GLP-1 medications are among the most expensive prescriptions on the market. But what you actually pay depends on many factors — insurance, savings cards, pharmacy choice, whether you qualify for assistance programs, and now the Medicare GLP-1 Bridge.
This guide breaks down every price, every savings option, and a budgeting framework so you can estimate your true monthly cost before you start.
Quick Comparison Table
| Medication | Active Ingredient | List Price/Month | With Savings Card | Medicare Bridge | Typical Insurance Copay |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ozempic | Semaglutide | $950–$1,000 | $25/month (eligible) | Not eligible* | $25–$150 |
| Wegovy | Semaglutide | $1,350–$1,600 | $0–$25/month (eligible) | $50/month (eligible) | $25–$150 |
| Mounjaro | Tirzepatide | $1,000–$1,100 | $25/month (eligible) | Not eligible* | $25–$150 |
| Zepbound | Tirzepatide | $1,050–$1,150 | $25/month (eligible) | $50/month (KwikPen only) | $25–$150 |
| Foundayo | Orforglipron | ~$1,050 | $25/month (eligible) | $50/month (eligible) | $25–$150 |
| Saxenda | Liraglutide | $1,350 | $0–$25/month (eligible) | Not eligible | $25–$150 |
| Victoza | Liraglutide | $936 | $25/month (eligible) | Not eligible | $25–$100 |
| Rybelsus | Oral semaglutide | $892 | $10–$25/month (eligible) | Not eligible | $25–$100 |
| Generic liraglutide | Liraglutide | $300–$500 | N/A | Not eligible | $10–$50 |
| Compounded semaglutide | Semaglutide | $200–$500 | N/A | N/A (cash pay) | N/A (cash pay) |
*Ozempic and Mounjaro are not eligible for the Medicare Bridge because they are not FDA-approved for weight management. Medicare Part D still covers them for type 2 diabetes through your regular plan.
Note: Prices are approximate and vary by pharmacy, dose, and location. Always verify with your pharmacy.
What's New in 2026
Several changes affect GLP-1 pricing since our last update:
- Foundayo (orforglipron) launched — Eli Lilly's daily GLP-1 pill for weight loss, FDA-approved April 1, 2026. List price ~$1,050/month. See our Foundayo guide.
- Medicare GLP-1 Bridge announced — Starting July 1, 2026, eligible Medicare Part D beneficiaries pay a flat $50/month for Wegovy, Zepbound (KwikPen), or Foundayo. See our Medicare Bridge guide.
- Wegovy tablets now available — Oral semaglutide for weight loss, eligible under the Bridge program.
- Savings card terms updated — Wegovy now offers $0 for the first fill for some patients; Zepbound and Mounjaro savings cards remain at $25/month for eligible commercially insured patients. See our savings cards comparison.
- Generic semaglutide still not available — Earliest expected generic date is 2031 for Ozempic, 2032 for Wegovy. See our generic availability guide.
Detailed Breakdown by Medication
Semaglutide (Ozempic, Wegovy, Rybelsus)
Manufacturer: Novo Nordisk
Ozempic (Type 2 Diabetes)
- List price: ~$950/month
- Savings card: As low as $25/month for commercially insured
- Insurance: Often covered for diabetes with prior authorization
- Medicare: Covered under Part D for diabetes (not eligible for Bridge)
- See our Ozempic guide
Wegovy (Weight Loss)
- List price: ~$1,350–$1,600/month
- Savings card: As low as $0–$25/month for commercially insured
- Medicare Bridge: $50/month starting July 1, 2026 (eligible beneficiaries)
- Insurance: Coverage varies widely; many plans exclude weight loss drugs
- See our Wegovy self-pay guide
Rybelsus (Oral Semaglutide, Type 2 Diabetes)
- List price: ~$892/month
- Savings card: As low as $10–$25/month
- Insurance: Generally covered for diabetes
Tirzepatide (Mounjaro, Zepbound)
Manufacturer: Eli Lilly
Mounjaro (Type 2 Diabetes)
- List price: ~$1,000–$1,100/month
- Savings card: As low as $25/month for commercially insured
- Insurance: Often covered for diabetes with prior authorization
- Medicare: Covered under Part D for diabetes (not eligible for Bridge — not FDA-approved for weight management)
- See our Mounjaro savings card guide
Zepbound (Weight Loss)
- List price: ~$1,050–$1,150/month
- Savings card: As low as $25/month for commercially insured
- Medicare Bridge: $50/month for KwikPen only (single-dose vial and pen not included)
- Insurance: Coverage improving but still inconsistent
- See our Zepbound savings card guide
Foundayo (Orforglipron) — New
Manufacturer: Eli Lilly
Foundayo (Weight Loss, Daily Pill)
- List price: ~$1,050/month
- Savings program: As low as $25/month for commercially insured patients
- Medicare Bridge: $50/month (eligible)
- Insurance: Coverage expanding as plans add Foundayo to formularies
- No needles, no food or water restrictions
- See our Foundayo guide and Foundayo vs Wegovy comparison
Liraglutide (Saxenda, Victoza)
Manufacturer: Novo Nordisk
Saxenda (Weight Loss)
- List price: ~$1,350/month
- Savings card: As low as $0–$25/month
- Insurance: Limited coverage for weight loss indication
Victoza (Type 2 Diabetes)
- List price: ~$936/month
- Savings card: As low as $25/month
- Insurance: Generally well-covered for diabetes
Generic and Compounded Options
Generic Liraglutide
- Cost: $300–$500/month
- Availability: Limited but growing
- Insurance: Often covered at generic tier ($10–$50 copay)
Compounded Semaglutide
- Cost: $200–$500/month (cash pay)
- Availability: Through compounding pharmacies with prescription
- Important: Verify pharmacy credentials and ingredient sourcing
- See our compounded GLP-1 guide
The Medicare GLP-1 Bridge Program
Starting July 1, 2026, CMS offers a new pathway for Medicare beneficiaries to access GLP-1 weight loss medications at a flat $50/month copay.
Eligible drugs: Wegovy (injection and tablets), Zepbound (KwikPen only), and Foundayo (all formulations).
Clinical criteria: BMI ≥35, or BMI ≥30 with qualifying conditions (heart failure, uncontrolled hypertension, CKD stage 3a+), or BMI ≥27 with prediabetes, prior heart attack, stroke, or peripheral artery disease.
Key details:
- Prior authorization required — your doctor must submit it starting July 1, 2026
- No beneficiary opt-in or registration needed
- The $50 copay does not count toward your Part D out-of-pocket costs
- Low-income subsidies do not reduce this copay
- Program runs through December 31, 2027
For full eligibility requirements and how to get ready, see our Medicare GLP-1 Bridge guide.
Build a Realistic GLP-1 Budget
List prices don't tell you what you'll actually spend. Include all four cost categories:
- Medication out-of-pocket (list price minus insurance/savings)
- Prescribing/telehealth visits ($75–$150 per visit)
- Lab monitoring when required
- Treatment interruptions or restarts (buffer for denied refills)
Why Advertised Prices and Real Prices Differ
- Coupon/savings eligibility varies
- Pharmacies price differently
- Supply and plan rules shift over time
- Prior authorization status can change refill to refill
- Medicare Bridge eligibility depends on clinical criteria
Two-Scenario Budget Worksheet
A two-scenario budget (optimistic vs conservative) is more useful than one static number.
Optimistic scenario: Medication at $25/month with savings card + quarterly telehealth visit at $75/visit = ~$50/month
Conservative scenario: Medication at $1,100/month (no savings) + monthly visits + $200 buffer for denied refills = ~$1,400/month
Most patients fall somewhere between these two extremes.
Cost by Insurance Scenario
| Your Situation | Expected Monthly Cost | Best Path |
|---|---|---|
| Commercial insurance + diabetes | $25–$75 | Ozempic or Mounjaro with savings card |
| Commercial insurance + weight loss | $25–$100 IF covered, full price if not | Wegovy, Zepbound, or Foundayo with savings card |
| Medicare + weight loss | $50/month (Bridge eligible) | Wegovy, Zepbound (KwikPen), or Foundayo via Bridge |
| Medicare + diabetes | $25–$150 | Part D plan, check formulary |
| No insurance | $200–$1,350+ | Compounded ($200–$500) or patient assistance |
Money-Saving Strategies
1. Manufacturer Savings Cards
If you have commercial insurance (not Medicare/Medicaid), savings cards can reduce your cost to $25/month or less.
- Wegovy Savings Card
- Zepbound Savings Card
- Ozempic Savings Card
- Mounjaro Savings Card
- Foundayo Savings Program
Important: These work for commercially insured patients only. Medicare and Medicaid patients don't qualify. Medicare beneficiaries should check the GLP-1 Bridge program instead.
For a full side-by-side comparison of every savings card, see our Best GLP-1 Savings Cards & Coupons guide.
2. Patient Assistance Programs
If you're uninsured and low-income:
- Novo Nordisk Patient Assistance Program — free medication if eligible
- Eli Lilly Cares Foundation — free medication if eligible
- Check eligibility at NeedyMeds.org
- Income cutoffs typically around 300–500% federal poverty level
3. 90-Day Supplies
Some pharmacies offer a discount on 90-day supplies vs. three 30-day fills. Check with your plan.
4. Compare Pharmacy Prices
Prices can vary significantly between pharmacies. A 2026 analysis found:
- CVS vs Walgreens: up to $50/month difference
- Costco and warehouse pharmacies: often 10–30% lower cash prices
- Independent pharmacies: sometimes lower
- Mail-order: often cheapest for maintenance refills
- Use tools like GoodRx or Cost Plus Drugs to compare
5. Insurance Appeals
If your insurance denies coverage:
- Ask your doctor to submit a letter of medical necessity
- Appeal the denial (many are overturned on appeal)
- Try a different medication on the same plan
- See our insurance coverage guide for the full process
Cost Per Pound of Weight Loss
A useful way to think about value:
| Medication | Avg Monthly Cost | Avg Monthly Weight Loss | Cost Per Pound |
|---|---|---|---|
| Wegovy | $1,349 (list) / $25 (with card) / $50 (Bridge) | 4–5 lbs | $270–$340 / $5–$6 / $10–$13 |
| Zepbound | $1,061 (list) / $25 (with card) / $50 (Bridge) | 5–7 lbs | $150–$210 / $4–$5 / $7–$10 |
| Foundayo | $1,050 (list) / $25 (with card) / $50 (Bridge) | 3–4 lbs | $263–$350 / $6–$8 / $13–$17 |
| Compounded | $350 (avg) | 4–5 lbs | $70–$88 |
With a savings card or the Medicare Bridge, GLP-1 medications can cost less per pound than many commercial diet programs.
Tips to Reduce Your Cost
- Check your formulary before choosing a medication
- Apply for savings cards immediately after prescription
- Ask about prior authorization before leaving the doctor's office
- Compare pharmacy prices in your area — Costco often has lower prices
- Consider mail-order for maintenance refills
- Ask about self-pay discounts if you have no coverage
- Track denial reasons and resubmission timelines
- Re-check eligibility when calendar-year benefits reset
- Check Medicare Bridge eligibility if you're on Medicare — $50/month starting July 2026
- Ask about Foundayo if you prefer a pill — may be easier to get covered than injectable weight loss drugs
Products That Can Help
Managing GLP-1 costs and treatment? These products may help:
- Pill organizer — Track daily medications and supplements
- Document organizer — Keep insurance paperwork, prescriptions, and savings card information organized
- Health expense tracker — Log medication costs for budgeting and FSA/HSA reimbursement
- Prescription discount card holder — Keep discount cards accessible at the pharmacy
GLPSpot may earn from qualifying purchases.
Bottom Line
List prices are scary ($900–$1,600/month). But most insured patients pay $25–$100/month with savings programs, and Medicare beneficiaries may pay just $50/month through the Bridge starting July 2026. Foundayo adds a new pill option at similar pricing. The hard part isn't the cost — it's navigating insurance approvals and coverage restrictions. Build your budget using both an optimistic and conservative scenario so you're prepared either way.
This article is for informational purposes only. Prices change frequently. Always verify current pricing with your pharmacy and insurance.