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How much does Ozempic cost? | Free Ozempic | Ozempic savings | Ozempic alternatives
If you have Type 2 diabetes, your healthcare provider may prescribe Ozempic (semaglutide) as part of your diabetes treatment plan. Ozempic is a once-weekly antidiabetic prescription medication that can help you manage your Type 2 diabetes by improving blood sugar control. It is not for use in people with Type 1 diabetes. Ozempic belongs to a drug class called glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonists, or GLP-1 agonists.
“These medications work by enhancing the effect of the naturally occurring hormone GLP-1,” says Aleem Kanji, MD, a board-certified endocrinologist and obesity medicine physician at Ethos Endocrinology in Houston. “Ozempic promotes insulin release by the beta-cells of the pancreas, slows the emptying of the stomach, and promotes the feeling of fullness by acting on the brain—particularly at the level of the hypothalamus.”
Ozempic is used along with diet and exercise to improve blood sugar (glucose) levels and lower hemoglobin A1C (also known as HbA1c or A1C), a test used to monitor how well you’re managing blood sugar levels over a period of two or three months. It also reduces the risk of major cardiovascular (CV) events including heart attack and stroke in those with known heart disease. Some prescribers have also started using Ozempic off-label for weight loss. Like many diabetes medications, Ozempic is expensive. However, there are ways to save on your next prescription.
RELATED: Ozempic side effects and how to avoid them
How much does Ozempic cost?
The average retail price for one pen injector containing 3 mL of 4 mg/3 mL of Ozempic is $1,199. The average retail price for one pen injector containing 1.5 mL of 2 mg/1.5 mL of Ozempic is $1,238. These are the average cash prices of Ozempic before insurance or discounts are applied.
The price of Ozempic varies based on several factors. These include the pharmacy you use, your insurance coverage, and the dosage of medication you’re prescribed.
Many insurance plans, as well as Medicare and Medicaid, will cover Ozempic. However, your copay (or out-of-pocket costs) with insurance will vary by plan and what stage of coverage you’re in. For example, your Ozempic copay will likely be higher until you meet your deductible.
Medicare Part D plans cover many diabetes drugs including Ozempic. The Medicare Plan Finder tool allows you to find Medicare plans that cover your specific prescriptions.
RELATED: Does Medicare cover diabetic supplies?
Medicaid coverage also varies by state and plan. Some states may cover Ozempic with no out-of-pocket costs. For example, the Healthy Indiana Plan Plus covers Ozempic with prior authorization, according to Anthem. However, its quantities are limited. This means you will only be able to fill a specific number of Ozempic prescriptions per month.
Healthcare professionals will work with pharmacies and insurance providers to obtain approval for your medication. The prior authorization will have to be done before your insurance plan will pick up the cost of Ozempic. Some insurance providers may also require patients to complete step therapy, which means trying a different, less expensive medication first.
Can I get Ozempic for free?
If you have met your plan’s deductible or out-of-pocket maximum, insurance may cover 100% of Ozempic costs.
Novo Nordisk, the manufacturer of Ozempic, also has a patient assistance program that may help cut costs. The Novo Nordisk Patient Assistance Program (PAP) offers free medication to people who meet certain income and insurance requirements.
To qualify, you must be a U.S. citizen or legal resident and have a household income at or below the 400% federal poverty level. Those without insurance or Medicare coverage may be eligible, but people with Medicaid, commercial health insurance, or Veterans Benefits do not qualify.
If you’re in a pinch and waiting on prior authorization from insurance, your healthcare provider may be able to provide a free sample of Ozempic. However, this is not a sustainable strategy to get free Ozempic. You’ll likely only be provided with a month’s worth of medication.
RELATED: How to get free diabetic supplies
How to save money on Ozempic
There are other ways to save money on your Ozempic prescription. Savings cards, patient assistance, and manufacturer coupons are just a few resources that may help lower your out-of-pocket costs.
“Speaking with your primary care physician or endocrinologist and asking about potential resources to assist with obtaining medications is a good first step,” Dr. Kanji explains. “I also recommend exploring patient assistance programs through the pharmaceutical manufacturers.”
1. Free Ozempic coupons
SingleCare is a free online service that offers prescription discounts up to 80% off. Our Ozempic savings cards can save you hundreds of dollars off your prescription costs. With SingleCare, your Ozempic could be as little as $755 for one pen-injector (a savings of $445 per pen). Get your free SingleCare discount card here.
SingeCare’s prices vary based on quantity, strength, and the form of medication you take. The discount works for both brand-name and generic medications, so you can save on more than Ozempic.
Ozempic 1 mg/dose coupons | Ozempic 0.25 or 0.5 mg/dose coupons
2. Novo Nordisk Patient Assistance Program
As mentioned above, the Novo Nordisk Patient Assistance Program (PAP) may be able to help you get free medication. However, you must meet certain income and insurance requirements so this savings method is not applicable to everyone on Ozempic.
3. Novo Nordisk Ozempic Savings Card
People with commercial or private insurance may also qualify for the Ozempic Savings Card from Novo Nordisk. The card offers a maximum savings of up to $150 per month or $450 for a three-month supply for those with private or commercial health insurance. This offer is only good for two years and eligibility requirements apply.
4. Medicare savings programs
Extra Help is a low-income subsidy for people with Medicare Part D coverage. It helps lower Part D costs, including copays for prescriptions like Ozempic. If you qualify in 2022, you could pay just $8.85 for brand-name drugs or 15% of your coinsurance or copay—whichever is less.
Medicare has also rolled out its Senior Savings Model, which is a new program that offers discounts on insulin for seniors. The discount varies, but Medicare consumers with diabetes can expect to pay a maximum of $35 per month for their insulin. Ozempic is not insulin but some people take Ozempic and insulin together. The Senior Savings Model won’t save you money on Ozempic but it will lower the cost of insulin, making your diabetes treatment more affordable.
RELATED: How to afford insulin on Medicare
5. 90-day supply refills
Some mail-order pharmacies offer a three-month supply of medication for cheaper than retail pharmacies. This can be a great way to reduce your prescription drug costs on long-term medications, including Ozempic. It also has the benefit of being more convenient, as the medication arrives at your home in 90-day increments. Eligibility varies based on your insurance plan.
6. Compare prices
It’s always a good idea to compare prices at local pharmacies before filling your prescription. Prices can vary widely, so it’s worth taking the time to shop around.
7. Check your prescription coverage
Be sure to check your prescription coverage before filling your Ozempic prescription. All insurance plans (including Medicare and Medicaid) have their own formulary. This is a list of drugs the plan covers ranked in a tier system. The higher the tier, the more you’ll pay out-of-pocket for that medication. As a brand-name-only drug, Ozempic may be placed on a higher tier—or not covered at all. If this is the case for you, it’s worth considering switching to a different health insurance plan during the next open enrollment period.
RELATED: ACA open enrollment | Medicare open enrollment
8. Switch medications
If your prior authorization for Ozempic is denied or if you don’t have health insurance at all, you could ask your healthcare provider to try cheaper alternatives to Ozempic. Use the table below to compare prices of some popular Ozempic alternatives.
Is there a cheaper alternative to Ozempic?
Ozempic is in a class of medications called GLP-1 agonists, which are used to help lower blood sugar levels in people with Type 2 diabetes. There are a few other GLP-1 agonists on the market that may be cheaper than Ozempic. Pricing varies based on your location, health insurance plan, and pharmacy. Other FDA-approved GLP-1 agonists include:
Compare prices of Ozempic alternatives |
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|---|---|---|---|
| Drug name | Price without insurance | SingleCare price | Coupons |
| Ozempic 0.25 or 0.5 mg/dose | $1,238 per 1, 1.5 mL of 2 mg/1.5 mL pen-injector | $755 per 1, 1.5 mL of 2 mg/1.5 mL pen-injector | See updated prices |
| $1,238 per pen-injector | $755 per pen-injector | ||
| Ozempic 1 mg/dose | $1,199 per 1, 3 mL of 4 mg/3 mL pen-injector | $755 per 1, 3 mL of 4 mg/3 mL pen-injector | See updated prices |
| $1,199 per pen-injector | $755 per pen-injector | ||
| Trulicity (dulaglutide) | $1,299 per 4, 0.5 mL of 1.5 mg/0.5 mL pen-injectors | $731 per 4, 0.5 mL of 1.5 mg/0.5 mL pen-injectors | See updated prices |
| $325 per pen-injector | $183 per pen-injector | ||
| Victoza (liraglutide) | $1,337 per 3, 3 mL of 18 mg/3 mL pen-injectors | $883 per 3, 3 mL of 18 mg/3 mL pen-injectors | See updated prices |
| $446 per pen-injector | $295 per pen-injector | ||
| Rybelsus (semaglutide) | $1,231 per 30, 7 mg tablets | $894 per 30, 7 mg tablets | See updated prices |
| $41 per tablet | $30 per tablet |
Prescription drug prices often change. These are the most accurate medication prices at the time of publishing.
Note: Ozempic and Trulicity are once-weekly injections whereas Victoza and Rybelsus are taken every day. You’ll want to take the monthly cost into account when comparing prices between Ozempic and other medications.
Never stop taking your medication without seeking medical advice from your healthcare provider. They’ll work with you to recommend the best treatment for your individual needs
