Wegovy Coupon, Prices, & Savings Tips

What Is Wegovy?

Wegovy is an injectable medication FDA-approved as an adjunct for chronic weight management in obese patients. FDA-approved means that the medication has been studied for safety and efficacy and approved for the indication it was given.

Wegovy’s active ingredient is semaglutide which belongs to the glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) class of medications, and it works by mimicking the hormone GLP-1, which targets areas of the brain that regulate appetite and food intake.^1,2 Wegovy is not available as a generic.

What Is the Monthly Cost of Wegovy Without Insurance?

The cost of Wegovy without insurance is around $1,349.00, which is the listed price given by the manufacturer. This cost would be higher, though, given that there is usually a pharmacy markup so that pharmacies can make a profit with the selling of each medication. If you do not have insurance, you can save $500 per 28-day supply of Wegovy if you use the savings card on the manufacturer’s website.

You can also use a coupon card which you can obtain online and give the pharmacy to reduce the cost of Wegovy. Without any savings card or coupon card, you can expect a box of Wegovy, or 4 pens, to be about $1,400, depending on your pharmacy.

Here is retail Wegovy cost information for a prefilled pen (milliliter – mL) of intravenous solution:^1,3

Quantity	Cost per pen	Price
0.25 milligrams (mg)/0.5 milliliters (mL)	$337.26	$1349.02
0.5 milligrams (mg)/0.5 milliliters (mL)	$337.26	$1349.02
1.0 milligrams (mg)/0.5 milliliters (mL)	$337.26	$1349.02
1.7 milligrams (mg)/0.75 milliliters (mL)	$337.26	$1349.02
2.4 milligrams (mg)/0.75 milliliters (mL)	$337.26	$1349.02

How Much Does Wegovy Cost With Insurance?

Commercial insurance plans are privately funded through individual policyholders or a group plan funded by an employer. Plans such as Medicare and Medicaid are government-sponsored insurance plans that are funded through the government. The type of plan you have can greatly impact the cost of Wegovy and whether or not your insurance accepts it.

Commercial Insurance

Coverage of Wegovy varies depending on the commercial plan that you carry. Each health plan carrier has a multitude of health plans you can choose from, each one having different coverages. Factors like copays, premiums, and deductibles depend on the plan you choose, which, in turn, affects the cost of your medication.

With commercial insurance policies, you can use a savings card from Wegovy’s manufacturer’s website, which may aid in the cost of Wegovy. Contact your insurance company to determine if you qualify for coverage. Be aware that weight loss medications may require pre-approval and that your insurance may not cover this medication due to it being used for weight loss.

Medicare

Currently, Medicare does not cover Wegovy. This medication is branded as a weight loss drug, and Medicare Part D, the prescription coverage portion of Medicare, prohibits the coverage of medications within this class by law. This may be confusing as the active ingredient, semaglutide, is in type 2 diabetes medication Ozempic and is covered by Medicare, but that is because they are used for two different purposes.

Type 2 medications can be covered under Part D, but weight loss cannot. If you have Medicare, you can still be prescribed Wegovy and fill the medication, but Medicare will not cover it, and you will have to cover the cost of the medication out of pocket.⁴

Medicaid

Medicaid coverage is dependent on the state that you live in. Each state decides whether to cover weight loss drugs, thus resulting in a variation in coverage policies from state to state. You will need to check with your state plan to see if Wegovy is covered. A pre-approval may be required, and your Medicaid may not cover weight loss medications.

TRICARE

TRICARE is a healthcare program for service members and their dependents. Your plan may cover Wegovy if it is determined medically necessary. You can check your TRICARE plan for coverage or contact the Veterans Affairs (VA) for help. Be aware that you may need your doctor to do a prior authorization, explaining the rationale for why you need Wegovy to the insurance plan so they can approve or deny the coverage of the medication.

3 Ways to Reduce the Cost of Wegovy

Wegovy can be an expensive medication to be prescribed. Insurances do not always cover the medication or do not cover all the costs, leaving patients with a sizable copay. If you are prescribed Wegovy, there may be options that can lower the cost of your weight management drug. Some options include savings cards and coupons, 3-month supplies of Wegovy, and free samples from your doctor.

Wegovy Savings Cards & Coupons

Savings cards and coupons are other cost-cutting options. You can obtain a savings card on Wegovy’s manufacturer website, where you can pay as little as $0 for a 28-day supply, with a maximum saving of $225 per box for up to 12 fills for commercially insured patients. Coupon cards, such as GoodRx, can be obtained online by inputting what pharmacy you are receiving your medication from and what you’re taking.

Prices can vary with these types of coupon cards, and they cannot be combined with insurance, unlike the savings card from the manufacturer. In both options, you just need to obtain your card and provide it to your pharmacy so they can refill your prescription.

Wegovy Patient Assistance Program

Patient assistance programs provide medications to qualifying patients, typically at no cost. These programs are based on how much money a patient and their family earn and where they fall on the federal poverty level. After an application is sent in by a patient, it is approved or rejected, where approval means that medications will be provided at no cost. Currently, Wegovy does not have a patient assistance program available.

3-month Supply of Wegovy

There are additional ways to save on Wegovy outside of cards and coupons. Depending on your plan, your insurance may prefer you to fill this medication in a quantity to last 3 months. Sometimes, they will give you a discounted price to fill medications in this quantity. You will have to discuss with your pharmacy or insurance to see if this option is available for your Wegovy prescription.

Free Samples of Wegovy

Wegovy can be an expensive medication that some may want to try before committing to the therapy and paying for more of the prescription. Sometimes, drug companies will send samples to doctor offices, intending for doctors to give them to patients to try. Your doctor’s office may be able to provide you with a free sample of Wegovy if asked.

How to Get a Wegovy Prescription

To get a Wegovy prescription, you must be evaluated by a licensed physician. This physician can be seen in person or through telehealth. First, a doctor will determine if it is medically appropriate for you to be on Wegovy. Then they will write you a prescription for the medication, which they can write as a physical or electronic copy. If authorization is required by your insurance, they will work with them to explain why you need the medication, and from there, it can either be approved or denied by the insurance company.

What Is a Lower Cost Alternative to Wegovy?

Depending on how long you intend to be on a medication meant for managing your weight, there may be cheaper options available. Medications like Adipex and Diethylpropion are meant to be used short-term (around 3 months) and are typically affordable. Long-term weight loss drugs like Xenical and Qysmia may be less expensive options. You will need to speak with your doctor and insurance to see if these medications are right for you.⁵

In My Experience

In my experience, Wegovy can be an expensive therapy. Weight loss medications have been historically difficult to get covered by insurance, so they usually had higher copays for patients to pay. This can differ from patient to patient, though, and the types of plans they have with their insurance. For weight loss, medications can help, but lifestyle changes are an essential part of the overall therapy plan. You do not have to change your way of living completely, but gradual changes can lead to more successful outcomes.

For Further Reading

• How to Get Semaglutide Online & at Pharmacies
• Depression & Weight Gain: Connection & Management
• Wegovy vs. Ozempic: What Is the Difference?
• NIH Treatment for Overweight & Obesity
• Wegovy Doses: What You Need to Know
• Wegovy & Alcohol: What You Need to Know