Wegovy Cost: Complete Guide to Pricing and Payment Options

Wegovy List Price: Understanding What You're Quoted

Wegovy's manufacturer list price is approximately $1,350 per month for a single injection pen. This is the price Novo Nordisk charges to pharmacies, which then mark it up or negotiate discounts with insurance companies.

Important: Very few patients actually pay the full list price. The effective price you pay depends entirely on your insurance status and which payment strategy you choose. For many insured patients, the cost is dramatically lower through copay assistance programs.

The cost also varies slightly based on the Wegovy dose (0.5mg, 1mg, 1.7mg, 2.4mg) and the number of pens in the box, but these variations are minor compared to the savings available through insurance and assistance programs.

Insurance Coverage: Does Your Plan Cover Wegovy?

Insurance coverage for Wegovy has expanded significantly in 2025-2026, but varies considerably by plan:

Commercial insurance: An increasing number of major insurers (UnitedHealthcare, Aetna, Anthem, Cigna, Humana, and others) now cover Wegovy for weight management. However, coverage typically requires: (1) BMI ≥30 kg/m² or ≥27 kg/m² with weight-related conditions (diabetes, hypertension, sleep apnea, etc.), (2) Prior authorization from your doctor, (3) Documentation that you've tried diet and exercise or other weight loss medications, (4) Active enrollment in a weight loss program. Check your specific plan documents or call your insurance company to verify coverage.

Medicare: A major development in 2025: Medicare Part D began covering GLP-1 agonists for weight loss under the TREAT Obesity as a Disease Act. This covers most Medicare beneficiaries aged 65+. Typical Medicare copays are $0-$150 per month depending on the specific plan. This is significant because obesity medications were previously not covered by Medicare.

Medicaid: Coverage varies dramatically by state. Some states (California, Connecticut, New York) cover Wegovy for Medicaid beneficiaries meeting weight loss criteria. Other states do not. Call your state Medicaid office to confirm. In states with coverage, copays are typically $0-$10 per prescription.

If your plan doesn\'t cover it: You still have options. The manufacturer savings program and GoodRx can dramatically reduce your out-of-pocket cost (see sections below).

Expected Copays: What You\'ll Pay With Insurance

For patients with insurance coverage, copays typically fall into these ranges:

Tier 1 (Preferred generic): Usually $5-15 per month. Wegovy is rarely placed in tier 1 since it\'s a brand-name drug with no generic equivalent.

Tier 2 (Preferred brand): Usually $25-75 per month. Some plans place Wegovy here, especially if it\'s covered without restrictions.

Tier 3 (Specialty): Usually $100-300+ per month. This is where many plans place GLP-1 agonists. Specialty tier drugs are complex or expensive and may have prior authorization requirements. You pay coinsurance (e.g., 20-30% of the cost) rather than a flat copay, meaning your cost is a percentage of the negotiated price.

Example calculation: If Wegovy\'s negotiated insurance price is $1,000/month and you have 20% coinsurance, you\'d pay $200/month out of pocket.

Every plan is different, so always call your insurance company before starting Wegovy to ask: "How much is the copay for Wegovy?" and "Does it require prior authorization?" Also ask if your copay qualifies for the Novo Nordisk savings program (see below).

Novo Nordisk Savings Program: Reducing Your Copay

The Novo Nordisk PAM (Patient Assistance and Medication) Program is one of the single most effective ways to reduce Wegovy costs, whether you\'re insured or uninsured.

For insured patients: If you have insurance coverage for Wegovy, Novo Nordisk's savings card can reduce your copay to as low as $25 per month, regardless of what your insurance plan's copay is. So if your plan's copay is $150/month, the Novo program brings it down to $25/month. The program typically covers up to 12 months of medication per year.

For uninsured patients: Novo Nordisk\'s patient assistance program may provide Wegovy for free or at significantly reduced cost based on your household income. Eligibility is typically up to 300-400% of the federal poverty level. For 2026, this means: individuals earning up to approximately $45,000-60,000 annually, or families of four earning up to approximately $95,000-125,000 annually, depending on program specifics.

How to enroll:

• Visit novonordisk.com and search for "Novo Nordisk PAM" or "Wegovy savings"
• Call 1-844-NOVO-777 (1-844-686-8777)
• Ask your doctor\'s office — many have staff who can help with enrollment
• Enrollment typically takes 3-5 business days, and you receive a digital or physical savings card
• Present the card at the pharmacy when filling your prescription

This is the most important strategy for most patients — the savings program often results in $25-50 per month instead of $150+.

GoodRx and Discount Pharmacy Cards

GoodRx is a legitimate online pharmacy discount service that helps uninsured and underinsured patients access lower prescription prices. It\'s free to use and can save significant amounts.

How GoodRx works:

• Go to GoodRx.com or download the GoodRx app
• Search for "semaglutide" (the generic name for Wegovy)
• Enter your ZIP code to see local pharmacy prices (prices vary dramatically by location and pharmacy)
• Compare prices across pharmacies (might range from $150-$400+ per month for the same medication)
• Select your pharmacy and generate a coupon (digital or printable)
• Present the coupon to the pharmacist at checkout
• You receive the discounted GoodRx price

Typical GoodRx prices for semaglutide: Vary significantly by location and dose. You might find prices as low as $150-250/month in some areas, while other locations show $350-400+/month for the same dose. Always check your specific area.

GoodRx Gold: An optional membership ($5.99-$9.99/month) that provides additional discounts at certain pharmacies. May be worth it if you have multiple prescriptions or need ongoing savings.

Important note: GoodRx is for uninsured or underinsured patients paying cash. If you have insurance, use your insurance pharmacy benefit first (with copay assistance if available) — that will typically be cheaper than GoodRx. However, if your insurance doesn\'t cover Wegovy, GoodRx can be an excellent alternative to the list price.

Compounded Semaglutide: Risks and Considerations

During the Wegovy shortage of 2023-2024, compounding pharmacies produced semaglutide at significantly lower costs ($100-300/month). While supply shortages have largely resolved, compounded semaglutide remains available at some pharmacies.

What is compounded semaglutide? It\'s semaglutide manufactured by compounding pharmacies (not the FDA-approved Novo Nordisk version). Compounding pharmacies take raw pharmaceutical ingredients and mix them to create medications.

Advantages: Lower cost (typically $150-300/month vs $1,350+ list price), accessible without insurance, available at various compounding pharmacies.

Significant disadvantages and risks:

• Not FDA-approved: The FDA has not evaluated compounded semaglutide for safety or efficacy. You\'re using a medication without FDA oversight.
• Variable quality: Purity, sterility, and consistency vary between compounding pharmacies. Some pharmacies maintain excellent standards, while others may not.
• Regulatory uncertainty: The FDA has taken action against some compounding pharmacies producing GLP-1 agonists for quality and labeling issues. Regulatory status can change rapidly.
• No manufacturer support: If you experience side effects or problems, Novo Nordisk will not support you — the compounding pharmacy does.
• Insurance complications: Some insurance companies have denied coverage for compounded semaglutide, and claims may be denied retroactively.

Our recommendation: Compounded semaglutide should only be considered if you have exhausted all other options (insurance unavailable, don\'t qualify for Novo assistance, GoodRx prices unaffordable) AND you find a highly reputable compounding pharmacy that follows USP standards. However, the combination of the Novo Nordisk savings program ($25/month for insured patients) and GoodRx usually provides cheaper and safer options than compounded versions.

Medicare and Medicaid Coverage (Updated 2026)

Medicare: As of January 2025, a major milestone was reached: Medicare Part D began covering GLP-1 agonists for weight loss. This represents the first time a major U.S. insurance program has covered obesity medications for seniors. Medicare beneficiaries with BMI ≥30 or ≥27 with weight-related conditions typically qualify. Copays are usually $0-$150 per month depending on the specific Medicare Advantage or Part D plan. Prior authorization is often required. Call your Medicare plan to confirm coverage for Wegovy specifically.

Medicaid: Coverage varies by state. States with Medicaid coverage for GLP-1 agonists include California, Connecticut, Delaware, Illinois, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, and Vermont (this list changes frequently). In states with coverage, copays are typically very low ($0-$10). In states without coverage, you\'ll need to explore other options (Novo assistance for very low-income patients, state-specific programs). Contact your state Medicaid office to determine your coverage status.

Cost impact: Medicare coverage is huge for seniors on fixed incomes. Instead of paying $1,350/month, seniors now pay $0-$150/month with many plans, or potentially $25/month with Novo copay assistance on top of Medicare.

Cost Comparison: Wegovy vs Other GLP-1 Agonists

Key insights: Zepbound (tirzepatide) is slightly cheaper on list price than Wegovy, but all three have similar effective costs when insurance or manufacturer assistance is involved. Liraglutide is slightly cheaper but produces less weight loss. The choice shouldn\'t be based solely on cost — efficacy matters more, and the Novo assistance program makes them all similarly affordable.

10 Strategies to Minimize Wegovy Cost

1. Enroll in Novo Nordisk\'s savings program: Reduces copay to $25/month for insured patients or provides free/discounted access for uninsured eligible patients. This is step 1 for most people.
2. Check insurance coverage before starting: Call your insurance company and ask about Wegovy coverage, copay amount, and whether it\'s covered with prior authorization. This information determines your costs.
3. Use GoodRx for uninsured access: If uninsured and Novo assistance doesn\'t work (income too high), GoodRx can reduce cost from $1,350 to $150-400+/month depending on your location.
4. Ask your doctor about samples: Pharmaceutical reps sometimes leave samples with doctors. A few sample pens can help you get started while paperwork for assistance is processed.
5. Check if your employer offers pharmacy benefits: Some employer plans cover GLP-1 agonists with lower copays as an incentive to reduce long-term healthcare costs.
6. Verify prior authorization: Some insurance companies require prior authorization before approving coverage. Don\'t wait until you try to fill the prescription — have your doctor submit prior auth before you pick it up.
7. Ask about lower-cost alternatives at your pharmacy: Some pharmacies have preferred GLP-1 agonists with lower copays. If Wegovy costs too much, Ozempic (diabetes version) or Saxenda might be cheaper through your insurance.
8. Use discount programs beyond GoodRx: Services like SingleCare, ScriptSave, and others sometimes have different prices than GoodRx. Compare multiple platforms.
9. Request weight loss program enrollment: Some insurance companies cover Wegovy only if you\'re enrolled in a qualified weight loss program. Your doctor can help facilitate enrollment to unlock coverage.
10. Re-evaluate coverage annually: Insurance plans change each year during open enrollment. A plan that didn\'t cover Wegovy last year might cover it now. Check annually to see if your coverage situation improved.

Exploring Alternatives When Wegovy Costs Are Prohibitive

If even discounted Wegovy remains unaffordable, you have other options:

Zepbound (tirzepatide): The tirzepatide weight loss formulation sometimes has better insurance coverage than Wegovy (depending on your plan). It\'s slightly cheaper on list price and produces more weight loss in clinical trials. Check if your insurance covers Zepbound with a lower copay.

Ozempic (semaglutide diabetes version): Some insurance plans cover Ozempic (for diabetes) but not Wegovy (for weight loss). Ozempic can be used off-label for weight loss, and many doctors prescribe it this way. The max dose is 2mg (vs 2.4mg for Wegovy), but the weight loss results are similar.

Saxenda (liraglutide): The oldest GLP-1 weight loss medication, producing more modest weight loss (~8% vs 15% for Wegovy) but often cheaper and more widely covered by insurance. It requires daily injections instead of weekly, but the cost-benefit may favor it for some patients.

Lifestyle modification alone: Acknowledging that not everyone can afford these medications, sustainable weight loss is possible through diet (higher protein, lower calorie), exercise (especially resistance training), and behavioral support. It\'s slower than medications but it\'s free and sustainable long-term. Combine this with seeking compounded alternatives if you want medication support at lower cost.

Is Wegovy Sustainable Long-Term? The Cost Question

One critical consideration: Wegovy is not a short-term treatment. Weight loss medications are increasingly viewed as chronic therapies — similar to blood pressure medications or diabetes medications that you take indefinitely. If you stop Wegovy, studies show you regain approximately two-thirds of lost weight within one year.

This means the cost of Wegovy should be viewed as an ongoing monthly expense, not a one-time cost. Before starting Wegovy, consider:

• Can you afford $25-150/month indefinitely (assuming assistance programs or insurance coverage)?
• Will your insurance coverage continue, or might it be canceled in the future?
• Are you prepared for cost increases (insurance companies sometimes raise copays or reduce coverage)?
• Should you develop a backup plan (e.g., switching to Zepbound, Ozempic, or lifestyle-only approaches) if costs become prohibitive?

The good news: cost has become much more manageable in 2025-2026 with expanded insurance coverage and the Novo Nordisk savings program. For many patients, the effective cost is now $25-100/month, which is sustainable for most household budgets.