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Key takeaways
United Healthcare may cover Mounjaro for Type 2 diabetes but not weight loss.
Mounjaro is typically listed as a Tier 2 or 3 medication, making it a mid-range cost drug.
Coverage for Mounjaro may require prior authorization and could be subject to quantity limits.
Mounjaro (tirzepatide) is a brand-name prescription drug approved to treat Type 2 diabetes in adults. It’s given as a weekly subcutaneous injection to help manage glucose levels, but since no generic version is available, it may be costly for some. If you’ve been prescribed Mounjaro, you may wonder: Does United Healthcare (UHC) cover Mounjaro? Many UHC plans may include it, but coverage depends on the prescription drug benefit plan, the drug’s formulary tier, and specific cost-sharing rules.
Does United Healthcare cover Mounjaro?
United Healthcare may cover Mounjaro for Type 2 diabetes. However, there are important details to keep in mind.
First, you need prescription drug coverage as part of your insurance plan. And even if you do have prescription drug coverage, it may or may not cover Mounjaro. If it does cover Mounjaro, the cost will depend on your prescription drug list (PDL) or formulary—a list of drugs organized into tiers.
Mounjaro is typically a Tier 2 or 3 medication. While it’s not as accessible as a Tier 1 drug, it’s also not as costly as a Tier 5 drug.
In addition, coverage for Mounjaro may have certain requirements and limits, such as the following:
- Prior authorization: Your healthcare provider may need to provide a detailed explanation to your insurance company explaining why you need Mounjaro.
- Quantity limits: There may be restrictions on the amount of Mounjaro you can receive at one time. This means you could be limited in how much of the medication you can get with each prescription refill.
- Step therapy: You might need to try other medications first before your insurance will pay for Mounjaro. For example, some insurance companies might prefer you use a less expensive drug, such as metformin, before covering Mounjaro. If that doesn’t work, then they’ll reassess whether to cover Mounjaro.
Remember, the exact coverage and copays can vary based on the specific health plan. Always check with United Healthcare or your employer’s benefits administrator for the most accurate information.
Save up to 80% on Mounjaro with SingleCare Different pharmacies offer different prices for the same medication. SingleCare helps find the best price for you.
Does United Healthcare cover Mounjaro for weight loss?
United Healthcare plans may cover Mounjaro if it’s prescribed for Type 2 diabetes. Health insurance plans generally don’t cover Mounjaro for weight loss, as this would be an off-label use.
The active ingredient in Mounjaro, tirzepatide, is available under the brand name Zepbound for weight loss. Zepbound can be used for long-term weight management when combined with a low-calorie diet and increased physical activity. It is FDA approved for adults who:
- Have a BMI of 30 or higher (obesity)
- Have a BMI of 27 or higher (overweight) along with at least one medical condition related to weight, like high blood pressure, high cholesterol, Type 2 diabetes, sleep apnea, or heart disease
Like most health insurance plans, United Healthcare plans generally don’t cover weight-loss medications. In many cases, Mounjaro may be excluded from your prescription drug list or formulary if you’re taking it for weight loss.
In some cases, an insurance plan may cover other weight-loss drugs, such as Saxenda (liraglutide) or Wegovy (semaglutide). If your insurer covers Wegovy or Saxenda but they’re unavailable, your healthcare provider may be able to ask for a formulary exception to get Mounjaro approved as a substitute.
How much does Mounjaro cost?
If you don’t have insurance coverage or your insurance company denies your claim for Mounjaro, you may have to pay the retail cost of the medication. Without insurance, the average retail price for a one-month supply of Mounjaro is around $1,481. However, most people don’t end up paying the full list price for their prescription medications.
The retail cost of Mounjaro can depend on the quantity you buy and where you buy it. In many cases, you may be able to use manufacturer coupons or other savings options to reduce the cost of Mounjaro.
How to check whether your United Healthcare plan covers Mounjaro
You can find out if your UnitedHealthcare plan covers Mounjaro in a few different ways. Here are some potential ways to see if Mounjaro is covered.
Look at your insurance plan’s formulary
One of the first things you can do to check coverage for medications is check your plan’s formulary or prescription drug list. This list can usually be found on United Healthcare’s website or in your plan documents. Search for Mounjaro in the list to see its coverage status.
Contact United Healthcare directly
You can also call United Healthcare’s customer service phone number to speak with someone about your drug coverage. The phone number for pharmacy benefits is usually listed on your member ID card. When you call, have your member ID ready so they can quickly check whether Mounjaro is covered under your plan.
Check online resources
You can also log in to your United Healthcare account online. The account dashboard generally has a section for pharmacy or prescription benefits. Here, you may be able to search for specific medications like Mounjaro to see whether your specific plan covers it and, if so, how much it will cost.
Speak to your pharmacist
Your pharmacist can check whether your United Healthcare plan covers Mounjaro. They can explain how much it might cost and if there are any ways to save money. Since pharmacists have access to your insurance details, they can verify coverage and answer questions.
Check regularly for coverage updates
Drug coverage can change, so it’s important to check regularly. United Healthcare may also periodically mail or email notices about changes in coverage.
How to save on Mounjaro
If your insurance doesn’t cover Mounjaro or out-of-pocket costs are too high, there are several ways to save. These methods include discount cards, savings programs, and assistance options that may help reduce costs.
Use a SingleCare discount card
A SingleCare discount card can offer savings on Mounjaro prescriptions. You can visit the SingleCare website and search for Mounjaro. The price comparison tool allows you to see prices at various pharmacies and pick the most affordable option.
Mounjaro prices start at around $875 with SingleCare, depending on the pharmacy you choose. Once you find the best price, print or download the discount card and show it to the pharmacy. Remember that prices can change, so it’s a good idea to check often.
Diabetes Coupons & Discount Diabetic Supplies
Use a Mounjaro savings card from the manufacturer
The Mounjaro Savings Card from the manufacturer, Eli Lilly and Company, may help reduce costs for eligible patients who have commercial health insurance. If eligible, you could pay a reduced cost for a one-month or three-month prescription.
The savings card may have annual limits, so it’s important to check the terms and conditions. You can call the manufacturer or check their site for more information.
Use Medicare Extra Help
If you have Medicare and your plan covers Mounjaro for Type 2 diabetes, the Medicare Extra Help program may lower what you pay. This program helps with costs like Part D premiums, deductibles, and copays.
Some people qualify automatically, such as those with full Medicaid, help from the state for Part B premiums, or Supplemental Security Income. Others may need to apply to see if they’re eligible for the program.
RELATED: Does Medicare cover Mounjaro?
Compare prices at pharmacies
Prices for Mounjaro can vary between pharmacies. Comparing prices can help you find the best deal. Although you can call local pharmacies individually to ask what the current price is, it might be quicker to use SingleCare’s drug price look-up tool or its Mounjaro coupon page to view a list of local pharmacies with current Mounjaro costs.
Consult a healthcare provider for potential alternatives
Healthcare providers can give advice and recommend different medications if cost is a concern. They might prescribe a different, less expensive medication that works similarly to Mounjaro, such as a different GLP-1 agonist.
- Mounjaro highlights of prescribing information, Food and Drug Administration (2025)
- 2025 prescription drug list, United Healthcare (2025)
- Prescription drug lists (PDLs) for fully insured commercial plans (non-exchange), Eli Lilly and Company (n.d.)
- Help with drug costs, Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services