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Is Saxenda covered by insurance? | How much does Saxenda cost without insurance? | How to get Saxenda without insurance
Saxenda (liraglutide) is a brand-name prescription drug used along with a reduced-calorie diet and exercise to manage weight in adolescents and adults with a high body mass index (BMI) or other weight-related medical conditions.
The standard target dose of Saxenda is 3 mg per day taken as a subcutaneous injection in the abdomen, thigh, or upper arm. Some of the side effects include low blood sugar (hypoglycemia), pancreas problems, gallbladder problems, fast heart rate, and allergic reactions.
Saxenda is a premium-priced drug and is typically prescribed for long durations. Unfortunately, there are no generic versions of Saxenda, but there are other less expensive weight loss prescription drugs and over-the-counter drugs that can be taken instead.
RELATED: Saxenda side effects
Is Saxenda covered by insurance?
Saxenda is a premium-priced weight management drug, so insurance coverage is not guaranteed. Here are more details:
- Many commercial health insurance plans will cover a Saxenda prescription but often require prior authorization.
- Medicare Part D does not cover weight management prescription medications such as Saxenda.
- Depending on the state, Medicaid plans may or may not cover weight loss medications. Those that do may not cover premium-priced medications like Saxenda, so check with your state’s Medicaid website or call a representative.
- The Veterans Administration (VA) does cover weight management medications, but Saxenda may or may not be covered. Patients will need to talk to a representative from the Veterans Health Administration to determine coverage.
- Tricare plans will cover Saxenda under certain circumstances.
How much does Saxenda cost without insurance?
The retail price for a one-month supply of Saxenda averages $1,698. Because Saxenda is meant to be used for months and years, uninsured patients can expect to pay over $20,000 per year. Insurance can reduce the cost, but not every insurance plan may cover Saxenda. The out-of-pocket cost with insurance will depend on the insurance plan, deductible, and copay cost for the prescription.
Healthcare professionals may prescribe other types of brand-name prescription weight loss drugs to compliment a reduced-calorie diet and increased physical activity: Xenical (orlistat), Qsymia (phentermine/topiramate), and Contrave (naltrexone/bupropion). These drugs are effective, but work differently than GLP-1 agonists and have different side effects. Unfortunately, most over-the-counter drugs or dietary supplements are not considered highly effective. However, over-the-counter orlistat is available under the brand name Alli at half the dose and one-tenth the cost of prescription orlistat.
RELATED: Compare Contrave vs. phentermine
Compare Saxenda prices to related drugs |
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|---|---|---|---|
| Drug name | Price without insurance for brand-name drug | SingleCare price | Savings options |
| Saxenda (liraglutide) | $1,698 per 5, 3 mL of 18 mg/mL solution pen-injector (30 days) |
$1,222 per 5, 3 mL of 18 mg/mL solution pen-injector (30 days) for brand-name Saxenda |
See updated prices |
| Wegovy (semaglutide) | $1,723 per 4, 0.5 mL of 0.5 mg/mL solution auto-injector (30 days) |
$1,349 per 4, 0.5 mL of 0.5 mg/mL solution auto-injector (30 days) for brand-name Wegovy |
See updated prices |
| Alli (non-prescription orlistat) | $73 per 90, 60 mg capsules (30 days) | $56 per 90, 60 mg capsules for brand-name Alli |
See updated prices |
| Contrave (naltrexone/bupropion) | $191 per 60 8 mg/90 mg tablets |
No coupon available at this time | More details |
| Qsymia (phentermine/topiramate) | $239 per 30, 7.5/46 mg extended-release capsules |
$188 per 30, 7.5/46 mg extended-release capsules for brand-name Qsymia |
See updated prices |
| Xenical | $858 per 90, 120 mg capsules (30 days) |
$663 per 90, 120 mg capsules for brand-name Xenical |
See updated 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.
How to get Saxenda without insurance
At $20,000 per year, paying for a Saxenda prescription is difficult without the help of health insurance. For patients with certain insurance policies, the cost of Saxenda could be significantly less, however, patients whose insurance does not cover Saxenda or lack insurance coverage entirely, there are other ways to save.
1. Rely on a SingleCare discount card
There are no manufacturer coupons for Saxenda, but patients can save hundreds of dollars on a Saxenda prescription simply by using a savings card from SingleCare. Free discount cards from SingleCare may vary by pharmacy, but many of the large pharmacies accept SingleCare’s free coupons.
2. Ask the prescriber about patient assistance
For high-priced, long-term medications like Saxenda, often the best option is to take advantage of a manufacturer’s patient assistance program. People who meet the eligibility requirements could receive their entire prescription for free from Novo Nordisk, the manufacturer. Ask the prescribing healthcare provider for additional information or help with the enrollment process.
3. Get health insurance
Long-term treatment with pricey medications is a great reason to shop for health insurance. Most commercial health insurance policies are significantly less expensive than the annual $20,000 cost of Saxenda. Not every health insurance company will cover Saxenda, however, and some may still charge a high copay. Do your homework first before committing to a policy.
4. Compare prices between pharmacies
Pharmacies charge different prices for the same medication. For high-priced medications, these price differences can amount to hundreds of dollars. If shopping around is too time-consuming, rely on discount pharmacies, online mail-order pharmacies or those connected to big discount retailers.
5. Ask the prescriber about other weight loss medications
There are other prescription medications that are FDA-approved to help people lose weight and keep it off. All are premium-priced brand-name drugs, but they are all less expensive than Saxenda. Some may be covered by insurance plans that do not cover Saxenda. They do work differently than Saxenda and have different side effects. However, if they haven’t been tried yet, get medical advice about starting with these less expensive alternatives first.
