How much is Mounjaro without insurance?

In this article:

• Mounjaro cost without insurance
• Costs by dose
• Is Mounjaro covered by insurance?
• How to get coverage
• Cheapest way to get Mounjaro
• Compounded tirzepatide

In this article

• Mounjaro cost without insurance
• Costs by dose
• Is Mounjaro covered by insurance?
• How to get coverage
• Cheapest way to get Mounjaro
• Compounded tirzepatide

Mounjaro (tirzepatide) is a brand-name prescription drug that lowers blood sugar levels in people diagnosed with Type 2 diabetes. Without insurance coverage, a 28-day supply of Mounjaro costs about $1,519. There is no generic version of Mounjaro, but uninsured patients still have other options to save money.

How much does Mounjaro cost without insurance?

Without insurance coverage, the retail price for a 28-day supply of Mounjaro (4, 0.5 mL of 5 mg/0.5 mL auto-injector pens) is about $1,519. That means each weekly dose costs up to $380. At the full retail price, a calendar year of Mounjaro treatment will cost over $18,000.

People without insurance should ask the prescribing doctor about other prescription medications similar to Mounjaro, called glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) receptor agonists. Unfortunately, most other GLP-1 agonists are premium-priced brand-name medications too, but they may cost a little less than Mounjaro. They include Ozempic (semaglutide), Trulicity (dulaglutide), Saxenda (liraglutide), and Victoza (liraglutide). Generic liraglutide is currently available and is priced lower. 

With superior efficacy compared to other members of the drug class, Mounjaro may be worth the price for some people. Switching from an alternative like Ozempic to Mounjaro requires a careful conversation with your healthcare provider.

If you are taking a GLP-1 agonist for weight loss without a diagnosis of Type 2 diabetes, it may be beneficial to use those approved for the weight-loss indication, such as Zepbound (tirzepatide) or Wegovy (semaglutide). Wegovy is available in both injectable and tablet forms. Rybelsus (semaglutide), a once-a-day oral tablet for Type 2 diabetes, is another alternative that could save hundreds of dollars per month.

If the monthly cost of any of these drugs proves too challenging, ask the prescriber for medical advice about other Type 2 diabetes medications that have not yet been tried. Many are available in low-priced generic versions. However, their effectiveness will differ, as will side effects and drug interactions. Most do not dramatically affect body weight as much as the GLP-1 agonists do.

The best alternative may be to use a SingleCare prescription discount card. People using SingleCare at a participating pharmacy could pay as little as $872 for a 28-day supply of Mounjaro.

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Compare Mounjaro prices to related drugs
Drug name	Price without insurance of brand-name drug	SingleCare price	Savings options
Mounjaro (tirzepatide)	$1,519 per 4, 0.5 mL of 5 mg/0.5 mL single-dose auto-injector pens	$872 per 4, 0.5 mL of 5 mg/0.5 mL single dose auto-injector pens of brand-name Mounjaro	See latest prices
Zepbound (tirzepatide)	$660 per 1, 2.4 mL of 2.5 mg/0.6 mL multidose KwikPens	$409 per 1, 2.4 mL of 2.5 mg/0.6 mL multidose KwikPens of brand-name Zepbound	See latest prices
Ozempic (semaglutide)	$1,398 per 1, 3 mL of 2 mg/3 mL multidose pen	$792 per 1, 3 mL of 2 mg/3 mL multidose pen of brand-name Ozempic	See latest prices
Wegovy (semaglutide)	$1,804 per 30, 1.5 mg tablets	$1,011 per 30, 1.5 mg tablets of brand-name Wegovy	See latest prices
Trulicity (dulaglutide)	$1,397 per 4, 0.5 mL of 1.5 mg/0.5 mL single dose pens	$825 per 4, 0.5 mL of 1.5 mg/0.5 mL single dose pens of brand-name Trulicity	See latest prices
Saxenda (liraglutide)	$1,899 per 5, 3 mL of 18 mg/3 mL multidose pens	$701 per 5, 3 mL of 18 mg/3 mL multidose pens of generic liraglutide	See latest prices
Victoza (liraglutide)	$1,403 per 3, 3 mL of 18 mg/3 mL multidose pen injectors	$429 per 3, 3 mL of 18 mg/3 mL multidose pens of generic liraglutide	See latest prices
Rybelsus (semaglutide)	$1,370 per 30, 14 mg tablets	$903 per 30, 14 mg tablets of brand-name Rybelsus	See latest prices

RELATED: Mounjaro (tirzepatide) alternatives: What can I take instead of Mounjaro?

Mounjaro costs by dose

The typical maintenance Mounjaro dose is 5-15 mg, injected weekly, after starting at 2.5 mg for the first 4 weeks. Within that range, the dose is increased by 2.5 mg increments as needed to control diabetes better. Retail prices do not vary based on dosage strength. There is no lower-priced generic version, and the earliest it may be available is between 2028 and 2036.

Compare Mounjaro prices by strength
(per 4, 0.5 mL pen)
Strength	SingleCare price of brand-name
2.5 mg/0.5 mL of Mounjaro	$872
5 mg/0.5 mL of Mounjaro	$872
7.5 mg/0.5 mL of Mounjaro	$872
10 mg/0.5 mL of Mounjaro	$872
12.5 mg/0.5 mL of Mounjaro	$872
15 mg/0.5 mL of Mounjaro	$872
See our lowest price for Mounjaro without insurance

Is Mounjaro covered by insurance?

Some commercial insurance plans and Medicare Part D drug plans cover Mounjaro for Type 2 diabetes, but some don’t. Before filling a prescription, check with the insurance provider. Insurance plans covering Mounjaro tend to place the drug in their highest copay tier. Some plans may prefer a different GLP-1 agonist drug. The copay cost could be high. The final out-of-pocket costs may also include deductibles, coinsurance, and coverage gap costs.

Medicaid may or may not cover a Mounjaro prescription, depending on the state. The VA and Tricare classify Mounjaro as non-formulary, so a prescription will only be covered with prior authorization if certain criteria are met.

How to get Mounjaro covered by insurance

Even when health insurance plans cover Mounjaro, there is a good chance coverage will be denied if step-therapy requirements are not met. Prior authorization or previous treatment with other drugs is often necessary. Coverage is almost certain to be refused if the drug is being prescribed for weight loss or any other off-label use. If coverage is denied, talk to an insurance company representative. They will let you know what you and the prescribing healthcare provider need to do or forms you need to submit before coverage is considered. 

Federal and state governments are working to make GLP-1 agonists like Mounjaro more affordable. The Inflation Reduction Act set in motion negotiations targeting key medications, with GLP-1 agonists as a focus. Another example is the Medicare GLP-1 Bridge program, which will make these medications $50 per month if certain eligibility criteria are met. Keep checking for updates on Medicare and Medicaid drug pricing programs. With generic Mounjaro not coming anytime soon, the programs are even more important in making it accessible.

What is the cheapest way to get Mounjaro without insurance?

With a monthly price tag of $1,519, Mounjaro can be challenging to purchase month after month. Patient assistance programs, savings cards, and rebates may help, but many people may not meet strict eligibility requirements. Fortunately, there are other options that are more certain to save money. 

1. Use a SingleCare prescription discount card

With a SingleCare Mounjaro coupon, uninsured patients can get Mounjaro for as little as $872. Check the current prices on SingleCare’s Mounjaro discount coupon page. While there, make sure to sign up for SingleCare’s membership program. This can net bonus savings on refills or future drug purchases.

2. Shop around for the lowest price

Comparing pharmacy prices can save up to $127. That’s an example of the difference between the lowest and highest pharmacy prices for Mounjaro with a SingleCare discount. You can easily compare prices from different pharmacies on the SingleCare Mounjaro coupon page. 

3. Ask the prescriber about other GLP-1 drugs

The prescribing healthcare professional may be able to recommend another brand-name prescription medication similar to Mounjaro, a GLP-1 receptor agonist. These alternative GLP-1 medications may cost hundreds of dollars less per month than Mounjaro.

4. Ask the prescriber for medical advice about cheaper diabetes drugs

Ask the prescribing healthcare provider for advice about alternative blood glucose-lowering drugs that haven’t been tried. Many diabetes management medications are available as generics, so the cost could be dramatically lower than Mounjaro. 

5. Ask the prescriber about other weight loss medications

If Mounjaro is prescribed off-label for weight management, then insurance won’t help. Everyone will pay the full cash price. If that price is too much, consider switching to another weight loss drug such as Xenical (orlistat) and Lomaira (phentermine).

What about compounded tirzepatide?

When Mounjaro was officially in short supply according to the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), compounding pharmacies were permitted to compound tirzepatide. The shortage designation was removed in 2025, meaning that compound tirzepatide is no longer allowed. Safety and efficacy concerns swirl around any compound version remaining on the market. It is best to talk to your healthcare provider and learn more about the differences between brand-name and compound tirzepatide.