Getting insurance coverage for weight loss drugs like Wegovy®, Ozempic® and other GLP-1s

Medically reviewed on May 30, 2023 by Morgan Spicer, Medical Communications Manager. To give you technically accurate, evidence-based information, content published on the Everlywell blog is reviewed by credentialed professionals with expertise in medical and bioscience fields.

Table of contents

• An overview of weight loss medications
• How much do weight loss drugs like Ozempic® cost?
• What to keep in mind when navigating health insurance coverage
• To recap
• Weight care management via Everlywell
• Related content

Healthcare can be expensive, especially without adequate insurance coverage. Insurance companies don’t always make it easy to navigate your plan or find out what’s covered. Even if something is covered, there can be fine print and other roadblocks that make the process even more difficult. Here’s an overview of what to look for in an insurance plan, how to navigate prior authorizations, and what fine print you may be looking over.

An overview of weight loss medications

What are weight loss drugs? Glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) medications are used to treat health conditions such as obesity and type 2 diabetes. [1,2] GLP-1 drugs have been shown to improve cardiovascular risks, reduce weight, and lower blood pressure and cholesterol. [1-4] GLP-1s work by mimicking hormones in the body that regulate blood sugar, digestion, appetite, and more. Two well-known GLP-1 medications include Wegovy® and Ozempic®. [3,4]

How much do weight loss drugs like Ozempic® cost?

The cost of weight loss medications can vary widely depending on your insurance plan or status. Without insurance, Ozempic® is estimated to cost around $900 a month and Wegovy® is estimated to cost around $1,350 a month. [5-6] If you do qualify for insurance coverage, the cost of GLP-1s can still vary widely from $0 to hundreds of dollars, although a general estimate for Ozempic® is about $25 for a monthly supply. [5-6] There are different payment assistance options for those that qualify that may bring the cost of these drugs down some more.

Does insurance cover GLP-1s?

Unfortunately, there isn’t a one size fits all answer to this question. Medicare insurance plans do not cover weight loss drugs, while some Medicaid plans do cover GLP-1s. Some insurance plans will cover a few specific kinds of GLP-1s but not all. [7] It’s important to check your plan specifically to read over what medications are covered. In some cases, you may need a prior authorization to get a certain drug covered by your insurance.

What’s a prior authorization (PA)?

A PA is approval from a health plan that may be required before you are able to get coverage for a specific service, treatment, or medication. [8] Your healthcare provider should be able to help you navigate PA requests.

What to keep in mind when navigating health insurance coverage

If you are hoping to get any weight loss medications covered by your insurance, there are some things you need to keep in mind. Knowing how to read through your plan and what questions to ask your insurance provider and healthcare provider may help simplify the process.

Pay attention to what drugs are covered

First, you should double check your plan’s policies. Not all medications will be covered by your insurance plan, so you should have a list of what is covered to share with your healthcare provider. This last may be available through your insurance provider’s website or portal, or you can call and request this information. Medications that are FDA-approved to help with chronic weight management (like Wegovy®) may be more likely to be covered by your insurance. [9] If you are looking into off-label medications like Ozempic®, you may need prior authorization before the medication will be covered. [10]

Many plans will also require that patients meet certain circumstances before they qualify for weight loss medications. For example, someone may need a certain BMI or a diagnosis for a related health condition before getting coverage. [11]

Read more about BMI and weight management →

What would your out-of-pocket costs be?

Determining any out-of-pocket costs can help you prepare a budget so you aren’t surprised when you go pick up your first prescription. Depending on your plan, you may have a certain deductible to reach, coinsurance to pay, copays for medications or visits to your healthcare provider, etc. [8] You can find all of this information about your plan online, in your physical insurance paperwork, or by calling your insurance provider. Once you know this information, you will have a better idea of how much a GLP-1 prescription may cost out-of-pocket.

(Feeling lost? Here’s a recap of healthcare basics and terminology)

Drug specific payment assistance programs

Something a lot of people don’t realize is that many drugs have specific payment assistance programs in place to lower the cost of their medication. [12] These may not be available to everyone, but some people do qualify if they fall below a certain income or are having an issue with their insurance coverage. Speak to your healthcare provider about any specific PAPS you may qualify for.

Be prepared for pushback

Getting coverage from your health insurance provider isn’t always easy. Even after you’ve jumped through hoops to get an appointment with a provider and you’ve compiled a list of medications you’re interested in, there may be roadblocks. Finding a flexible healthcare provider that can help you navigate this process is key.

What some people don’t realize is that insurance plans may require that certain milestones be hit before any refills are covered- meaning you may be required to lose a certain percentage of your pretreatment body weight if you want to keep your coverage. [11] It’s also possible that after losing enough weight, insurance providers may deem the treatment no longer necessary. [11] Fortunately, appeals can be made by your healthcare provider if you do face pushback, so be sure to keep them in the loop.

To recap

GLP-1 medications can be extremely useful for treating type 2 diabetes and obesity, and have been shown to improve cholesterol and cardiovascular health. [1-4] Without insurance coverage, these medications can cost upwards of $900 for a month's supply. It’s important to know what specific drugs your health insurance covers and what the stipulations are to qualify for first-time or recurrent use. There may be other out-of-pocket costs associated with your prescription and care visits, so it may be helpful to prepare a budget and be aware of these costs beforehand. If you have trouble getting a specific medication approved, your healthcare provider may be able to help you navigate prior authorization requests, patient assistance programs, and more.

Weight care management via Everlywell

We at Everlywell are determined to offer the best health and wellness solutions from at-home lab testing to virtual care visits. With Weight Care +, Everlywell’s clinical care team helps to identify the best medication for you based on your insurance coverage and health needs.
Weight Care+ is a weight management program to help you achieve your weight goals. The program offers support throughout the weight loss process with virtual care visits with a healthcare provider. Your healthcare provider will create an individualized plan for you to ensure you lose weight safely and effectively.

Related content

A guide to BMI and healthy weight management

What are the GLP-1 drugs?

How does GLP-1 work for weight loss?

References

1. Collins L, Costello RA. NCBI Bookshelf. Glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonists. URL. Accessed May 2023.
2. Diabetes care. American Diabetes Association. URL. Published January 1, 2022. Accessed May 2023.
3. Wegovy® Prescribing Information. Novo-pi.com. URL. Accessed May 2023.
4. Ozempic® Prescribing Information. Novo-pi.com. URL. Accessed May 2023.
5. Find out the cost for Ozempic®. Novocare.com. URL. Accessed May 2023.
6. What is the list price for Wegovy® and will it impact me? Novocare.com. URL. Accessed May 2023.
7. Cohen, J. Medicare Doesn’t Pay For Obesity Drugs: Lifting This Coverage Prohibition Faces Considerable Hurdles. March 2023. Forbes. URL. Accessed May 2023.
8. Glossary of Health Coverage and Medical Terms. Healthcare.gov. URL. Accessed May 2023.
9. FDA Approves New Drug Treatment for Chronic Weight Management, First Since 2014. FDA NEWS RELEASE. June 4 2021. URL.
10. Ozempic (semaglutide). Medical News Today. February 16 2023. URL.
11. Matthews, A, Loftus, P. How to Get Your Health Insurance to Cover Ozempic and Other Drugs Used for Weight Loss. The Wall Street Journal. May 15 2023.
12. Pharmaceutical Manufacturer Patient Assistance Program Information. CMS.gov. December 01 2021. URL.