4 ways to save on weight-loss medications

Obesity is a pervasive problem in the United States. Nearly 1 in 3 adults is considered overweight, and more than 2 in 5 adults are obese, according to the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NIDDK). One out of every 11 adults meets the criteria for severe obesity, a body mass index of 40 or greater. 

For many years, experts recommended diet and exercise alone, “but they simply aren’t effective for the vast majority of individuals affected by obesity,” says gastroenterologist Christopher McGowan, MD, founder of True You Weight Loss. “They’re not going to produce significant and lasting weight loss.” Today, a growing number of medications are available to help people with qualifying medical conditions lose weight and improve their health. Unfortunately, too many people can’t afford these medications—or insurance won’t cover them. So, many go untreated. Here’s what to know about finding weight-loss medications that fit your budget. 

FDA-approved prescription weight-loss options 

For many people, a weight-loss medication can be a game-changer. “Many times, patients have other medical issues that would improve or resolve if the patient could lose weight,” says Flor Zuviri, PA-C, a physician assistant at New Life Cosmetic Surgery and Wellness Center in McAllen, Texas. “Sometimes people ‘feel stuck,’ and they give up trying to lose weight on their own.”

The appetite suppressant phentermine, which includes brand name products such as Lomaira and Adipex, has been approved since 1959 for short-term use (up to 12 weeks). But, in the past few years, alternate options have exploded. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has now approved these prescription weight-loss meds for long-term use: 

• Qsymia (combination of phentermine and topiramate)
• Saxenda (liraglutide) injection
• Contrave (combination of naltrexone and bupropion)
• Xenical and Alli (orlistat)
• Wegovy (semaglutide) injection
• Plenity, a weight-loss device containing superabsorbent hydrogel particles
• Imcivree (setmelanotide) injection, only approved for obesity from three rare genetic conditions

Off-label weight-loss medications

Sometimes, your provider may recommend another type of medication for off-label use. Off-label prescribing is when a drug is prescribed for a use that is not FDA-approved. For example, many Type 2 diabetes medications are now prescribed to help people lose weight, including the follow injectable medications:

• Trulicity (dulaglutide) 
• Ozempic (semaglutide)
• Mounjaro (tirzepatide) 

Although Mounjaro is currently prescribed off label, the medication may be approved for weight loss by the FDA soon. A few short months after granting initial approval, the FDA agreed to a quick review of Mounjaro (also known as a fast track designation) as a weight-loss drug, since a study had shown it helped clinical trial participants lose more than 20% of their body weight. 

Insurance coverage for weight-loss Rx

Typically, you must be obese—or overweight with at least one other medical condition, such as high blood pressure, diabetes, or high cholesterol—in order for a doctor to prescribe these medications. For example, you must have a BMI ≥ 27 and a weight-related medical problem or a BMI ≥ 30 to be prescribed Saxenda, Qsymia, Contrave, or phentermine. For Plenity, the recommendation is BMIs of 25-40. 

However, even if your doctor can prescribe the medication, insurance frequently does not cover or fully cover the cost of obesity treatments—especially for newer, more effective medications. Insurance often covers the cost (or at least some of the cost) of care for complications that can arise from obesity, such as Type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular disease, but not the prescription that would address the extra weight that can cause or worsen those complications.

How to save on weight-loss medications

Before you assume you won’t be able to afford weight-loss medications, you should explore the various Rx options with your healthcare provider. You might be able to start with a lower-cost option and see if that helps you lose enough weight before trying one of the higher priced meds. 

There are also a number of ways to help you save on weight-loss medications, which your provider or pharmacist can walk you through.

1. Patient assistance programs

Drug manufacturers often offer patient assistance programs (PAPs) to help patients to obtain their medications at no cost or reduced cost. If you qualify, you may receive your medication for free. However, not every drug has a patient assistance program. These options are available:

• NovoCare patient assistance program for Ozempic
• Lilly Cares patient assistance program for Trulicity
• PAN Foundation assistance for Mounjaro

2. Manufacturer savings cards

Manufacturer copay cards are savings offered directly from the drug maker—typically on newer, brand-name medication. Generally, you must have private or commercial insurance with coverage to qualify for a savings card. These cards can be beneficial if insurance covers part of the medication’s cost. These options are available for weight-loss medications:

• Wegovy Savings Offer 
• Saxenda Savings Card
• Qsymia Savings Card
• Contrave Savings Card
• Mounjaro Savings Card

3. HSAs and FSAs

If you know that you will have to pay for your weight-loss meds out of pocket—or that your insurance copay cost will be high, you can choose to use funds in your health savings account (HSA) or flexible spending account (FSA) to cover some of the costs. These accounts can help you plan ahead and contribute money pre-tax to cover the cost of your medications. Consider upping your monthly contribution amount to cover the cost of these medications. Just be sure to account for your contribution maximums, which, in 2023, is $3,850 for HSA and $3,050 for FSA.

4. Prescription savings cards

Prescription discount cards, like SingleCare, can reduce the cost of many drugs. Visit singlecare.com (or download the app), and search for your medication. After adjusting the filters for your quantity and dose, you can select the coupon for the participating pharmacy with the best price.  

For example, take phentermine, which runs about $40 for a one-month supply—but is available through SingleCare for as low as $5.42. The app can also take the cost of Qsymia down from $245 to about $166.

*Note: Plenity is only available through the manufacturer, not in most pharmacies.

If you want to lose weight—or you know that losing weight could significantly improve your overall health—don’t give up. You may be able to pursue various strategies to help you get the care that you need. Talk to your healthcare provider about your options.