If you’re looking at treatment options for type 2 diabetes, you may want to learn more about Ozempic (semaglutide). It’s a prescription drug used in adults with type 2 diabetes to:

Ozempic comes as a liquid solution in a prefilled pen for injection under your skin.

The active ingredient in Ozempic is semaglutide. (An active ingredient is what makes a drug work.)

Keep reading for details on Ozempic, cost, and how to save money on prescriptions.

Note: For more details on Ozempic, see this in-depth article.

The price you pay for Ozempic can vary. It may depend on your treatment plan, your insurance coverage (if you have it), and the pharmacy you use.

You may also need to buy needles to use with your Ozempic pen.

To find out how much you’ll pay for Ozempic, talk with your doctor, pharmacist, or insurance provider.

The price you pay for Ozempic with insurance and without it can vary based on several factors.

For example, if you have insurance, your cost per month may depend on factors such as:

  • your days’ supply of medication (30 days versus 90 days)
  • which pharmacy you use
  • your treatment plan
  • any savings card you use
  • your insurance plan’s coverage level for Ozempic

The Ozempic price with no insurance can also vary based on:

  • your days’ supply of medication (30 days versus 90 days)
  • which pharmacy you use
  • your treatment plan
  • any coupon or savings card you use
  • where you live

If you have any questions about the cost of Ozempic with or without insurance talk with your pharmacist or insurance provider.

For more information about financial assistance for this and other medications, see the “Can I get help paying for Ozempic?” section below.

Yes, Ozempic has a copay card. Ozempic’s manufacturer offers an Ozempic savings card and a diabetes savings card to help lower your out-of-pocket cost for the drug. You can use both of these cards in combination with insurance that you get through an employer or pay for yourself. You cannot combine them with government-issued insurance, such as Medicaid or Medicare.

When combined with your insurance coverage, the Ozempic savings card or the diabetes savings card may bring your Ozempic cost down to as low as $25 per month for up to 24 months. But keep in mind that these savings cards only work if your insurance covers Ozempic.

If you have questions about paying for Ozempic without insurance, see the “Can I get help paying for Ozempic?” section below.

For more information on financial assistance to pay for Ozempic if you have Medicare, see “Does the manufacturer of Ozempic have a coupon for people who have Medicare?” in the FAQs section below.

Below are answers to some frequently asked questions about Ozempic and cost.

How much does Ozempic for weight loss cost?

Ozempic is not FDA-approved to use for weight loss. Because of this, there’s no Ozempic pricing specifically for this use.

Some people may use Ozempic off label for weight loss. (Off label is when a drug is used to treat a condition other than those it’s approved for.)

If your doctor prescribes Ozempic for weight loss, your pricing may vary based on several factors, including your dosage and insurance coverage.

Some insurance plans may not cover Ozempic if it’s used off-label. Or they may require your doctor to contact them for prior approval before they pay for the medication.

Talk with your pharmacist or insurance provider if you have questions about the price of Ozempic when used for weight loss.

Does the manufacturer of Ozempic have a coupon for people who have Medicare?

Ozempic’s manufacturer does not have a coupon for people with Medicare. But they do offer the Novo Nordisk Patient Assistance Program (PAP) for people with Medicare or no insurance.

The Novo Nordisk PAP covers 100% of the cost of certain drugs, including Ozempic, for individuals who qualify. To see if you’re eligible for this program, visit the Novo Nordisk website.

For more information about how to save on the cost of Ozempic, see the “Can I get help paying for Ozempic?” section below.

Ozempic only comes as a brand-name drug. It’s not currently available as a generic. A generic medication contains an exact copy of the active drug in a brand-name medication but tends to cost less.

Why is there such a difference in the cost of brand-name drugs vs. generic drugs?

Years of research and testing are needed to ensure that brand-name drugs are safe and effective. This testing can make the drugs expensive. The manufacturer of a brand-name drug can sell the drug for up to 20 years. After that, other drug makers can create generic versions. This competition in the market can lead to lower costs for generics. And because generics have the same ingredients as brand-name drugs, they don’t need to be studied again. This can also lead to lower generic costs.

If you take Ozempic long term, you may be able to lower your costs in the following ways:

  • Look into getting a 90-day supply of your medication. You may be able to get a 90-day supply of Ozempic if approved by your insurance company. This could reduce your number of trips to the pharmacy and help lower the cost of Ozempic. If you’re interested in getting a 90-day supply of this drug, talk with your doctor, pharmacist, or insurance provider.
  • Use a mail-order pharmacy to get your medication. Using a mail-order pharmacy might help lower your cost for Ozempic. Plus, you could get your medication without leaving home. Some Medicare plans may help cover the cost of mail-order drugs. You may also be able to get a 90-day supply of the drug through mail order. If you don’t have health insurance, talk with your doctor or pharmacist. They may be able to suggest online pharmacy options that could work for you.

If you need help covering the cost of Ozempic or understanding your insurance, check out these websites:

On these sites, you can find insurance information, details on drug assistance programs, and links to savings cards and other services.

If you have questions about how to pay for your prescription, talk with your doctor or pharmacist. You may also be eligible for a savings card that can help lower the cost of Ozempic. See this website or call 877-304-6855 for more information.

If you still have questions about the cost of Ozempic, talk with your doctor or pharmacist. They may be able to give you a better idea of what you’ll pay for this drug. But if you have health insurance, you’ll need to talk to your insurance provider to learn the actual cost you’d pay for Ozempic.

Examples of questions you may want to ask your doctor or insurance provider include:

  • Could I get a sample pack of Ozempic if I’m waiting for insurance approval of the drug?
  • Will my Ozempic starting dosage cost less than my regular dosage?
  • Does my Ozempic savings card have an expiration date?
  • Will my insurance pay for my Ozempic pen needles?

For advice about managing your condition and news on treatments, consider signing up for Healthline’s type 2 diabetes newsletter. And if you’re looking to meet with a supportive online community of people living with type 2 diabetes, join Bezzy T2D.

Disclaimer: Healthline has made every effort to make certain that all information is factually correct, comprehensive, and up to date. However, this article should not be used as a substitute for the knowledge and expertise of a licensed healthcare professional. You should always consult your doctor or another healthcare professional before taking any medication. The drug information contained herein is subject to change and is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, warnings, drug interactions, allergic reactions, or adverse effects. The absence of warnings or other information for a given drug does not indicate that the drug or drug combination is safe, effective, or appropriate for all patients or all specific uses.