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Key takeaways
Mounjaro (tirzepatide) is an FDA-approved medication for Type 2 diabetes that is also gaining popularity for weight loss, but its high cost can be prohibitive for some patients.
Insurance coverage for Mounjaro varies, with many plans not covering it yet, especially for weight loss purposes, making out-of-pocket costs a significant concern for patients.
Strategies to save on Mounjaro include using free coupons from SingleCare, applying for the Mounjaro Savings Card from Eli Lilly, comparing pharmacy prices, and checking insurance prescription coverage.
If Mounjaro is unaffordable, healthcare providers may suggest cheaper alternatives, such as other GLP-1 receptor agonists, although there is no direct generic equivalent for Mounjaro.
Mounjaro (tirzepatide) is a brand-name prescription medication that has been approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to improve blood sugar control in adults with Type 2 diabetes (along with diet and exercise). More recently, Mounjaro has become increasingly popular for weight loss.
“In clinical trials Mounjaro has reduced patients’ weights by more than 20%,” explains Suzanne Soliman, Pharm.D., a board-certified pharmacist and founder of Pharmacist Moms Group. “As a result, the medication is now on a fast track to get FDA approval for the treatment of obesity.” However, many providers are already prescribing the med off-label for weight loss, which is causing it to become incredibly popular.
However, the cost of Mounjaro can be expensive—especially if you’re uninsured or your insurance won’t cover Mounjaro for weight loss. Fortunately, there are opportunities for Mounjaro savings, which help to reduce the cost of your prescription.
RELATED: Safe and effective weight-loss medications
How much does Mounjaro cost?
The average retail price of Mounjaro, without insurance or any discounts, is $1,539.54 for a monthly supply of four pen-injectors, each containing 2.5 mg/0.5 mL. (The medication is injected once weekly.)
The exact price will vary based on several factors including the pharmacy you use and the prescribed dosage.
Is Mounjaro covered by insurance?
As a newer medication, Mounjaro coverage by commercial insurance varies and Medicare and Medicaid most likely will not cover. However, some plans may provide insurance coverage for Mounjaro for the treatment of Type 2 diabetes or obesity, so it’s important to check with your insurance provider. The copay and out-of-pocket costs will vary by health plan.
RELATED: What obesity treatments does insurance cover?
Can I get Mounjaro for free?
Insurance may cover the entire cost of your Mounjaro prescription, if prescribed for the treatment of Type 2 diabetes, according to Dr. Soliman.
However, it’s often considered a “non-preferred” medication, which may require prior authorization to receive coverage, explains Wendi D. Jones, Pharm.D., a pharmacist for Aspen RxHealth.
How to save money on Mounjaro
If you do not have health insurance or are underinsured, there are still ways to save on your prescription costs. Read on to learn about discount programs and available Mounjaro coupons.
1. Free Mounjaro coupons
SingleCare offers free coupons that can help you save on the cash price of your Mounjaro prescription. With SingleCare, your Mounjaro could be as little as $976 for 4, 0.5 mL of 2.5 mg/0.5 mL pen-injectors. SingleCare prices vary by quantity, strength, form, and pharmacy, so be sure to check for your exact price.
2. Mounjaro Savings Card
Eli Lilly, the manufacturer of Mounjaro, offers a Mounjaro Savings Card, which allows individuals with Type 2 diabetes to pay as little as $25 for a one-month or three-month prescription. There are eligibility requirements in order to use the discount card. You must be at least 18 years of age, a resident of the United States or Puerto Rico, and have eligible insurance coverage. The manufacturer coupon does not apply to beneficiaries of a government-funded prescription program, such as Medicaid or Medicare Part D.
To receive your Mounjaro savings card, you will need to complete a short form online and then choose your delivery method: You can download the card, receive it through email, or add it to your mobile wallet.
3. Compare prices
Pharmacy prices vary, even for the same medication. To get the best price, it’s important to compare prices at multiple pharmacies.
4. Check your prescription coverage
The price you pay for Mounjaro will largely depend on your prescription coverage. Although many insurance plans do not yet cover the cost of Mounjaro, drug formularies can change at any time. Compare the formulary of several plans during your next open enrollment period to ensure you choose the plan best suited for your specific needs.
5. Switch medications
If possible, switch to a lower cost alternative. Ask your healthcare provider if there is an effective but cheaper medication that could work for you. Other prescription medications may be available in a generic version or be covered by your insurance plan, resulting in a lower out-of-pocket cost.
Is there a cheaper alternative to Mounjaro?
Although there isn’t currently a generic form of Mounjaro available, there are other medications that may be prescribed in its place.
“There are other GLP-1 receptor agonists, but no other medications in the same class as Mounjaro (GIP/GLP-1 agonists), making it a unique medicine,” Dr. Jones explains. “However, many people do very well on alternative GLP-1 agonists such as Ozempic (semaglutide), Trulicity (dulaglutide), or Victoza (liraglutide). Saxenda (liraglutide) and Wegovy (semaglutide) are FDA indicated for weight loss while the others would be used off-label for weight loss.”
Compare prices of Mounjaro alternatives |
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|---|---|---|---|
| Drug name | Price without insurance | SingleCare price | Coupons |
| Mounjaro (tirzepatide) | $1,539 per 4, 0.5 mL of 2.5 mg/0.5 mL pen-injectors | $975 per 4, 0.5 mL of 2.5 mg/0.5 mL pen-injectors | See updated prices |
| Ozempic (semaglutide) 0.25 or 0.5 mg/dose | $1,255 per 1, 1.5 mL of 2 mg/1.5 mL pen-injector | $750 per 1, 1.5 mL of 2 mg/1.5 mL pen-injector | See updated prices |
| Ozempic (semaglutide) 1 mg/dose | $1,203 per 1, 3 mL of 4 mg/3 mL pen-injector | $750 per 1, 3 mL of 4 mg/3 mL pen-injector | See updated prices |
| Trulicity (dulaglutide) | $1,300 per 4, 0.5 mL of 1.5 mg/0.5 mL pen-injectors | $749 per 4, 0.5 mL of 1.5 mg/0.5 mL pen-injectors | See updated prices |
| Saxenda (liraglutide) | $1,754 per 5, 3 mL of 18 mg/3 mL pen-injectors | $1,258 per 5, 3 mL of 18 mg/3 mL pen-injectors | See updated prices |
| Victoza (liraglutide) | $1,388 per 3, 3 mL of 18 mg/3 mL pen-injectors | $858 per 3, 3 mL of 18 mg/3 mL pen-injectors | See updated prices |
| Wegovy (semaglutide) | $1,752 per 4, 0.75 mL of 2.4 mg/0.75 mL pen-injectors | $1,197 per 4, 0.75 mL of 2.4 mg/0.75 mL pen-injectors | See updated prices |
Prescription drug prices often change. These are the most accurate medication prices at the time of publishing.
Note: Saxenda and Victoza are prescribed for daily use, while the other medications listed are once-weekly injections.
If you’re struggling to afford your Mounjaro prescription, talk to your healthcare provider. They may know of opportunities to save money on your prescription. They may also be able to recommend a less expensive prescription medication to use in place of Mounjaro.
Because of the medication’s popularity, you may also experience issues filling Mounjaro—even if you have insurance coverage. There have been problems with back orders of Mounjaro and similar medications. If this is the case, speak to your provider about alternative options.
Always take your medication as prescribed and don’t stop taking it without first seeking medical advice from your healthcare professional.