How much does Trulicity cost with Medicare?

In this article:

• Does Medicare cover Trulicity?
• How much does Trulicity cost with Medicare?
• Trulicity assistance for Medicare patients

In this article

• Does Medicare cover Trulicity?
• How much does Trulicity cost with Medicare?
• Trulicity assistance for Medicare patients

Trulicity is the brand name for dulaglutide, a GLP-1 agonist medication used to manage glucose (blood sugar) in people with Type 2 diabetes. It’s also prescribed for people with both diabetes and heart disease to lower their risk of major cardiovascular events. Trulicity is not insulin; instead, it’s a medication meant to be used in conjunction with diet and exercise to help control your blood sugar levels. Trulicity is administered via a once-weekly injection. Currently, there is no generic version of Trulicity that’s FDA-approved.

 If you are on Medicare for health insurance, you might wonder: Does Medicare cover Trulicity? Medicare Part D covers Trulicity in many cases. However, coverage varies based on what Medicare plan you are on. On top of that, many plans require prior authorization or have steep copays or deductibles. That means that even though Medicare often covers Trulicity, it’s not always easy or affordable to get it with Medicare coverage alone. And the amount you pay may vary throughout the year.

 Here, we’ll look at Medicare coverage of Trulicity, how much it costs with Medicare, and various ways of paying for a Trulicity prescription, including Trulicity assistance programs for Medicare recipients.

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Does Medicare cover Trulicity?

 Medicare Part D is the Medicare program that helps cover prescription drugs. It’s a program offered to everyone on Medicare, but you must opt into it to use it. In 2025, most people on Medicare had around 48 prescription drug coverage plans to choose from. In most cases, Medicare Part D will cover at least part of the cost of Trulicity.

 Taher Saifullah, MD, a pain management specialist and founder of Spine & Pain Institute Los Angeles, who works with patients who live with both chronic pain and diabetes, says that while Medicare typically covers Trulicity, coverage isn’t always straightforward. Trulicity is often placed at a higher tier than other drugs, which means that copayments may be quite high.

 “The rules vary by plan, so I usually recommend checking with your insurance or having your pharmacist look it up for you,” he says.

Nearly all Medicare Part D plans cover Trulicity, agrees Garrett Ball, owner at 65Medicare.org, which specializes in Medicare and Medicare Supplement insurance. However, he notes, the “co-pays and coinsurance vary from plan to plan, though, so what you will pay is dependent on which Part D plan you have.”

 Additionally, some Part D plans use certain cost-containment measures, such as prior authorization or step coverage, when it comes to Trulicity coverage. “Prior authorization means that you must get approval before a plan will cover the medication, while step therapy means that you must first try a lower-cost medication before the plan will cover Trulicity,” Ball explains.

How much does Trulicity cost with Medicare?

If you buy Trulicity without Medicare or other forms of insurance, the price can be quite high. The retail rate for a month’s supply of Trulicity (four 0.5 mL of 1.5 mg/0.5 mL pens) is currently around $1,400 without insurance. In 2024, the average cost of Trulicity for people who receive Medicare was around $2400 per year. But the monthly amount will vary based on your plan and what stage of coverage you are in. 

Trulicity assistance for Medicare patients

 When people are concerned about how much a drug costs, they often ask if there’s a generic version available for a reduced rate. When it comes to Trulicity, there isn’t currently a generic version of dulaglutide that’s FDA-approved or available for prescription. The patent is expected to expire in 2027, so a generic version may become available in the years that follow.

 If you are having trouble getting prescription drug coverage for Trulicity, you may need to look for other ways to save. The good news is that there are several viable options available to you.

SingleCare coupons

SingleCare coupons can help you save on Trulicity. While Trulicity out-of-pocket costs can total $1,405 for a four-week supply, with a SingleCare savings card, you’ll pay almost half of that—about $777 for a four-week supply. Using SingleCare coupons is simple: you just show the coupon to your pharmacist, who processes it for you and tells you the amount you owe.

Medicare Extra Help Program

Another option to consider if you’re looking for help paying for Trulicity is the Medicare Extra Help program, available through Social Security, says Alyssa Rojo, MSN, RN at DiabetesTeam. You can apply for this program either before or after enrolling in Medicare Part D. “However, as this is through the government, those who qualify would need to have income and resources (e.g., stocks, bonds, money in a retirement account, etc.) below a low dollar amount,” Rojo notes.

Manufacturer rebates and coupons

Trulicity coupons may be available through the manufacturer, Lilly. Contact Lilly to find out if you qualify.

Patient assistance programs

There are various programs that help people afford prescription drugs. For Trulicity coverage, you might consider the nonprofit Lilly Cares. This organization “provides Lilly medications at no cost to patients who qualify, which is essentially low- to moderate-income households,” Rojo shares. Additional information about how to apply and the eligibility requirements can be found at the Lilly Cares website.

Free samples at the healthcare provider’s office

Doctors may be able to give limited amounts of free samples, especially when starting a new medication. “I give out free samples when I can, especially for patients just starting out,” Dr. Saifullah says. However, relying on free samples is not a sustainable savings method in the long-term. 

Trulicity alternatives that may be less expensive

Don’t change medications without seeking medical advice from a healthcare professional first. However, for some people, Trulicity alternatives work just as well for their health needs, and some may be more affordable.

“There are a few medications in the same family as Trulicity—called GLP-1 receptor agonists—that might be more affordable or better covered by your insurance,” Dr. Saifullah says. “Ozempic, Victoza, or Bydureon are examples, and sometimes they’re easier to get approved.”

 There are other diabetes medications, or medications used to control blood sugar, that you can discuss with your healthcare provider. A comprehensive list of Trulicity alternatives can be found here.