How to get Ozempic for $25: a guide to affordable medication

Ozempic is an FDA-approved GLP-1 agonist that helps control blood sugar levels in individuals with type 2 diabetes. It also helps with weight loss but can cost a lot, which is why there are programs and ways to get it for less. In this article, we cover how to get Ozempic for $25 or at a cost less than the retail price.

What’s the average retail price of Ozempic?

Novo Nordisk, the manufacturer of Ozempic, gives a list price of $935.77 per month for Ozempic. List price is the cost the manufacturer charges pharmacies. Drugs.com gives an average monthly cost of $994.86. What your pharmacy charges ranges anywhere from $900 to $1,000 a month, depending on the pharmacy you use. 

If you have insurance that covers Ozempic, you’ll pay less. And, with or without insurance, savings programs may make Ozempic more affordable. 

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How to get Ozempic for $25 a month

You can save on Ozempic and get it for as little as $25 a month (28 days) for up to 24 months through the Ozempic Savings Card program. You do need to have commercial or private insurance and a prescription for a 1-, 2-, or 3-month supply. 

Some restrictions apply. For instance, you’re limited to a maximum savings of $150 for a 1-month prescription, $300 for a 2-month prescription, and $450 for a 3-month prescription. What that means is, if your drug co-pay is $200 a month for Ozempic, you pay $50 a month yourself ($200-$150 = $50). But that’s still better than $1,000 or $250!

Your actual savings, of course, will depend on your drug co-pay.

How else can I save on Ozempic?

There are still ways to save on Ozempic if you don’t qualify for the Ozpemic Savings Card program.

Check your insurance coverage

If you meet the criteria for taking Ozempic and your insurance plan covers it, you should be able to get it for the cost of your drug copay. Note that when your copay kicks in, it may depend on your insurance plan deductible and out-of-pocket maximum. Some plans require you to meet your deductible before the copay takes effect, while others offer copay coverage right away. 

It’s important to review your insurance plan to understand your coverage. Check your policy to see if it covers Ozempic. You can also call your insurance provider’s customer service number on the back of your card to find out how much, if anything, it covers.

Know that Ozempic is only approved for adults with type 2 diabetes. If your doctor prescribes it off label for weight loss, your insurance plan may not cover the cost.

Look into the Novo Nordisk Patient Assistance Program (PAP)

The Novo Nordisk Patient Assistance Program (PAP) provides Oezempic at no cost to qualifying individuals who don’t have insurance if they have a total household income that’s at or below 400% of the federal poverty level.  There are no enrollment fees or costs to participate. To see if you qualify and to enroll online, visit the Novo Nordisk Patience Assistance Program (PAP)  page.

Use a prescription discount card

Several prescription discount card programs exist, including GoodRx, SingleCare, RxSaver, and others. These programs let people with and without insurance pay less for medications. You can use the programs’ websites to compare prices at local pharmacies and get discounts to pay less than the retail price. 

If you use Ozempic off-label, don’t have insurance, don’t qualify for the Novo Nordisk PAP, or your insurance doesn’t cover Ozempic, check into a prescription discount card.

Through GoodRX, for example in the ZIP code 77449 (the most populated ZIP code in the US), you can get Ozempic for $959.99. Not a huge savings, but less than drug.com’s listed cost of $994.86.

Talk to your healthcare provider

Your healthcare provider may be able to help you find ways to get your medication more affordably. Just bring up your concerns and let them know that the cost will be hard for you. They might have suggestions for lower-cost alternatives or be able to suggest resources to help.

What if I still can’t get Ozempic at a price I can afford?

If the options above aren’t available to you, there are a few additional ways to save on a medical approach to weight loss.

Talk to your doctor about Ozempic alternatives

If Ozempic is out of reach of your pocketbook or not covered by your insurance, talk to your healthcare provider about other weight loss injections or medical weight loss programs to figure out if one might be a fit for you.

The same insurance coverage basics apply to other injections and medications. Discounts are available for any of them through a prescription discount card program. And all have manufacturers’ savings programs. However, most are just as pricey as Ozempic.

Trulicity (dulaglutide)

Trulicity is a once-weekly injectable medication that contains the active ingredient dulaglutide. It’s approved to lower blood sugar for people with type 2 diabetes. Drugs.com gives an average retail price of $998.72 for a one-month supply. 

Eli Lilly, Trulicity’s maker, has a Trulicity savings program where eligible individuals can pay just $25 for 12 pens, which is a 3-month supply.

Mounjaro (tirzepatide) 

Mounjaro is an injectable medication developed by Eli Lilly. It activates GIP and GLP-1 pathways to help regulate blood sugar for people with type 2 diabetes. It also helps people lose weight. Eli Lilly sells the identical medication under the brand name Zepbound just for weight loss.  Mounjaro has a list price of $1,069.08 for a one-month supply. Drug.com lists an average retail price of $1,086.76 per month.

Eli Lilly does offer a savings & resources support program for Mounjaro where you could pay just $25 a month if eligible. 

Rybelsus

Rybelsus is another medication with semaglutide as the active ingredient. It’s essentially the oral version of Ozempic. It’s approved to control blood sugar levels in adults diagnosed with type 2 diabetes. Its list price is $935.77. Drugs.com gives an average retail price of $994.86.

Like Ozempic, it qualifies for Novo Nordisk PAP. Novo Nordisk also has a savings program where you could pay as little as $10 a month for Rybelsus.

Victoza (liraglutide) 

Victoza is an injectable medication for blood sugar control in people with type 2 diabetes. Its active ingredient, liraglutide, also helps people lose weight. Drugs.com gives an average retail price of $1,185.50 for a one-month supply. 

Victoza qualifies for the Novo Nordisk Patient Assistance Program (PAP), but Novo Nordisk doesn’t offer a savings program for it.

Byetta (exenatide) and BYDUREON BCise (exenatide extended-release)

Exenatide is an ​​injectable diabetes medication that helps with blood sugar control. It’s injected  twice a day. Exenatide extended-release is injected just once a week. Drugs.com gives an average retail price of $878.43 for Byetta and $855.43 for BYDUREON BCise.

AstraZeneca makes both medications. It offers a savings program for BYDUREON BCise, where you may be able to pay nothing for the medication. It also offers other affordability options. 

Compare prices at different pharmacies

When it comes to buying Ozempic or any medication, comparing prices is crucial. Different pharmacies charge different prices, so it’s important to shop around. Take a moment to check out the pharmacy’s website or give them a call to get pricing. Don’t forget to contact your insurance provider as well, as they can guide you to the most affordable option and in-network pharmacies.

A fast way to compare prices is to visit one of the prescription discount card sites where you can compare costs at local pharmacies quickly and easily.

90-day refills

Getting a 90-day supply of Ozempic can sometimes be more affordable. Some insurance companies encourage this by offering lower copayments for 90-day supplies or when using mail-order pharmacies. Not all insurance companies cover 90-day medication refills or discounts for mail-order refills. Contact your insurance plan to find out what your options are.

Find a healthcare provider through Klarity Health and start your weight loss journey today 

With Klarity Health, you can connect with a licensed healthcare provider for a medication-managed approach to weight loss. Finding a provider on Klarity Health is easy. Get started today.