How to save on Zepbound

If you’ve been struggling to lose weight despite lifestyle changes like diet and exercise, your healthcare provider may recommend a medication like Zepbound (tirzepatide). It works by reducing cravings and overeating, contributing to weight loss.

Zepbound is an injectable medication that is FDA approved for weight management in adults with obesity. It is also approved for use in overweight adults with a weight-related health condition, such as Type 2 diabetes, high cholesterol, or high blood pressure. It is a glucose-dependent insulinotropic polypeptide (GIP) receptor and glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) receptor agonist. Zepbound is injected under the skin of the upper arm, thigh, or abdomen once weekly. Like other injectable weight loss drugs, Zepbound is effective—but it can be expensive. Keep reading for ways to save on Zepbound.

How much does Zepbound cost?

If you’re paying cash, the average retail price for a 28-day supply of Zepbound is $1,522 for four 0.5 ml pens with a 2.5 mg/0.5 ml dose. The exact cost of Zepbound can vary based on your location, pharmacy, health insurance coverage, and dosage.

Does commercial health insurance cover Zepbound?

If you have commercial insurance coverage, the best way to find out how much you’ll pay for Zepbound is to contact the company to determine your plan’s specific coverage. Each plan has a formulary or list of covered medications, as well as eligibility requirements. For example, you may be required to meet the prescribing criteria given by Zepbound’s manufacturer, Eli Lilly:

• Patients with obesity with a BMI of 30 or more

• Patients who are overweight with a BMI of 27 or more and one weight-related health condition, such as hypertension (high blood pressure), cardiovascular disease, Type 2 diabetes, or high cholesterol

• Patients with moderate to severe obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) and obesity

Many insurance companies don’t cover GLP-1 drugs for weight loss because they consider them cosmetic uses of medications, according to the Obesity Medicine Association. Even if they do, it’s important to check to see if prior authorization is required.

RELATED: Does United Healthcare cover Zepbound?

Does Medicare or Medicaid cover Zepbound?

“Medicare will not cover any weight-loss medications, including Zepbound,” says Erika Gray, Pharm.D., chief medical officer and co-founder of Toolbox Genomics, a DNA and epigenetic testing company. In fact, coverage of obesity medications was banned by the Medicare Modernization Act of 2003. Some Medicare plans may cover Zepbound when it’s prescribed for sleep apnea. Check with your plan to verify coverage.

Medicaid may cover weight-loss drugs like Zepbound or Wegovy, but it depends on your state. Each state decides whether to provide coverage for weight-loss medications.

According to a study published in March 2024, five states—California, Delaware, Minnesota, Rhode Island, and Virginia—offered unrestricted coverage of certain antiobesity medications as of 2023. Four states, including Michigan, New Hampshire, Pennsylvania, and Wisconsin, offer restricted coverage of weight-loss drugs like Zepbound and Wegovy. That means they may only cover them in individuals with severe obesity or comorbidities like diabetes, high cholesterol, or high blood pressure. Prior authorization is often required.

Can I get Zepbound for free?

“It is uncommon to get Zepbound for completely free,” says Dr. Gray. Even if you have health insurance, Zepbound may not be covered.

How to save money on Zepbound

Whether you have insurance or not, there are ways to save on Zepbound, from free SingleCare coupons to manufacturer savings cards.

1. Free Zepbound coupons

SingleCare is a prescription discount service that offers up to 80% off over 10,000 medications. With a SingleCare discount card, you can potentially save hundreds of dollars on your prescription costs. For example, when you use a SingleCare Zepbound coupon, you can pay just $950 for four 0.5 ml injector pens (with a 2.5 mg/0.5 ml dosage)—a savings of $572 per month!

It’s worth noting that SingleCare’s prices may vary depending on the quantity, strength, and form of medication you require. The discount applies to both brand-name and generic medications, allowing you to save big on many of your prescription drug costs.

2. Eli Lilly savings card

Eli Lilly offers a manufacturer savings card for Zepound for individuals with health insurance. If Zepbound is on your health insurance’s formulary, your copay may be as low as $25 for a one- to three-month prescription with the card. But if it’s not, you may be able to save by purchasing single-dose vials directly from the manufacturer’s Zepbound Self Pay Journey program. Depending on the dosage, you could pay $349 to $499 per month, but you’ll have to draw the medication from a vial instead of using a pre-dosed pen. Both options are valid through Dec. 31, 2025. Keep in mind that prior authorization is usually required unless you are using self-pay, and it’s important to read the terms and conditions.

Dr. Gray notes that Medicare patients don’t qualify for manufacturer savings cards because federal or government insurance is an exclusion.

3. Get a 3-month supply

If you fill your Zepbound prescription through a mail-order pharmacy, you may get a lower price than at a traditional pharmacy. Not only is it a convenient way to obtain your long-term prescriptions, but it’s usually more cost-effective, too. Just be sure you meet your insurance plan’s eligibility requirements, have a valid prescription from your healthcare provider, and choose a licensed mail-order pharmacy.

4. Compare prices

Prices can vary widely depending on which pharmacy you choose. To get the best price, comparing prices between pharmacies is always recommended. To compare prices at a pharmacy near you, visit SingleCare’s pharmacy directory.

Is there a cheaper alternative to Zepbound?

Diet (eating fewer calories) and exercise are the best ways to lose weight consistently, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. However, if your healthcare provider recommends a prescription medication for weight loss, the following options are available.

The bottom line? If you’re an adult with a body mass index (BMI) of 30 or higher (or a BMI of 27 or higher with a weight-related health condition), you may qualify for Zepbound. There are several ways to save, including a free SingleCare coupon, Eli Lilly savings card, or a 3-month prescription. Always consult a healthcare provider to determine the best treatment for your needs.

• FDA approves new medication for chronic weight management, U.S. Food & Drug Administration (2023)

• Getting patients started, Zepbound Prescribing Information

• Does insurance cover weight loss medication? Obesity Medicine Association (2023)

• Why doesn’t Medicare cover drugs like Ozempic for weight loss? Marketplace (2024)

• Reducing obesity, Medicaid.gov

• State coverage and reimbursement of antiobesity medications in Medicaid, JAMA (2024)

• Nine states cover Wegovy through Medicaid, Health Leaders (2024)

• 3 quick steps to learn how you could save on Zepbound, Eli Lilly

• Steps for losing weight, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (2025)