaglutide. It’s the oral version of semaglutide, FDA-approved for controlling blood sugar levels in adults with type 2 diabetes. It’s also used off-label for weight loss.

The average retail price for a one-month supply of Rybelsus is $994.86.

Rybelsus is included in the Novo Nordisk PAP for eligible individuals. Novo Nordisk also offers a savings program that provides access to Rybelsus to eligible individuals for as low as $10 per month.

Byetta (exenatide) and BYDUREON BCise (exenatide extended-release)

Byetta (exenatide) and BYDUREON BCise (exenatide extended-release) are medications for blood sugar control, but they can also help with weight loss.

Byetta is injected twice a day, while BYDUREON BCise is a once-a-week injection.

AstraZeneca is the manufacturer of both medications and offers a savings program for BYDUREON BCise. Those eligible may be able to pay $0 for the BYDUREON BCise.

Trulicity (dulaglutide)

Trulicity is a once-a-week injection that helps control blood sugar in people with type 2 diabetes. It can also be used off-label for weight loss.

The average retail price for a one-month supply of Trulicity is $989.72. To save money, you can check out prescription discount cards and the Trulicity savings program.

Bottom line

Wegovy is an expensive medication that costs about $1,300 per month without insurance coverage.

If you have private or commercial insurance that covers Wegovy, you can pay $0 for a month’s supply with the Wegovy Savings Card.

Even if your commercial insurance doesn’t cover Wegovy or you don’t have insurance, the Wegovy Savings Card can help lower your out-of-pocket costs, making the medication more affordable.

If you’re eligible, this is a great way to save money on your Wegovy prescription. Check if you qualify for the Wegovy savings card today and download the savings card to make your weight loss medication more affordable.

You can also speak with your healthcare provider about other options including alternative medications that may be less expensive or covered by your insurance plan.