Key Takeaways
- Ozempic costs around $997 per dose without insurance. This is largely due to the lack of a generic version being available currently.
- You may be able to save money on Ozempic via patient assistance programs, discount cards, payment plans, or online pharmacies.
- Some telehealth companies offer Ozempic, including PlushCare and Sesame Care.
Ozempic (semaglutide) is a prescription medication approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for adults with type 2 diabetes. It helps lower blood sugar levels, slow digestion, and suppress appetite.
Ozempic is sometimes also prescribed off-label for weight loss in adults with obesity who don’t have type 2 diabetes.
While insurance sometimes covers Ozempic, it can be expensive when purchased at the list price without insurance.
Continue reading to learn more about Ozempic’s pricing without insurance and where to buy it in person and online.
Novo Nordisk, the maker of Ozempic, prices each pen at $997.58, regardless of strength — ranging from 0.25 to 2 milligrams (mg).
The total cost of Ozempic can vary depending on the dosage, the number of pens purchased, and the pharmacy you select.
Shopping around can help you find the best price for Ozempic. The table below shows the cost of 2-mg Ozempic pens at various online pharmacies when accessed through Optum Perks, a platform providing prescription discounts.
| Pharmacy | List price |
|---|---|
| CVS Pharmacy | $1,000 |
| Target (CVS) | $1,000 |
| Rite Aid | $1,000 |
| Walgreens | $1,100 |
| Walmart | $1,000 |
One reason Ozempic is so expensive is that there isn’t a generic version currently available. Generic versions of prescription drugs are usually more affordable.
There are a few ways you might be able to save money on Ozempic.
Novo Nordisk Patient Assistance Program
Novo Nordisk offers an assistance program that covers the cost of Ozempic for those who are eligible. To qualify, you need to:
- be a citizen or legal resident of the United States
- have a total household income that’s no more than 400% of the federal poverty level
- have no insurance or be enrolled in Medicare
- be ineligible for other government programs like Medicaid, low income subsidies, or Veteran Affairs benefits
Coupons
You can look for coupons from prescription discount sites like Optum Perks. Depending on the pharmacy you choose, you may be able to save around $50. Coupons are available for certain pharmacies, such as CVS, Rite Aid, Walgreens, and Walmart.
FSA or HSA accounts
If you have a flexible spending account (FSA) or health savings account (HSA), you can use these funds to pay for prescription medications, including Ozempic. These accounts allow you to set aside pretax dollars for medical expenses, effectively giving you a discount equivalent to your tax rate. Check your plan to confirm.
Insurance
If you have health insurance, it’s worth checking to see if it covers the cost of Ozempic. Keep in mind that some insurers will cover the cost when Ozempic is used for type 2 diabetes but not when it’s used off-label for weight loss in adults without type 2 diabetes.
Additionally, Novo Nordisk has a savings card that you may be eligible for. To use it, your insurance needs to cover part of the cost of the drug. Then you may be eligible for $150 off the remaining cost.
If you’re enrolled in Medicare, Medicaid, or a federal or state healthcare program, you will not be eligible for this savings card.
You can get Ozempic from your doctor after an in-person visit. They will write a prescription for it.
You can also visit an online telehealth company if you prefer. Here are a few trusted options.
It is also possible to obtain Ozempic via Amazon Pharmacy.
Getting a prescription online
Looking for more options? We rounded up the most reputable places for getting Ozempic online.
Many health insurance plans cover Ozempic if you need it for diabetes management but don’t cover it for weight loss. The degree of coverage can vary widely based on several factors:
- Type of insurance plan: Not all insurance plans are created equal. Some might cover the total cost, while others only pay a portion, leaving you with copays or deductibles.
- Prior authorization: Some insurers require a process called prior authorization, meaning that before they agree to cover Ozempic, your doctor must confirm that the medication is essential and that you have considered or tried other less expensive options that haven’t worked for you.
- Location: Given differences in healthcare policies and insurance regulations, the extent of coverage can also vary by state or country.
- Plan specifics: Individual versus family plans, high deductible plans, or plans from different insurers might have distinct stipulations about specialty medications like Ozempic.
- Pharmacy benefits: Some people have separate pharmacy benefit plans, which might have different coverage rules than standard health insurance.
Consulting directly with your insurance company is essential if you’re considering Ozempic as a treatment option. They can give you the most accurate information about coverage and any potential out-of-pocket costs.
With more companies offering compounded versions of GLP-1 medications like Ozempic, it’s essential to understand the associated risks.
Unlike commercially manufactured medications, compounded semaglutide is not FDA regulated. This means there’s no guarantee of consistency in quality, potency, or sterility. Injectable medications, in particular, pose a higher risk when not subject to strict regulatory standards, potentially leading to serious health issues.
The efficacy of compounded medications can also vary significantly. Without the rigorous testing and quality control that FDA-approved drugs receive, the therapeutic benefits of compounded GLP-1s may be inconsistent, potentially compromising treatment outcomes.
Legally, companies can only provide compounded versions of Ozempic under specific conditions, such as during drug shortages or for people with unique medical needs that FDA-approved products cannot meet.
This means that when Ozempic isn’t considered to be in short supply, companies offering compounded semaglutide will likely switch to only offering branded Ozempic, which is typically more expensive.
Given these safety concerns, Healthline does not recommend taking compounded Ozempic.
Without insurance, Ozempic typically costs around $997 per week, or $4,314 per month.
If your insurance doesn’t cover Ozempic, you still have several avenues to explore, including:
- manufacturer discounts and coupons
- patient assistance programs
- payment plans
- less expensive pharmacies
- pharmacy discount cards
Talking with your doctor about any financial concerns may also be a good idea, as they might have some strategies to help lower costs.
There are several options if you’re looking for a more affordable Ozempic alternative. But because the choice hinges heavily on your unique medical needs, you must discuss your goals and concerns with your doctor before changing your current medications.
With that in mind, here are some potential medications to discuss:
- Other GLP-1 receptor agonists: Ozempic belongs to a family of medications called GLP-1 medications. Others, such as dulaglutide (Trulicity) or exenatide (Bydureon), might offer similar benefits at different price points.
- Metformin: Often the first-line treatment for type 2 diabetes is metformin, a well-established, generic drug that’s typically more affordable.
- Sulfonylureas: Drugs like glipizide (Glucotrol), glyburide (Diabeta), or glimepiride (Amaryl) can effectively manage blood sugar and are available in generic forms.
- SGLT2 inhibitors: Medications like empagliflozin (Jardiance) or dapagliflozin (Farxiga) are newer treatments for diabetes that can also help with cardiovascular risks.
Buying Ozempic without insurance can be expensive, but there are ways to save money.
It’s crucial to be proactive by researching and comparing prices across multiple pharmacies and exploring telehealth services. Finding more affordable options is possible, especially if you tap into manufacturer discounts, patient assistance programs, and other savings avenues.