Does TRICARE cover Ozempic?

In this article:

• Does TRICARE cover Ozempic?
• How much is Ozempic without insurance?
• How much does Ozempic cost with TRICARE?
• How to check whether your TRICARE plan covers Ozempic
• How to save on Ozempic

In this article

• Does TRICARE cover Ozempic?
• How much is Ozempic without insurance?
• How much does Ozempic cost with TRICARE?
• How to check whether your TRICARE plan covers Ozempic
• How to save on Ozempic

Ozempic is a brand-name prescription drug that the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved for Type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular risk reduction, and kidney disease in adults. Healthcare providers may also prescribe Ozempic off-label (a non-FDA-approved use) for weight loss and long-term weight management. Ozempic is part of a group of drugs called glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonists (GLP-1s) and contains the active ingredient semaglutide. If you are prescribed this once-weekly injectable medicine, you may want to know whether your TRICARE plan provides coverage, since Ozempic can be expensive without insurance or prescription discounts. 

Does TRICARE cover Ozempic?

Many TRICARE plans provide coverage of Ozempic for Type 2 diabetes, although coverage varies by plan.   

In order for TRICARE to cover Ozempic, you’ll need to meet the clinical criteria for Type 2 diabetes and have your healthcare provider submit a prior authorization form. As of Aug. 31, 2025, your healthcare provider will also have to submit proof of medical necessity, but only if you choose to have your Ozempic prescription filled at a military pharmacy and pay the lower formulary copay. If you fill your prescription at a retail or mail-order pharmacy, a prior authorization should suffice. This coverage also applies to similar drugs like Mounjaro, Victoza, and Trulicity. 

Currently, TRICARE covers Ozempic for Type 2 diabetes, but not for weight loss. If you have TRICARE and want coverage for weight loss medication, you may want to consider Wegovy (semaglutide), Zepbound (tirzepatide), Saxenda (liraglutide), Qsymia (phentermine-topiramate ER), phentermine, or Contrave. TRICARE may cover those medications for weight loss, but only for certain beneficiary groups. Coverage also depends on your condition and certain criteria. Prior authorization and step therapy, which involves trying more affordable options first, are required.

RELATED: Wegovy vs. Ozempic │Zepbound vs. Ozempic

How much is Ozempic without insurance?

If you are paying without insurance, a typical prescription of Ozempic (one 3 mL pen containing 2 mg/3 mL) costs about $1,387. By using a SingleCare card or coupon, you can pay as low as $825 for your Ozempic pen—a savings of $562 each time you fill your prescription. 

RELATED: Does Kaiser cover Ozempic?

How much does Ozempic cost with TRICARE?

There are several options in terms of pharmacies where you can fill your Ozempic prescription with TRICARE, and your cost may vary by pharmacy:

• Military Treatment Facility (MTF) pharmacy: This is the primary pharmacy option for active duty service members. Prescriptions are typically filled at no cost ($0) at an MTF, but coverage rules still apply—Ozempic is considered non-formulary and requires both prior authorization and a medical necessity form. Non-active duty beneficiaries may also use MTF pharmacies and may pay a reduced copay.
• TRICARE Home Delivery (mail order): Up to a 90-day supply is available for $76 for non-active duty beneficiaries, with prior authorization required.
• Retail pharmacies in the TRICARE network: A 30-day supply is typically $76 for non-active duty beneficiaries, with prior authorization required.

Because coverage and out-of-pocket costs can vary depending on your status, the pharmacy you use to fill your prescription, and any policy updates, it’s always best to check your exact cost and coverage through the TRICARE Formulary Search Tool or by calling member services.

How to check whether your TRICARE plan covers Ozempic 

You can visit the Novo Nordisk NovoCare site to see if your TRICARE plan covers Ozempic. Select government insurance, which includes TRICARE, and enter the required information to find out more about your benefits on your specific TRICARE health plan. 

You can also check the TRICARE Formulary Search feature. On this website, you will enter the drug Ozempic, select the prescribed dose, and enter your biological gender and age. The results will show different options based on your pharmacy (military pharmacy, mail order pharmacy, or retail pharmacy) and whether you are active duty or not active duty. Ozempic typically requires a prior authorization under TRICARE, which means your healthcare provider will have to submit information to your plan as to why this medicine is medically necessary, and then the plan will make a coverage decision. 

You can also call your TRICARE representative directly to find out more about Ozempic cost and coverage. Another way to find out about Ozempic coverage on your TRICARE plan is to have your healthcare provider send the prescription to your preferred pharmacy. The pharmacy staff will process the prescription and may be able to initiate the prior authorization process. 

How to save on Ozempic

One of the best ways to save money on Ozempic is by using a SingleCare coupon. It’s free to use, and you can use the discount every month to save hundreds of dollars on your prescription. SingleCare is accepted at over 35,000 pharmacies in the U.S. and Puerto Rico.

There are also other ways to save on Ozempic. The manufacturer’s website lists various savings options. However, these options have eligibility criteria and are typically only for people with commercial health insurance (or who are uninsured)—people with government insurance plans such as TRICARE do not qualify for these offers. You can also check prices at various pharmacies to see who has the best prices—what’s more, some pharmacies may offer a discount if you purchase a larger quantity up front (such as a three-month supply). It’s also a good idea to ask your pharmacist or healthcare provider if they know of any local resources in your community that can help pay for the cost of your medicines.

If you have tried all available options to save on Ozempic and the price is still expensive, you can talk to your healthcare provider about other alternatives that are just as effective and fit your treatment plan.