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Drug Info

How to save on Wegovy for weight loss

This injectable medication is effective, but pricey. Luckily there are ways to save.
Rebecca Rovenstine writer headshot
By | Updated on Dec. 17, 2024 Medically reviewed by Karen Berger, Pharm.D.
measuring tape around utensils - save on wegovy

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 at least one weight-related health condition. While some commercial insurance providers may not cover Wegovy, plans like Medicare Advantage and Medicaid might.

  • Out-of-pocket costs can be reduced with coupons from SingleCare, a manufacturer savings card from Novo Nordisk, or by switching to a Medicare Advantage plan that provides coverage for Wegovy.

  • Cheaper alternatives to Wegovy include FDA-approved prescription medications like Adipex-P, Ozempic, Xenical, Bontril PDM, diethylpropion, and Saxenda.

In this article:

You’ve been tracking your calories and exercising regularly, but those stubborn pounds just won’t budge. Weight loss isn’t easy, and when your efforts don’t produce results, it can be easy to want to throw in the towel. If you are obese (a body mass index (BMI) of 30 or higher) or overweight (a BMI of 27–29) with one or more weight-related health conditions, Wegovy (active ingredient semaglutide) may be an option.

With its powerful appetite-suppressing effects, this FDA-approved weight-loss medication is a game changer for chronic weight management. If your healthcare provider prescribes Wegovy for weight loss, you may be wondering how to save money on the pricey Rx. Keep reading for tips to maximize your results without breaking the bank.

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. Given as a weekly injection, Wegovy aids weight loss by enhancing insulin release and slowing gastric emptying, she explains. It also reduces carbohydrate breakdown and inhibits glucagon production, lowering glucose levels.

Administered as a weekly injection, Wegovy is FDA approved for individuals with obesity or overweight individuals with at least one weight-related health condition like hypertension (high blood pressure), diabetes, or high cholesterol. According to Brian Clark, a registered nurse and founder of United Medical Education, common mild side effects include bloating, diarrhea, and headaches. He says severe risks, though rare, can involve gallstones, allergic reactions, increased 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 your Wegovy prescription, you’ll typically pay $1,840 for four 0.75ML of 2.4MG/0.75ML solution injector pens—which is a 28-day supply of Wegovy.

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. In fact, there are no eligibility requirements to use SingleCare’s savings program—it works whether or not you have health insurance. Just keep in mind that you can’t use both together, so compare prices using your insurance versus SingleCare first.

If you sign up for SingleCare, you can get Wegovy at Walgreens for a discounted price of around $1,194. While that price is still higher than most medications, compared to the cash price of $1,840, this is a significant amount of monthly savings of around $646.

Get your Wegovy SingleCare coupon here by selecting 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, if you have commercial insurance, you can 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 per month, and if you do not have insurance, you can collect a maximum savings of $500 per month. 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 doesn’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, including the following:

Prescription Average retail price without insurance SingleCare coupons
Adipex-P (phentermine) $107 for 30, 37.5MG tablet Adipex-P coupons
Ozempic (semaglutide) $1,336 per 1, 3ML of 4MG/3ML solution pen-injector Ozempic coupons
Mounjaro (tirzepatide) $1,463 per 4, 0.5ML of 5MG/0.5ML Pen-injector Mounjaro coupons
Xenical (orlistat) $910 per 90, 120MG capsule Xenical coupons
Bontril PDM (phendimetrazine tartrate) $61 for 90, 35MG tablet Phendimetrazine tartrate coupons
Tenuate Dospan (diethylpropion ER) $88 per 30, 75MG tablet extended-release Diethylpropion coupons
Saxenda (liraglutide) $1,802 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.