How to save on Mounjaro

In this article:

• Mounjaro cost
• Insurance coverage
• Can you get Mounjaro free?
• Ways to save
• Alternatives

In this article

• Mounjaro cost
• Insurance coverage
• Can you get Mounjaro free?
• Ways to save
• Alternatives

Mounjaro (tirzepatide) is a brand-name prescription drug manufactured by Eli Lilly and Company that has been approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to improve blood sugar control in adults and children 10 years and older with Type 2 diabetes (along with diet and exercise). Mounjaro is also popular for weight loss, although it is not FDA-approved for this use.

“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. Although Mounjaro is not FDA-approved for weight loss, many providers prescribe it off-label for this use, which is causing it to become increasingly popular. The FDA has approved Zepbound, which contains the same active ingredient as Mounjaro, for weight loss and obstructive sleep apnea (OSA). 

However, Mounjaro can be expensive—especially if you’re uninsured or your drug 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 over $1,500 for a monthly supply. (The medication is injected once weekly.)

The exact price will vary based on several factors, including:

• Your location
• Which pharmacy you choose
• The prescribed dosage
• Your health insurance coverage

Is Mounjaro covered by insurance?

Insurance coverage varies by plan, but many insurance plans cover Mounjaro when it’s prescribed for its FDA-approved indication, which is Type 2 diabetes. However, since plans vary, the only way to know for sure if Mounjaro will be covered is to check with your insurance company for your specific coverage.

Many health insurance companies require prior authorization before they’ll cover Mounjaro. This means your healthcare provider will answer questions about your health and submit documentation to prove that you have Type 2 diabetes. You may be denied Mounjaro coverage if it’s been prescribed for an off-label use, like weight loss or sleep apnea treatment. The FDA has approved another name-brand medication, Zepbound, for these indications. Some insurance companies cover Mounjaro but not Zepbound, or vice versa.

An insurance plan’s formulary is its list of covered drugs and the payment tiers for each. Lower tiers are usually generics and inexpensive brand-name drugs, while higher tiers are usually higher-cost brand-name drugs. When insurance does cover Mounjaro, it tends to be a mid-tier drug, such as Tier 2 or Tier 3. On most plans, copayments and coinsurance increase according to the tier number. Here’s how to find out how much Mounjaro costs with insurance: 

1. Check your insurance plan’s formulary to find out which tier has been assigned to Mounjaro.
2. Check your plan’s summary of benefits to see how much you owe for a drug in the appropriate tier.

For example, if the formulary lists Mounjaro as Tier 2 and your summary of benefits says Tier 2 drugs are subject to a $35 copay, you’ll pay $35 at the pharmacy. However, depending on your plan design, this copayment may apply only after you meet your annual prescription drug deductible. Until the deductible is satisfied, you may be responsible for the full allowed amount (or cash or retail cost, depending on your pharmacy and network status) for the first fills. The deductible resets at the start of each plan year.

Does Medicare cover Mounjaro?

Some Medicare Part D plans cover Mounjaro, but not all do. If your Medicare plan offers Mounjaro coverage, you’ll pay copay or coinsurance according to Mounjaro’s assigned tier, just like with commercial insurance. Copay and coinsurance amounts vary by plan.

Federal law limits Medicare Part D out-of-pocket costs to $2,100 for the entire year of 2026. This only applies to prescriptions covered by your plan. If your Medicare Part D plan doesn’t cover Mounjaro, the amount you pay at the pharmacy doesn’t apply toward the $2,100 limit. 

Does Medicaid cover Mounjaro?

Medicaid coverage varies by state. Many Medicaid programs cover Type 2 diabetes treatments like Mounjaro, but coverage isn’t guaranteed. It’s best to check with your specific state Medicaid plan for more information about Mounjaro coverage and cost.

RELATED: What obesity treatments does insurance cover?

Can I get Mounjaro for free?

If prescribed for the treatment of Type 2 diabetes, the entire cost of Mounjaro may be covered for commercially insured patients, 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 a significant amount on the cash price of your Mounjaro prescription. SingleCare prices vary by quantity, strength, form, and pharmacy, so be sure to check for your exact price.  

SingleCare coupons are free to use, but they can’t be combined with insurance or other discounts. They’re a good solution for people who don’t have insurance, whose insurance plan doesn’t cover Mounjaro, or who don’t qualify for other savings programs. 

Save up to 80% on Mounjaro with SingleCare

Different pharmacies offer different prices for the same medication. SingleCare helps find the best price for you.

Mounjaro 5 mg/0.5 mL (4 pens)

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$895.47

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$906.68

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See Mounjaro prices at all pharmacies

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 up to a three-month prescription. There are eligibility requirements for using the savings card, which you can find in detail on the manufacturer’s website. You must be at least 18 years of age, a resident of the United States or Puerto Rico, and have eligible commercial insurance. If your insurance plan covers Mounjaro, you’re limited to a maximum savings of $1,950 per calendar year. If you have commercial insurance but it doesn’t cover Mounjaro, you may pay as low as $499 per month with this card, and you’re limited to a maximum savings of $8,411 per calendar year.

The Mounjaro savings card program does not apply to governmental beneficiaries, such as those with 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. Medicare Extra Help

If you qualify for Medicare and meet certain income requirements, you may be eligible for a low-income subsidy (LIS) program called Extra Help. 

Extra Help pays your Medicare Part D premiums on your behalf and significantly reduces the amount you pay at the pharmacy. After your total drug costs reach $2,100, all of your covered prescriptions are free for the rest of the year. 

4. Compare prices

Pharmacy prices vary, even for the same medication. To get the best price, you can compare prices at multiple pharmacies. You can also ask the pharmacy to check the difference between a one-month and three-month supply, as some pharmacies may offer a discount when you purchase a larger quantity up front.

5. Ask about Mounjaro alternatives

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. Here are alternative FDA-approved Type 2 diabetes medications that may also help with weight loss:

• Victoza
• Liraglutide (generic Victoza)
• Jardiance
• Farxiga
• Invokana
• Rybelsus
• Trulicity
• Ozempic
• Januvia
• Metformin

If Mounjaro is too pricey, ask your provider if any of these medications might be suitable for you.

Is there a cheaper alternative to Mounjaro?

Although a generic form of Mounjaro isn’t currently available, other medications may be prescribed in its place. 

“Many people do very well on 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,” Dr. Jones explains.

*A cost-saving generic is available for this drug

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, such as the generic version of Victoza, liraglutide. 

Common side effects of Mounjaro include:

• Nausea and vomiting
• Diarrhea or constipation
• Decreased appetite
• Stomach pain
• Indigestion

To minimize these side effects, follow your healthcare provider’s instructions for use and discuss potential drug interactions. If you notice any signs of allergic reactions, seek emergency medical attention.

Mounjaro has a black box warning, which is the FDA’s strictest safety warning for brand-name and generic medications. In animal studies, Mounjaro was associated with the development of a type of thyroid cancer, and is contraindicated (should not be used) in individuals with a personal or family history of medullary thyroid carcinoma (MTC) or in people with Multiple Endocrine Neoplasia syndrome type 2 (MEN 2).

Always take your medication as prescribed and don’t stop taking it without first seeking medical advice from your healthcare professional.