How Much Does Wegovy Cost Without Insurance? - GoodRx (2024)

Wegovy (semaglutide), an under-the-skin injection, was FDA approved in 2021 for chronic weight management, making it the first medication of its kind to receive such approval since 2014. Wegovy was also approved in March 2024 to help prevent heart attacks, strokes, and heart-related death in adults with a cardiovascular condition and either overweight or obesity. At that time, it became the first weight loss medication to gain this indication.

Wegovy currently has a list price (the amount set by the manufacturer) of about $1,350 for a 28-day supply. But the cash price, or the amount pharmacies charge you for the medication without discounts or insurance, can be higher due to markups and dispensing fees.

Wegovy also doesn’t have a generic equivalent, meaning there aren’t more affordable versions available. Even so, there are ways to save.

What is Wegovy?

Wegovy is a weekly injection that targets areas of the brain that regulate appetite, fullness, and cravings. It also slows down how quickly food leaves your stomach. If you inject it every week, you might feel less hungry throughout the day and eat less than usual.

Wegovy is not insulin. It’s in a drug class called glucagon-like peptide 1 (GLP-1) agonists and is used along with a healthy diet and routine exercise.

The medication is available in pharmacies throughout the U.S. for those with a prescription. Wegovy samples are occasionally available through prescribers.

To qualify for a Wegovy prescription, you must have been told by a healthcare professional that you’re either obese or overweight and have at least one weight-related medical condition.

Does it work?

In the 68-week clinical trial for Wegovy, participants lost an average of about 15% of their initial body weight, compared to those who had a placebo (sugar pill). As an example, someone whose starting weight was 220 lbs would have lost an average of 33 lbs while taking Wegovy.

In addition, a newer study funded by Novo Nordisk found that Wegovy reduced the overall rate of major heart problems by 20% in people with obesity and heart disease. These included heart attacks, stroke, and cardiovascular-related death.

What factors affect Wegovy’s cost?

While the list price of Wegovy is about $1,350 for a 28-day supply, most people won’t pay this price if they receive discounts or their health insurance covers weight-loss medications.

Many factors could affect how much you pay out of pocket for Wegovy, including:

• The pharmacy you choose

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• Your insurance coverage status

• Your location

• Your prescribed dosage

• Your eligibility for patient assistance programs or manufacturer savings cards

Given that Wegovy is typically prescribed for long-term use, your out-of-pocket costs could add up fast. There’s no generic available, either, so Wegovy prices are expected to remain high. However, if you use a GoodRx coupon or are eligible for manufacturer discounts, you could save on Wegovy.

Which insurance plans cover Wegovy?

Unfortunately, coverage for obesity care and weight-loss medications can be hit or miss.

For example, Medicare plans are not allowed to cover prescription medications taken solely for weight loss, since they’re not considered medically necessary by the agency. However, if you take Wegovy to reduce the risk of a heart condition, it may be covered. As mentioned, Wegovy was FDA approved in March 2024 to reduce the risk of a life-threatening cardiovascular event in certain adults.

Cigna, a private insurance company, covers Wegovy if it is considered medically necessary for weight loss, but you must meet all criteria. Some Blue Cross Blue Shield plans also cover Wegovy for members who meet plan eligibility requirements.

Here’s what to expect for weight-loss medication coverage with a few common insurance options.

If you have Medicaid, your coverage will depend on where you live. Insurance coverage policies for weight-management medications such as Wegovy are evolving. You can go to Wegovy’s website, choose the “Check your insurance coverage” page, click on “I am a patient,” and choose Medicaid to see if your state’s program covers the medication.

Here are the state Medicaid programs that cover Wegovy:

• California

• Delaware

• Georgia

• Hawaii (not all plans)

• Kansas

• Michigan

• Minnesota

• Mississippi

• New Hampshire

• Pennsylvania

• Rhode Island (not all plans)

• Tennessee

• Virginia

• Wisconsin

Your insurer may require a prior authorization or have you try other treatments before you can get coverage for Wegovy.

Is a generic version of Wegovy available?

No, because Wegovy remains under an active patent, a generic version isn’t available. And there probably won’t be one for quite a while because patent terms are set at 20 years.

Other prescription medications contain semaglutide, the active ingredient in Wegovy. But they aren’t FDA approved for weight loss. Another Novo Nordisk medication, Ozempic, a medication approved to help people with Type 2 diabetes manage their blood glucose (sugar), also contains semaglutide but at a lower dose than Wegovy. Rybelsus is an oral version of semaglutide that’s also approved for blood glucose control in people with Type 2 diabetes.

How to get Wegovy covered by insurance

Because Wegovy is FDA approved for weight loss, many insurance providers won’t cover it. However, following the three steps below could increase your chances of getting Wegovy covered under your insurance plan:

1. Review your health insurance plan. Find out what, if any, insurance coverage your provider offers for treatments for weight loss or chronic weight management, including prescription medications. Check your plan’s formulary to see if Wegovy is listed as a covered medication. If necessary, contact your insurance provider and ask what your plan covers.

2. Schedule an appointment with your healthcare professional. Ask your prescriber if they can write a letter to your insurance plan outlining why Wegovy is medically necessary for your care. Then, submit it to your insurance provider for their review, or ask your prescriber to submit it.

3. Appeal for reconsideration. If your insurance provider denies your first request for coverage, you can file an appeal to overturn that decision. Check your insurance plan for details on the appeal process, and send an appeal letter outlining why Wegovy is necessary to your overall health.

Are there any options available to help cover the price of Wegovy?

For those who qualify, Wegovy’s manufacturer provides a savings offer that covers up to 13 28-day fills (four injectable pens) of the medication. With the savings offer, you could pay as little as $0 for each eligible 28-day supply.

Wegovy savings offer

How do you get a prescription for Wegovy?

If you are interested in a prescription for Wegovy, you can do the following:

• Reach out to a prescriber. Make an appointment with a prescriber to discuss your health and weight-management goals. Based on your medical history, needs, and health status, they can help you determine if Wegovy is an option for you.

• Obtain a medical exam. Your prescriber may give you a physical exam to determine your current health status before recommending weight-loss medications.

• Identify the best treatment plan. If your prescriber determines that Wegovy is an option for you, they will provide more information about your treatment plan, which will likely include details about potential side effects and how to use the medication.

• Schedule follow-up care. If you receive a prescription for Wegovy and start treatment, your prescriber may ask you to return for follow-up care, so they can monitor your progress and address any concerns you may have.

You may also be able to get a prescription online using a telehealth service. However, these services may charge fees or require you to enroll in a subscription or membership program to meet with a prescriber.

It’s important to note that increased demand for Wegovy has resulted in a short supply. So you may have to wait until the supply increases to fill a prescription.