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Key takeaways
Wegovy is an injectable medication for weight loss, suitable for individuals with a BMI of 30 or greater, or 27 or greater with certain conditions, but it comes with possible side effects and is expensive without insurance.
Insurance coverage for Wegovy is not guaranteed, and while commercial insurance may not cover it, some Medicare Advantage and Medicaid plans might.
Savings on Wegovy can be achieved through coupons from SingleCare, a manufacturer savings card from Novo Nordisk, or switching to a Medicare Advantage plan.
Cheaper alternatives to Wegovy include FDA-approved prescription medications like Adipex-P, Ozempic, Xenical, Bontril PDM, Tenuate Dospan, and Saxenda, with prices varying widely.
During the COVID-19 pandemic, many of us put on a few unwanted pounds from being stuck indoors and losing our typical routine. One study found that almost half (48%) of adults gained weight during this time. And many people are still trying to get back in shape. But what happens when you’re tracking your calories and exercising, but the scale still doesn’t budge? That’s when you may want to seek medical advice from your healthcare provider about a weight loss medication like Wegovy.
What is Wegovy?
“Semaglutide, sold under the brand name Wegovy, is a peptide that belongs to a class of medications called GLP-1 receptor agonists,” says Nadav Fields, MD, a board-certified physician in internal medicine and obesity medicine and founder of CR8 Health Anti-Aging and Weight Loss in Boca Raton, Florida.
GLP-1 receptor agonists work by helping the body release insulin, which can help those with Type 2 diabetes or obesity. But that isn’t all that Wegovy (semaglutide) does to help an individual lose weight.
“Wegovy delays gastric (stomach) emptying, which slows down digestion,” Dr. Fields explains. “Semaglutide also decreases both the release and breakdown of stored carbohydrates as well as the synthesis of new glucose by inhibiting the production of glucagon, which is a hormone responsible for increasing glucose levels in the body.”
Wegovy is a once-weekly injection, so if you’re interested in starting this medication, you’ll need to be comfortable with needles. It’s also FDA approved for weight management in only individuals with a BMI of 30 or greater. Eligibility for individuals with a BMI of 27 or greater is possible if they have specific weight-related problems, such as hypertension, Type 2 diabetes, or hyperlipidemia.
“The mild side effects [of Wegovy] are bloating, diarrhea, headache, vomiting, and constipation,” says Brian Clark, a registered nurse and founder of United Medical Education. Although rare, Clark says severe side effects of the drug include “gallstones, allergic reactions, risk of thyroid cancer, and low blood sugar levels.”
How much does Wegovy cost?
If you pay cash and don’t have insurance coverage for Wegovy, you’ll typically pay $1,753 for four 0.75ML of 2.4MG/0.75ML solution auto-injector pens—which is a monthly supply.
If you do have insurance coverage, it is not guaranteed your insurance plan will pay for the drug. Commercial insurance companies are not required to cover medicines for weight loss. You’ll need to call your insurance company to find out if they cover Wegovy, and if they do, you may need prior authorization before a pharmacy can dispense it with coverage.
If you have government-issued insurance, there are potential ways to get covered. While Original Medicare does not cover Wegovy for weight loss, there are some Medicare Advantage plans and Medigap plans that will help pay for the prescription. And since Medicaid varies from state to state, you’ll need to get in contact with your state’s Medicaid office to find out if it’s covered.
Can I get Wegovy for free?
It’s unlikely you’ll get Wegovy for free unless your medical provider has free samples at their office and they’re able to give them out for a short trial use.
How to save money on Wegovy
However, there are ways that you can reduce the cost of this medication—with or without insurance.
1. Free Wegovy coupons
If your insurance won’t cover the cost of Wegovy for weight loss, use a coupon from SingleCare. If you sign up from SingleCare, right now, you can get Wegovy at CVS for a discounted price of around $1,200. While that price is still higher than most medications, compared to the cash price of $1,753, this is a significant amount of monthly savings around $550.
To get your Wegovy SingleCare coupon, click on this link and hit the button Get free coupon next to your preferred pharmacy. Just be sure the quantity, strength, and form of medication in the drop-downs at the top match what your provider has prescribed. Then you’ll just need to enter a bit of information to get the coupon sent directly to you. It should take less than a minute to cash in on the savings.
2. Wegovy manufacturer savings card
Novo Nordisk offers NovoCare, which helps Wegovy patients with affordability and access support. They provide a manufacturer coupon to help save on the prescription. With their Wegovy Savings Card, you can potentially get Wegovy for as low as a $0 copay for a 28-day supply. If you use the discount card with insurance, you can save up to $225, and if you do not have insurance, you can collect a maximum savings of $500. You can learn about the manufacturer’s savings card here.
3. Switch to Medicare Advantage
If you’re currently using Original Medicare, see about switching to a Medicare Advantage plan during the open enrollment period. You can see what prescription drugs these plans cover before switching, and if they cover Wegovy, you can potentially save big.
Is there a cheaper alternative to Wegovy?
While exercising and eating a reduced-calorie diet don’t have to cost extra money, this isn’t always a realistic solution to lose weight for those who are insulin-resistant. Other FDA-approved prescription medications that can help might cost less include the following.
| Prescription | Average retail price without insurance | SingleCare coupons |
| Adipex-P (phentermine) | $97 for 30, 37.5MG tablet | Adipex-P coupons |
| Ozempic | $1,204 per 1, 3ML of 4MG/3ML solution pen-injector | Ozempic coupons |
| Xenical (orlistat) | $845 per 90, 120MG capsule | Xenical coupons |
| Bontril PDM (phendimetrazine tartrate) | $35 for 90, 35MG tablet | Bontril PDM coupons |
| Tenuate Dospan (diethylpropion ER) | $69 per 100, 75MG tablet extended-release | Tenuate Dospan coupons |
| Saxenda (liraglutide) | $1,755 for 5, 3ML of 18MG/3ML Solution Pen-injector | Saxenda coupons |
Prescription drug prices often change. These are the most accurate medication prices at the time of publishing.