How do I get Ozempic for $25 a month?

In this article:

• How much does Ozempic cost?
• The $25 offer for Ozempic
• Other ways to get affordable Ozempic

In this article

• How much does Ozempic cost?
• The $25 offer for Ozempic
• Other ways to get affordable Ozempic

Ozempic (semaglutide) is an injectable prescription medication from a class of drugs called glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) receptor agonists. Although it initially garnered attention for its weight loss benefits and is prescribed off-label for weight loss, Ozempic has not been approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for that purpose. Instead, it is FDA approved for controlling blood sugar levels in people with Type 2 diabetes, reducing cardiovascular risk, and controlling kidney disease.

Ozempic prices can vary based on factors like insurance coverage and the reason for taking it. Plus, thanks to a discount from the drug’s manufacturer, you may be able to get it for as little as $25 for a one-month, two-month, or three-month supply. Here’s how. 

How much does Ozempic cost?

Ozempic isn’t exactly cheap. Without insurance coverage, an Ozempic pen can cost $1,349 for a 28-day supply of a pen containing 1 milligram (mg) per dose. But this is just an average. Ozempic’s out-of-pocket expenses depend on several factors.

Each pharmacy sets its own prices, which depend on factors such as location, overhead, and affiliations. In fact, a study published in 2019 concluded that independent pharmacies and small chains typically charged higher cash (without insurance) prices than larger chains. As with many expensive prescription medications, there are ways to get Ozempic for much less.

Ozempic cost with insurance

The most common way to save money on any prescription drug is by using health insurance, which can drastically drop the price. But that hinges on why the healthcare provider prescribed it. For example, many plans cover Ozempic prescriptions for Type 2 diabetes—but not for weight loss.

However, that’s constantly changing, according to Sulagna Misra, MD, founder of Misra Wellness. She says some insurance companies that once covered Ozempic for obesity now might only cover Wegovy instead—or neither. Wegovy is a brand-name medication made by Novo Nordisk, the same manufacturer that makes Ozempic. Like Ozempic, Wegovy contains the active ingredient semaglutide. The main difference between the two is that Ozempic is currently approved for Type 2 diabetes and kidney disease, and Wegovy is currently approved for weight management. (Both are also approved for cardiovascular risk reduction.) This may complicate insurance matters in some cases. 

Further, Dr. Misra says many insurance plans now require prior authorization from the healthcare provider before approving weight loss drug coverage. And some will only cover one medication after the patient has tried other drugs or even certain diets. Relatively simple paperwork errors about the brand name or prior authorization requirements can be enough to deny a claim. 

Medicare, however, is a different story. A 2003 law prohibits government-sponsored plans like Medicare from covering weight loss medication. “This was due to the fact that weight loss medications and obesity were considered cosmetic and not a chronic disease state back then,” says Jonathan Kaplan, MD, founder of Pacific Heights Plastic Surgery in San Francisco. “There is federal legislation with bipartisan support for obesity medication coverage, but it’s simply too expensive.”

Even though many formularies for Medicare Part D and private insurance include Ozempic for diabetes, cardiovascular risk reduction, or kidney disease, their copayments, deductibles, and coinsurance may vary. After insurance, beneficiaries may only end up paying a couple hundred dollars per month for Ozempic instead of over $1,000 when the drug is prescribed for Type 2 diabetes.

The $25 offer for Ozempic

Insurance policies alone can provide significantly discounted prices, but NovoCare through Novo Nordisk may have an even better offer for insured patients. Recognizing the need for a more budget-friendly option, the manufacturer has introduced a discount card that can help patients with commercial or private insurance get Ozempic for as little as $25 for a one-, two-, or three-month prescription for up to 48 months.  

More specifically, it’s a maximum savings of $100 on a one-month prescription, $200 for a two-month prescription, or $300 for a three-month supply of Ozempic—on top of your insurance coverage. So, not everyone will pay as little as $25—it depends on your insurance company’s coverage. Keep in mind, though, that program details can change at any time. Also, applicants have to meet a few stipulations to qualify.

Eligibility criteria for the Ozempic $25 coupon

First off, Novo Nordisk says qualified applicants must be enrolled in a private insurance plan, and that plan needs to cover Ozempic partially. It doesn’t apply to anyone paying completely out of pocket. But it also won’t apply if private insurance or another pharmacy benefits program covers the entire cost of Ozempic. 

Additionally, applicants are ineligible if they’re enrolled in any state or federal program with prescription medication coverage. That includes Medicare, Medicaid, VA, DOD, and TRICARE coverage. The offer is only valid in the United States, it’s not transferable to another person, and it lasts for a maximum of 48 months. The applicant is still responsible for all copayments and other fees issued by their health insurance policy. 

How to apply for the Ozempic $25 coupon

The application process itself is pretty simple. Go to the Ozempic website and click the button that says “Sign Up and Save.” Or, text BEGIN to 21848 to get started. 

The online form asks for standard information, like name, date of birth, and ZIP code—but it also requests confirmation that you have a private insurance plan and that you’re not on any government-sponsored health plans (such as Medicare or TRICARE). 

If Novo Nordisk approves the application, you can print, download, or email yourself an Ozempic savings card, which you’ll present to the pharmacist. Anyone who uses a mail-order pharmacy is eligible, too, although they’ll have to purchase the medication first and then apply for reimbursement by sending their proof of purchase and insurance plan information. 

This savings card will work at just about any local pharmacy. However, some insurance providers may require prior authorization from your prescribing healthcare provider before they issue coverage.

Other ways to get affordable Ozempic

There are several other things you can do to save on Ozempic. Here are a few of the best ways.

Get a SingleCare prescription discount card

SingleCare negotiates directly with pharmacies to offer free coupons that could help save up to 80% on prescription medicines. You can’t use SingleCare and insurance together, but if a particular plan doesn’t cover Ozempic—or doesn’t cover a large percentage of the cost—a SingleCare prescription discount card could knock hundreds off the medication’s price right off the bat. Check the SingleCare website for Ozempic coupons to start saving today.

Get it from a licensed healthcare provider

Part of saving on Ozempic is ensuring you don’t get overcharged. “There are patients that go to these ‘medispas’ that don’t even have doctors on staff or on-site. And then they are getting price gouged,” Dr. Misra says. ”I have patients who were previously paying $250 dollars per injection at some of these places, and then they price-gouge them to $800 per weekly injection.” That’s why she recommends patients only get prescriptions for Ozempic or similar drugs from someone with a doctor of medicine degree (an MD) or a doctor of osteopathic medicine degree (a DO). They are most qualified to give you medical advice on the best treatment options for your condition.

Look into Medicare Extra Help

Medicare Part D plans often cover Ozempic for FDA-approved uses such as Type 2 diabetes (but not for weight loss), and eligible individuals may also be eligible for additional financial savings. Medicare Extra Help provides more savings for people who need financial assistance for prescription drugs. Eligible beneficiaries are people with Medicare who have an annual income below $23,475 for an individual or $31,725 for a married couple, or resources of $17,600 for an individual or $35,130 for a married couple. If you qualify for Medicaid or a Medicare Savings Program (some of which do not have an asset test in certain states), you will qualify for Extra Help automatically.

Enroll in Novo Nordisk’s Patient Assistance Program

The Novo Nordisk Patient Assistance Program (PAP) helps uninsured people at or below 400% of the federal poverty level access Ozempic for free, as long as they meet all the eligibility requirements. Besides meeting the income requirement, qualifying patients must not be enrolled in private insurance, Medicare, or any other federal, state, or government program. 

Ask questions

Sometimes, insurance companies deny claims for small, easily fixable reasons. If the insurance provider denies a claim, find out why, since there might be a simple solution. Your healthcare provider can also file an appeal to the insurance company, explaining why it’s medically necessary and why you need the medication covered by insurance.