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Key takeaways
Wegovy and Mounjaro are both brand-name prescription drugs that improve blood sugar control and suppress appetite.
Insurance coverage for these drugs depends on the policy and often requires prior authorization.
The out-of-pocket cost of Wegovy vs Mounjaro varies depending on the insurance policy and the condition the drug is being used to treat.
Wegovy and Mounjaro are both injectable medications that control blood sugar levels and diminish appetite. Wegovy is an FDA-approved weight loss medication, whereas Mounjaro is an FDA-approved Type 2 diabetes treatment sometimes prescribed off-label for weight loss.
Like most brand-name medications, these drugs are expensive, causing some people to wonder if it’s possible to pick the cheaper option. The truth is that while Wegovy has a higher retail price, your out-of-pocket Wegovy versus Mounjaro cost can depend on several factors, including insurance coverage and the reason for taking the drug.
How much does Wegovy cost without insurance?
The average retail price of Wegovy is $1,846 per 4, 0.75 mL of 2.4 mg/0.75 mL prefilled pens. The manufacturer, Novo Nordisk, sets the list price of Wegovy, but costs can vary by pharmacy and location. Some people also pay less because of insurance coverage, patient assistance programs, income-based prescription drug payment assistance, or prescription discount cards.
How much does Mounjaro cost without insurance?
The average retail price of Mounjaro is $1,480 for 4, 0.5 mL of 5 mg/0.5 mL prefilled pens, which is a one-month supply. Like Wegovy, the actual list price of Mounjaro can vary by pharmacy and location. The out-of-pocket cost of Mounjaro can also be lowered through insurance coverage, financial assistance, or a prescription discount card.
Wegovy vs. Mounjaro insurance and cost comparison |
||
|---|---|---|
| Wegovy | Mounjaro | |
| Typically covered by insurance? | No | Sometimes for diabetes |
| Typically covered by Medicare Part D? | No | Sometimes |
| Quantity | 4 prefilled injection pens (0.75 mL of 2.4 mg/0.75 mL) | 4 prefilled injection pens (0.5 mL of 5 mg/0.5 mL) |
| Typical Medicare copay | Varies | Varies |
| Cost without insurance | $1,846 | $1,480 |
| SingleCare cost | $1,225 | $872 |
| Savings | Get coupon | Get coupon |
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Does insurance cover Wegovy?
Insurance companies are more likely to cover Wegovy for cardiovascular risk reduction than as a weight loss drug. Even if a policy does cover Wegovy, prior authorization may be required. It’s important to check with your specific plan to find out whether Wegovy is ever covered, and if so, what the eligibility requirements are. NovoNordisk, the drug’s manufacturer, has an online tool to help check your Wegovy cost and coverage.
Medicare enrollees may be able to get Wegovy covered for heart disease risk reduction, but Medicare Advantage and Part D plans are unlikely to cover a drug for weight loss. Sometimes, Medicaid will help pay for Wegovy if your healthcare provider submits prior authorization paperwork. However, coverage isn’t guaranteed, and eligibility varies by state and specific Medicaid plan.
Does insurance cover Mounjaro?
Mounjaro coverage varies by policy. Many plans cover it for Type 2 diabetes, but not weight loss. Because it is an expensive brand-name drug, some individuals may need prior authorization or step therapy — trying lower-cost drugs first — before getting help paying for Mounjaro.
The same stipulations apply to Medicare and Medicaid coverage of Mounjaro. Some — but not all — Medicare Part D plans cover Mounjaro for Type 2 diabetes. Coverage is very plan-specific, but in all cases, Mounjaro is only likely to be covered for diabetes management.
What’s the difference between Wegovy and Mounjaro?
At first glance, Wegovy and Mounjaro have a lot in common. “Both medications help reduce appetite, slow digestion, and support blood sugar control,” says Ali McGowan, RD, LDN, a registered dietitian specializing in weight management and women’s health in Providence, Rhode Island. However, these drugs have key differences in their active ingredients, standard dosages, FDA-approved indications, and side effect frequency.
Active ingredient and class of drugs
The main difference between Wegovy and Mounjaro is that they have different active ingredients. Wegovy contains semaglutide, a glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonist, or GLP-1 RA. Mounjaro contains tirzepatide, a glucose-dependent insulinotropic polypeptide (GIP) receptor agonist and GLP-RA. Given that, Mounjaro is classified as a dual GIP/GLP-1 receptor agonist. In both cases, the drugs mimic natural hormones (GLP and GIP) to trigger insulin secretion, slow stomach emptying, and inhibit glucagon release, thereby lowering blood sugar levels and reducing appetite.
Dosage
Both Wegovy and Mounjaro are administered as weekly subcutaneous injections. However, they have very different dosages. Wegovy is started at 0.25 mg per week, which is gradually increased to 1.7 to 2.4 mg weekly. Mounjaro is started at 2.5 mg per week and gradually increased to 5 to 15 mg weekly.
FDA-approved indications
The U.S. Food & Drug Administration (FDA) has approved Wegovy for the following:
- Weight management in adults and children aged 12 and up with obesity (a body mass index of 30 or more)
- Weight management in adults who are overweight (a body mass index of 27 to 29) and have at least one weight-related health condition, such as high blood pressure or sleep apnea
- Cardiovascular risk reduction in adults with heart or other cardiovascular disease and obesity or overweight
Mounjaro is only approved for blood sugar management in adults with Type 2 diabetes. However, some providers prescribe it off-label for weight loss because of its effectiveness in this area. Zepbound has the same active ingredient, tirzepatide, and is approved for weight loss. McGowan points out that in clinical trials, tirzepatide led to more body weight reduction than semaglutide when both were administered at maximum dosage.
Side effects
“Both can cause nausea, constipation, and slowed digestion,” says Supriya Rao, MD, a board-certified gastroenterologist and obesity medicine provider in Massachusetts. She says that patients report a slightly lower rate of GI-related common side effects with tirzepatide than semaglutide, but that side effect experiences are “very individualized.”
Bottom line
The out-of-pocket cost of Wegovy vs Mounjaro varies depending on the insurance policy and the condition the drug is being used to treat. Though it may be tempting to request Mounjaro because of its lower list price, it’s important to remember that Wegovy and Mounjaro are intended for different purposes. Only a healthcare provider familiar with your medical history, health condition(s), and other medications you’re taking can recommend the best drug for you. Once you have a prescription, you can also use SingleCare coupons to help lower the cash price of your medication.
- Highlights of prescribing information (Wegovy), Food and Drug Administration (FDA)
- Highlights of prescribing information (Mounjaro), FDA
- Emerging role of GLP-1 agonists in obesity: A comprehensive review of randomised controlled trials, International Journal of Molecular Sciences (2023)
- FDA approves first treatment to reduce risk of serious heart problems specifically in adults with obesity or overweight, FDA (2024)
- Check your cost and coverage, NovoNordisk
- Medicare coverage of GLP-1 drugs, Library of Congress (2024)