Skip to main content
Drug Info

Does Kaiser cover Wegovy?

Kaiser Permanente's coverage of Wegovy (semaglutide) depends on several factors
Emily Breaux headshot
By | Jun. 5, 2025 Medically reviewed by Leslie Greenberg, MD
An insurance card, stethoscope, and medication: Does Kaiser cover Wegovy?

Key takeaways

  • Wegovy is an FDA-approved prescription drug prescribed for weight loss. It’s injected under the skin weekly and is paired with exercise and a modified diet to help manage weight. 

  • Some Kaiser Permanente insurance plans may cover Wegovy, but coverage varies by plan and location. 

  • Without insurance, Wegovy costs about $1,842 for a 30-day supply. 

In this article:

Wegovy (semaglutide) is a prescription glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) medication approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to reduce excess body weight and maintain weight reduction in people ages 12 and older with a diagnosis of obesity or in adults who are overweight with a weight-related health condition. It is also approved to reduce the risk of major adverse cardiovascular events in adults who have cardiovascular disease and are either overweight or have obesity. More insurance plans are starting to cover Wegovy, although they may be more likely to cover it for cardiovascular risk reduction than for weight loss alone. 

Does Kaiser cover Wegovy?

Wegovy is covered by some insurance providers, including United Healthcare and Kaiser Permanente. However, that doesn’t mean that every Kaiser plan will cover Wegovy, and even if it does, the amount of cost-sharing the patient is responsible for (such as copays and coinsurance) also varies by plan. Kaiser Permanente is unique from other insurance providers—it’s both a health insurance provider and a hospital system. Kaiser Permanente serves California, Colorado, Georgia, Hawaii, Maryland, Oregon, Virginia, Washington, and the District of Columbia. 

Patient coverage and premiums vary by location and plan. For example, Kaiser Permanente Northwest Region covers Wegovy as a prescription drug benefit if patients meet the following criteria: 

  • Have been diagnosed with chronic weight management
  • Are 18 years or older 
  • Have documented their current weight and body mass index (BMI)
  • Are actively following a diet and exercise program
  • Have a BMI of 30 or higher or have a BMI of 27 or higher, plus hypertension, diabetes, or hyperlipidemia 
  • Failed a three-month trial or has an allergy, intolerance, or contraindication to phentermine, diethylpropion, Qsymia, and Contrave
  • Failed a three-month trial of Ozempic 

Medicare doesn’t cover medications strictly for weight loss, so Kaiser Medicare Part D plans typically won’t cover Wegovy for weight loss alone. Medicare Advantage plans may cover Wegovy for weight loss, but coverage varies by plan. Kaiser Medicare Part D plans are more likely to cover Wegovy for cardiovascular risk in people who are overweight or have obesity, however. 

Kaiser Permanente offers Medicaid coverage in select states. Some Medicaid plans may cover Wegovy, but eligibility requirements and coverage vary by state.  

Always check with your insurance provider for your plan’s most up-to-date coverage information. You can contact Kaiser Pharmacy Services in your region to confirm your medication benefits and out-of-pocket costs.    

How much does Wegovy cost without insurance?

Wegovy costs about $1,842 for a 30-day supply (four injection pens) without insurance. The total cost will also vary by pharmacy and location. 

How much does Wegovy cost with Kaiser?

Since very few plans cover Wegovy for weight loss, it’s difficult to find an average copay. The cost of Wegovy depends on your Kaiser Permanente plan and location. 

For the most up-to-date coverage and cost information, contact your plan administrator. 

How to check whether your Kaiser plan covers Wegovy 

Novo Nordisk, the manufacturer of Wegovy, has a short online questionnaire you can use to check if your insurance company plan covers the weight loss drug. To check your coverage, you’ll answer the following: 

  • Whether you’re a patient or a caregiver 
  • The type of prescription insurance plan you have (e.g., private health insurance, Medicaid, Medicare Part D, VA coverage, or Tricare)
  • Patient and medical provider information 

After you’ve submitted this information, you’ll be notified whether you qualify for coverage and the average cost based on your insurance plan. 

You may need prior authorization for Wegovy coverage. Prior authorization is a common step that most health insurance plans use to determine whether a prescribed medication is medically necessary, in their opinion. If your Kaiser Permanente plan requires prior authorization for Wegovy, your healthcare provider will submit a form to Kaiser explaining why they recommend the medication. Your provider can best fill out this arduous form after they know which medications you have taken in the past, for how long, and why that medication did not work (allergy or side effect). Kaiser then decides whether to approve the treatment to receive coverage. Kaiser may deny coverage and recommend an alternative treatment or treatments. Your healthcare provider can appeal this decision if there’s no alternative available, but this appeal may not be successful either. 

“Wegovy is adjunctive, not a standalone solution,” says Melanie Abeyta, Aesthetic Nurse Practitioner, Licensed Master Injector, Longevity Coach, and Owner of Harmony Aesthetics Center in Los Angeles, California. “It’s most effective when combined with lifestyle changes and behavioral support, such as a calorie-restricted, nutrient-dense diet and regular physical activity at least three times a week.” Abeyta also emphasizes that patients taking Wegovy should set realistic goals, follow dosing instructions, and administer weekly injections at the same time and day each week. 

How to save on Wegovy

If your Kaiser Permanente plan doesn’t cover Wegovy, you can use a SingleCare prescription discount card to save up to $600 each month on your prescription. SingleCare discount cards are completely free and have no fees, premiums, or expiration dates. You can request a physical card to be mailed to you, or you can simply request a digital card by text. You can also use the SingleCare app to show your pharmacist your card. You’ll then receive a discounted cash price for Wegovy when you pick up your prescription.  

Even if your Kaiser policy offers some coverage for Wegovy, the SingleCare prescription discount card may be a more affordable option. Compare pharmacy coupon discounts here.  

Learn more about other ways to save money on Wegovy, including Wegovy alternatives that may be more affordable. 

If you’re considering a prescription or over-the-counter medication for weight loss, always speak with your healthcare provider first. They’ll help you find the best option for your condition, lifestyle, and budget.