Wegovy Cost: Insurance Coverage and Affordable Options

You’ve heard that Wegovy is the FDA-approved semaglutide specifically for weight loss, and you’re ready to ask your doctor about it. But when you look up the price, you’re seeing conflicting information. Some sources quote nearly $1,400 per month while others mention $349. You’re wondering what Wegovy actually costs, whether your insurance covers it, and what options exist if you’re paying out of pocket.

Here’s what you need to know: Wegovy’s manufacturer list price remains $1,349.02 per month, which is what insurance companies and pharmacies use for billing purposes. However, Novo Nordisk recently introduced direct-to-consumer pricing of $349 per month for cash-paying patients (with an introductory rate of $199 per month for the first two months for new patients). 

This new pricing is available through NovoCare Pharmacy and participating retailers like Costco and Walmart. Insurance coverage varies dramatically, with some plans covering Wegovy fully while many explicitly exclude weight loss medications. For those seeking the lowest possible price, compounded semaglutide at $199 per month provides the same active ingredient at the most affordable ongoing rate.

This guide provides complete information about Wegovy costs in 2026, including the difference between list price and cash-pay pricing, detailed insurance coverage analysis, manufacturer savings programs and direct-to-consumer options, patient assistance for qualifying individuals, and how brand-name pricing now compares to compounded alternatives.

Key Takeaways: Wegovy Cost and Coverage

• Wegovy’s manufacturer list price is $1,349.02 per month, used for insurance billing and pharmacy pricing before discounts.
• New direct-to-consumer cash pricing is $349 per month through NovoCare Pharmacy and participating retailers, with $199 per month introductory pricing for the first two months (available through March 31, 2026).
• Insurance coverage remains highly variable: some commercial plans cover Wegovy for obesity treatment while many explicitly exclude weight loss medications from coverage.
• The Wegovy savings card can reduce out-of-pocket costs to $0 for commercially insured patients whose plans already cover the medication, with maximum savings of $225 per month.
• Medicare Part D cannot cover Wegovy for weight loss because federal law prohibits Medicare from covering weight loss medications, and Medicare beneficiaries cannot use manufacturer savings programs.
• Compounded semaglutide at $199 per month provides the same active ingredient at the lowest ongoing monthly cost, saving $150 per month compared to brand-name cash pricing after the introductory period.
• The pricing landscape has shifted significantly: brand-name Wegovy is now more accessible for cash-paying patients, though compounded alternatives still offer the best long-term value.

Understanding Wegovy’s Pricing Structure

Wegovy pricing can be confusing because multiple price points exist depending on how you access the medication.

Manufacturer List Price

Novo Nordisk sets the wholesale acquisition cost for Wegovy at $1,349.02 per month (28-day supply). This list price is what pharmacies pay to acquire the medication and what insurance companies use as the basis for coverage calculations.

If you walk into a pharmacy without any discount programs or insurance, you’ll typically pay close to this list price, though individual pharmacy markups can push retail prices slightly higher or lower.

New Direct-to-Consumer Cash Pricing

In November 2025, Novo Nordisk announced significant price reductions for patients paying out of pocket. Through NovoCare Pharmacy and participating retailers, cash-paying patients can now access Wegovy at $349 per month for all dose strengths (0.25mg, 0.5mg, 1mg, 1.7mg, and 2.4mg).

New patients receive an introductory price of $199 per month for the first two months of treatment (covering the 0.25mg and 0.5mg starter doses). This introductory offer is available through March 31, 2026.

This pricing represents a dramatic reduction from the list price: $349 per month is 74% less than the $1,349 list price. The new pricing is available at over 70,000 retail pharmacies including Walmart and Costco, as well as through direct ordering from NovoCare Pharmacy with home delivery.

Who Qualifies for Cash-Pay Pricing

The $349 monthly pricing is specifically for self-pay patients, meaning those who are paying out of pocket without using insurance. This includes uninsured patients, patients whose insurance doesn’t cover Wegovy, and patients who choose to pay cash rather than use insurance.

Important limitation: if you have insurance that covers Wegovy but with high cost-sharing, you generally cannot combine insurance coverage with the cash-pay pricing. You must choose one or the other.

Price Comparison at a Glance

Pricing Scenario	Monthly Cost
List price (no discounts)	$1,349
Cash-pay through NovoCare/retailers	$349
Introductory cash-pay (first 2 months)	$199
With insurance + savings card (best case)	$0
Compounded semaglutide	$199

Insurance Coverage: The Complete Picture

Despite the new cash-pay pricing, understanding insurance coverage remains important because covered patients may pay even less than cash-pay rates.

Commercial Insurance Coverage

Many commercial (employer-provided or individual marketplace) insurance plans now cover Wegovy for qualifying patients, though coverage isn’t universal.

Plans that cover Wegovy typically require prior authorization before approving the prescription. This process involves your doctor submitting documentation proving you have a BMI of 30 or higher (obesity), or a BMI of 27 or higher with at least one weight-related comorbidity (high blood pressure, type 2 diabetes, high cholesterol, sleep apnea, etc.), and documentation of previous weight loss attempts (diet, exercise programs, sometimes previous medications).

Even plans that cover Wegovy often implement restrictions including step therapy requiring you to try other weight loss approaches first, quantity limits restricting how many pens you can fill at once, specialist requirements mandating prescription from certain provider types, and annual coverage limits.

Plans That Exclude Weight Loss Medications

Many insurance plans explicitly exclude coverage for weight loss medications in their policy documents. This exclusion means Wegovy is not covered regardless of medical necessity, doctor recommendation, or obesity severity.

For patients with coverage exclusions, the new $349 cash-pay pricing provides a much more accessible option than the previous situation where they faced the full $1,349 list price.

How to Check Your Coverage

Before starting Wegovy, verify your coverage status by calling your insurance company’s member services line and asking specifically whether Wegovy is covered, what tier it’s on (affects copay amount), what prior authorization requirements exist, and what your estimated out-of-pocket cost would be.

Compare your estimated insurance cost to the $349 cash-pay option. In some cases, paying cash may actually be less expensive than using insurance with high deductibles or coinsurance.

Coverage Tiers and Cost Sharing

Even when insurance covers Wegovy, you’ll have cost sharing through deductibles, copays, or coinsurance.

Deductible: You pay full price until meeting your annual deductible. If your deductible is $3,000, you’d pay the full amount for Wegovy until reaching that threshold (though you might choose the $349 cash-pay option instead).

Copay: A fixed amount per prescription, typically $30 to $150 for specialty medications on preferred tiers.

Coinsurance: A percentage of the medication cost. At 30% coinsurance on the list price, you’d owe approximately $405 monthly, which is actually more than the $349 cash-pay price.

This is why comparing your insurance cost to the cash-pay option matters. Sometimes bypassing insurance and paying $349 cash is the better financial choice.

Medicare and Medicaid Coverage

Government insurance programs face unique restrictions that limit Wegovy access.

Medicare Part D Limitations

Medicare Part D prescription drug plans cannot cover medications prescribed specifically for weight loss. Federal law enacted when Medicare Part D was created explicitly excludes weight loss drugs from covered benefits.

This means Medicare beneficiaries prescribed Wegovy for weight loss cannot use Medicare coverage. Additionally, manufacturer savings programs cannot be used with Medicare due to federal anti-kickback regulations.

The good news for Medicare beneficiaries is that the new $349 cash-pay pricing (or $199 introductory pricing) provides a much more accessible option than the previous $1,349 list price. Seniors can access brand-name Wegovy through NovoCare Pharmacy or participating retailers at these reduced cash prices.

Medicare can cover semaglutide if prescribed for type 2 diabetes (using Ozempic rather than Wegovy). Coverage for cardiovascular risk reduction in diabetic patients is also possible under some Part D plans.

Medicaid Coverage

Medicaid coverage varies dramatically by state. Some states include anti-obesity medications in their Medicaid formularies while others explicitly exclude them.

As of early 2025, at least 14 states offer some Medicaid coverage for Wegovy, though approval processes typically require extensive documentation and prior authorization.

Like Medicare, Medicaid programs cannot use manufacturer savings programs due to federal regulations. However, Medicaid recipients in states without coverage can access the $349 cash-pay pricing as an alternative.

Novo Nordisk Savings Programs

The manufacturer offers multiple programs to reduce costs, with different options for different patient situations.

Wegovy Savings Card (For Insured Patients)

For patients with commercial insurance that covers Wegovy, the savings card can reduce out-of-pocket costs to as little as $0 per month.

Eligibility requirements include having commercial (private) health insurance that covers Wegovy. The savings card covers your copay, coinsurance, or deductible amounts up to a maximum of $225 per month for up to 13 fills.

The savings card cannot be used with government insurance (Medicare, Medicaid, TRICARE, Veterans Affairs) due to federal regulations.

How the Savings Card Works

Your insurance processes the Wegovy claim first and determines your cost-sharing amount. The savings card then covers up to $225 of your out-of-pocket cost. For most commercially insured patients with coverage, this results in $0 out-of-pocket cost.

Direct-to-Consumer Cash Pricing (For Uninsured/Self-Pay Patients)

For patients without insurance coverage or who choose to pay cash, the new pricing structure provides:

Introductory offer: $199 per month for the first two months (0.25mg and 0.5mg doses). This offer is available for new patients through March 31, 2026.

Ongoing pricing: $349 per month for all dose strengths after the introductory period.

This pricing is available through NovoCare Pharmacy (with home delivery), participating retail pharmacies including Walmart and Costco, and other authorized channels.

To access this pricing, you still need a prescription from a healthcare provider. You can obtain prescriptions through your regular doctor, telehealth platforms, or other licensed prescribers.

Patient Assistance Program (For Low-Income Uninsured Patients)

For uninsured patients meeting income requirements, Novo Nordisk offers a patient assistance program that can provide free medication.

Eligibility typically requires household income below 400% of federal poverty level (approximately $62,400 for a single person or $129,000 for a family of four in 2025), U.S. citizenship or legal residency, and no insurance coverage for Wegovy.

The application process requires extensive financial documentation and takes 4 to 6 weeks for processing. Given the new $349 cash-pay pricing, some patients may find it simpler to pay cash rather than navigate the patient assistance application process.

Comparing Wegovy to Other Options

Understanding how Wegovy compares to alternatives helps inform your decision.

Wegovy vs Ozempic

Both medications contain semaglutide and work identically. Wegovy is FDA-approved specifically for weight loss at doses up to 2.4mg weekly, while Ozempic is approved for diabetes at doses up to 2mg weekly.

Pricing comparison (November 2025):

• Wegovy list price: $1,349 per month
• Ozempic list price: $997.58 per month
• Wegovy cash-pay: $349 per month
• Ozempic cash-pay: $349 per month ($499 for 2mg dose)

With the new cash-pay pricing, Wegovy and Ozempic cost the same for most doses, eliminating the previous price advantage of choosing Ozempic off-label for weight loss.

Wegovy vs Zepbound

Zepbound contains tirzepatide, which showed superior weight loss compared to semaglutide in clinical trials (22.5% versus 14.9% average total body weight loss).

Zepbound’s list price is approximately $1,069 per month. Eli Lilly offers its own savings programs, though the pricing structure differs from Novo Nordisk’s new cash-pay options.

Our comparison of semaglutide versus tirzepatide medications covers the differences in detail.

Wegovy vs Compounded Semaglutide

Compounded semaglutide contains the same active ingredient as Wegovy. Compounded semaglutide through TrimRx costs $199 per month, which is now closer to brand-name pricing but still offers savings.

Cost comparison for ongoing treatment:

• Brand-name Wegovy cash-pay: $349 per month
• Compounded semaglutide: $199 per month
• Monthly savings with compounded: $150

Over 12 months of treatment:

• Brand-name Wegovy: $4,188 (assuming $199 for 2 months + $349 for 10 months)
• Compounded semaglutide: $2,388
• Annual savings: $1,800

The savings with compounded semaglutide are less dramatic than before Novo Nordisk’s price reduction but still meaningful over extended treatment periods.

When Brand-Name Makes Sense

Brand-name Wegovy may be the better choice if your insurance covers it with $0 or low copay after the savings card, if you prefer the convenience of pre-filled pen devices over vials and syringes, if you want FDA-approved medication with standardized manufacturing, or if the $150 monthly difference isn’t a significant concern for your budget.

When Compounded Makes Sense

Compounded semaglutide remains the better value if you want the lowest possible ongoing monthly cost, if you’re comfortable with vial-and-syringe administration, if you’re planning long-term treatment where the $150 monthly savings compounds significantly, or if you prefer the simplicity of flat-rate pricing without navigating multiple programs.

Total Treatment Cost Analysis

Understanding complete treatment costs helps with financial planning.

12-Month Treatment Comparison

For one full year of treatment with the new pricing:

Brand-name Wegovy (cash-pay): $4,188 ($199 × 2 months + $349 × 10 months) Compounded semaglutide: $2,388 ($199 × 12 months) Savings with compounded: $1,800

18-Month Treatment Comparison

For typical treatment duration to reach goal weight:

Brand-name Wegovy (cash-pay): $5,986 ($199 × 2 + $349 × 16) Compounded semaglutide: $3,582 ($199 × 18) Savings with compounded: $2,404

Long-Term Maintenance Comparison

If ongoing maintenance is necessary (which research suggests for sustained results):

3 years brand-name (after intro period): $12,564 ($349 × 36) 3 years compounded: $7,164 ($199 × 36) Savings over 3 years: $5,400

For people requiring truly long-term treatment, the cumulative savings from compounded alternatives remain substantial even with reduced brand-name pricing.

Comparing to Previous Pricing

The landscape has changed significantly. Previously, patients without insurance coverage faced $1,349 monthly costs, making brand-name Wegovy inaccessible for most. Now:

Previous uninsured cost: $1,349 per month ($16,188 annually) New cash-pay cost: $349 per month ($4,188 annually with intro pricing) Reduction: $12,000 annual savings versus previous pricing

This makes brand-name GLP-1 medications accessible to a much broader population than before.

Strategies for Getting the Best Price

With multiple pricing options available, here’s how to find the best deal for your situation.

Step 1: Check Insurance Coverage

Contact your insurance to determine if Wegovy is covered and what your cost-sharing would be. If covered with the savings card reducing your cost to $0, that’s your best option.

Step 2: Compare Insurance Cost to Cash-Pay

If your insurance covers Wegovy but with significant cost-sharing (high deductible or coinsurance), calculate your actual out-of-pocket cost. If it exceeds $349 monthly, the cash-pay option may be better.

Step 3: Evaluate Compounded Alternatives

If you’re paying out of pocket regardless, compare the $349 brand-name cash price to $199 compounded semaglutide. The $150 monthly difference ($1,800 annually) may or may not be significant depending on your financial situation and preferences.

Step 4: Consider Your Timeline

For new patients, the $199 introductory brand-name pricing matches compounded pricing for the first two months. You could start with brand-name at $199, then decide whether to continue at $349 or switch to compounded at $199.

Step 5: Use HSA/FSA Funds

Regardless of which option you choose, using Health Savings Account or Flexible Spending Account funds provides tax advantages, effectively reducing costs by 20-30% depending on your tax bracket.

Frequently Asked Questions

How much does Wegovy cost per month without insurance?

Wegovy’s cost without insurance depends on which pricing option you access. The manufacturer list price is $1,349.02 per month, but Novo Nordisk now offers direct-to-consumer cash pricing of $349 per month through NovoCare Pharmacy and participating retailers like Walmart and Costco. New patients can access an introductory price of $199 per month for the first two months of treatment (available through March 31, 2026). This new cash-pay pricing represents a 74% reduction from the list price and makes brand-name Wegovy significantly more accessible for uninsured patients or those whose insurance doesn’t cover weight loss medications. To access these prices, you still need a valid prescription from a healthcare provider.

Can I get Wegovy for $0 with the savings card?

Yes, you can potentially get Wegovy for $0 monthly with the savings card, but only if you have commercial health insurance that covers Wegovy. The savings card covers up to $225 of your monthly out-of-pocket cost (copay, coinsurance, or deductible) for up to 13 fills. For most commercially insured patients with coverage, this results in $0 cost. However, the savings card cannot be used if you’re uninsured (use the $349 cash-pay option instead), if your insurance denies coverage for Wegovy, or if you have government insurance like Medicare, Medicaid, or TRICARE. Patients with government insurance can access the $349 cash-pay pricing but cannot use the savings card.

Is Wegovy covered by Medicare?

No, Medicare cannot cover Wegovy for weight loss. Federal law prohibits Medicare Part D prescription drug plans from covering medications prescribed specifically for weight loss, regardless of medical necessity or obesity severity. Additionally, Medicare beneficiaries cannot use manufacturer savings programs due to federal anti-kickback regulations. However, the new $349 cash-pay pricing (or $199 introductory pricing for new patients) provides Medicare beneficiaries a much more accessible option than the previous $1,349 list price. Seniors can access brand-name Wegovy through NovoCare Pharmacy or participating retailers at these reduced cash prices by paying out of pocket.

What’s the cheapest way to get Wegovy or semaglutide?

The cheapest option depends on your situation. For commercially insured patients whose plans cover Wegovy, using insurance plus the savings card can reduce costs to $0. For uninsured patients meeting strict income requirements, Novo Nordisk’s patient assistance program provides free medication. For everyone else paying out of pocket, compounded semaglutide at $199 per month through TrimRx offers the lowest ongoing cost, saving $150 monthly compared to the brand-name $349 cash-pay price. New patients can access brand-name Wegovy at $199 for the first two months, matching compounded pricing during the introductory period, then decide whether the $150 monthly savings of compounded makes sense for ongoing treatment.

Is compounded semaglutide the same as Wegovy?

Compounded semaglutide contains the same active ingredient (semaglutide) as Wegovy and works identically in your body. The chemical compound, mechanism of action, and effectiveness are the same because you’re taking the same medication. The differences are in delivery method (vials versus pre-filled pens), regulatory status (compounded versus FDA-approved), and price ($199 versus $349 monthly for cash-pay). When prepared by FDA-registered compounding pharmacies, both have equivalent safety and effectiveness profiles. The choice often comes down to whether you prefer the convenience of pen devices and FDA-approved manufacturing at $349 monthly, or are comfortable with vial administration and compounding pharmacy preparation at $199 monthly.

Why did Novo Nordisk lower Wegovy prices?

Novo Nordisk announced the price reduction in November 2025 as part of efforts to expand access to GLP-1 medications. The company stated the new pricing is intended to make FDA-approved treatments more affordable and accessible for patients with chronic diseases like obesity. The price reduction also came amid pressure from the Trump administration to lower drug costs, with announcements about reduced pricing for Medicare, Medicaid, and the planned TrumpRx pharmaceutical program. Competition from compounded medications, which offered semaglutide at significantly lower prices, likely also influenced the decision to make brand-name options more competitive.

How long do I need to take Wegovy for weight loss?

Most people need at least 12 to 18 months of Wegovy or equivalent semaglutide treatment to achieve significant weight loss. Clinical trials ran for 68 weeks (approximately 16 months), with participants losing an average of 14.9% of total body weight. Many people require ongoing medication to maintain weight loss, as research shows significant weight regain when semaglutide is discontinued. Given this timeline, total treatment cost remains important: 18 months of brand-name Wegovy at cash-pay pricing costs approximately $5,986, while 18 months of compounded semaglutide costs $3,582. Our guide to semaglutide weight loss results covers expected timelines in detail.

Can I switch between brand-name Wegovy and compounded semaglutide?

Yes, you can switch between brand-name Wegovy and compounded semaglutide since both contain the same active ingredient. The dosing and titration schedule remain identical. Some patients start with brand-name at the $199 introductory price for the first two months, then switch to compounded at $199 ongoing to maintain the lowest cost. Others start with compounded and switch to brand-name if their insurance coverage changes. Work with your healthcare provider to ensure proper dosing continuity during any transition. The medication works the same regardless of source, so your results should remain consistent.

Where can I get Wegovy at the $349 cash price?

The $349 monthly cash-pay price for Wegovy is available through NovoCare Pharmacy (Novo Nordisk’s direct-to-consumer pharmacy with home delivery), participating retail pharmacies including Walmart and Costco, and over 70,000 other retail locations. You need a valid prescription from a healthcare provider to access this pricing. The cash-pay option is for self-pay patients only and cannot be combined with insurance. Visit wegovy.com or call NovoCare at 1-833-4-WEGOVY for more information on accessing the reduced pricing.

Making Informed Decisions About Wegovy Costs

The Wegovy pricing landscape has changed dramatically with Novo Nordisk’s November 2025 price reductions. Brand-name Wegovy is now accessible at $349 per month for cash-paying patients, a 74% reduction from the $1,349 list price that previously made the medication unaffordable for most people without insurance coverage.

For patients with commercial insurance that covers Wegovy, using the savings card to reduce costs to $0 remains the best option. For everyone else, including the uninsured, Medicare beneficiaries, and those with insurance that excludes weight loss medications, both brand-name cash-pay and compounded alternatives now offer viable paths to treatment.

The choice between brand-name Wegovy at $349 monthly and compounded semaglutide at $199 monthly comes down to personal preference and budget. Brand-name offers the convenience of pre-filled pens and FDA-approved manufacturing. Compounded offers lower ongoing costs with $150 monthly savings ($1,800 annually) that compound significantly over long-term treatment.

Both options provide access to the same active ingredient that clinical trials showed produces average weight loss of 14.9% of total body weight. The most important factor is finding an option that fits your budget for sustained treatment, since consistent long-term use produces the best outcomes.

Whether you qualify for insurance coverage, prefer brand-name at the new cash-pay pricing, or want the lowest cost through compounded alternatives, effective semaglutide treatment is now more accessible than ever. Compounded semaglutide at $199 monthly through TrimRx provides the most affordable ongoing option. For those who achieve better results with tirzepatide, compounded tirzepatide at $349 monthly offers another alternative with potentially superior weight loss outcomes.

Get started with comprehensive medical support, clear guidance on dosing and maximizing results, and convenient online access to GLP-1 treatment at prices that make sustained weight loss achievable.