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Key takeaways
Ozempic (semaglutide) is a GLP-1 agonist approved to lower blood sugar levels in people with Type 2 diabetes.
A one-month supply of Ozempic typically costs $1,372 without insurance, but discounts are available for people without insurance.
Many health insurance plans, including Medicare Advantage, Medicare Part D, and Medicaid, cover Ozempic when prescribed for Type 2 diabetes.
Ozempic is not covered by insurance as a weight loss drug.
Ozempic (semaglutide) is a glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) agonist available by prescription that lowers blood sugar levels in people with Type 2 diabetes. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has also approved its use to prevent heart attacks and other cardiovascular events in people with both Type 2 diabetes and heart disease or to prevent end-stage kidney disease in people with Type 2 diabetes and chronic kidney disease. It is also used off-label as a weight loss medication.
Novocare, the manufacturer, has a list price for Ozempic of $997 for a single injection pen (a one-month supply), but the typical cash price at a pharmacy can be more than $1,300.
Save up to 80% on Ozempic with SingleCare
Different pharmacies offer different prices for the same medication. SingleCare helps find the best price for you.
How much does Ozempic cost without insurance?
So, how much is Ozempic without insurance? No matter the dosage strength, the typical cash price of Ozempic is $1,372 for a single injection pen. The pen contains enough medicine for four weekly doses at $342 per week, so the annual expense could reach $17,000.
RELATED: Cheapest semaglutide injection
There are no generic versions of semaglutide or other GLP-1 agonists. People without insurance should ask the prescribing healthcare provider about other types of antidiabetic drugs available as lower-priced generics, including metformin, sulfonylureas, meglitinides, and alpha-glucosidase inhibitors. These lower-cost drugs are all FDA-approved and effective at lowering blood glucose, but they may not be fully adequate substitutes for Ozempic.
RELATED: Get coupons for weight loss meds
| Drug name | Price without insurance of brand-name drug | SingleCare price | Savings options |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ozempic (semaglutide) | $1,372 per 1, 3 mL of 2 mg/3 mL auto-injector pen | $825 per 1, 3 mL of 2 mg/3 mL auto-injector pen of brand-name Ozempic | See latest prices |
| Wegovy
(semaglutide) | $1,842 per 4, 0.75ML of 2.4 mg/0.75 mL auto-injector pens | $1,225 per 4, 0.75ML of 2.4 mg/0.75 mL auto-injector pens of brand-name Wegovy | See latest prices |
| Rybelsus
(semaglutide) | $1,373 per 30, 7 mg tablets | $874 per 30, 7 mg tablets of brand-name Rybelsus | See latest prices |
| Mounjaro
(tirzepatide) | $1,470 per 4, 0.5 mL of 5 mg/0.5 mL auto-injector pens | $874 per 4, 0.5 mL of 5 mg/0.5 mL auto-injector pens of brand-name Mounjaro | See latest prices |
| Zepbound
(tirzepatide) | $1,522 per 4, 0.5 mL of 2.5 mg/0.5 mL auto-injector pens | $950 per 4, 0.5 mL of 2.5 mg/0.5 mL auto-injector pens of brand-name Zepbound | See latest prices |
| Victoza (liraglutide) | $1,440 per 3, 3 mL of 18 mg/3 mL auto-injector pens | $159 per 3, 3 mL of 18 mg/3 mL auto-injector pens of brand-name Victoza | See latest prices |
| Saxenda
(liraglutide) | $1,802 per
5, 3 mL of 18 mg/3 mL auto-injector pens | $1,213 per 5, 3 mL of 18 mg/3 mL auto-injector pens of brand-name Saxenda | See latest prices |
Prescription drug prices often change. These are the most accurate medication prices at the time of publishing. The listed price without insurance references the price of brand-name drugs. The listed SingleCare price references the price of generic drugs if available. Click the link under “Savings options” to see updated drug prices.
RELATED: Ozempic alternatives: What can I take instead of Ozempic?
Is Ozempic covered by insurance?
Many commercial insurance providers, Medicare Advantage, Medicare Part D prescription drug plans, and Medicaid programs cover an Ozempic prescription when it’s prescribed for Type 2 diabetes, but not as a weight management medication. The final out-of-pocket cost will depend on the copay and any deductibles that haven’t been met.
How to get Ozempic covered by insurance
If an Ozempic prescription is denied by insurance, the first step is to read the “Indications” section of the drug information sheet. It’s only approved by the FDA as a treatment for Type 2 diabetes, so insurance companies won’t cover it for off-label problems like obesity. The next step is to talk to the insurance company or the pharmacist. For costly drugs like Ozempic, insurance companies often require prior authorization, a process in which the healthcare provider fills out paperwork to explain why Ozempic is the most suitable treatment.
RELATED: Does Kaiser cover Ozempic?
Some insurance companies will require step therapy before approval. The physician must prescribe certain types of drugs for a certain amount of time before Ozempic will be covered. The prescribing healthcare professional can look up the detailed step therapy requirements for a particular insurance provider.
How to get Ozempic without insurance
With a yearly cost topping $16,000, Ozempic can be challenging to pay for without prescription drug insurance coverage. The Novo Nordisk patient assistance program (PAP) is an option for people with low incomes, but not everyone can meet the eligibility requirements. Fortunately, there are ways to save money on an Ozempic prescription. The first step is to get a SingleCare discount card to save money on all your prescriptions.
1. Use a SingleCare savings card
Patients can save on an Ozempic prescription simply by using a free Ozempic coupon from SingleCare. The SingleCare savings card can be used at participating pharmacies and reduces the monthly cost of Ozempic from $1,372 to as little as $825. Sign up for SingleCare’s loyalty program and earn bonus savings.
RELATED: Where can I use my SingleCare card?
2. Ask the prescriber for medical advice about similar drugs
Ozempic belongs to a family of prescription medications called glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonists (GLP-1 agonists). This family includes several other drugs with slightly different active ingredients. Switching to another GLP-1 agonist may save hundreds of dollars.
UP NEXT: How to get Ozempic prescribed for weight loss
Lea este artículo en español aquí.
- Find out the cost of Ozempic, Novo Nordisk
- Ozempic semaglutide injection prescribing information, DailyMed (NIH National Library of Medicine)
- Prior authorization. Healthinsurance.org