If you’re looking at treatment options for weight management, you may be interested to learn more about Wegovy (semaglutide) and its cost factors.

Wegovy is a prescription drug used for weight loss and long-term weight management in adults. It’s used together with lifestyle changes that include a low calorie diet and exercise.

It’s prescribed to help manage weight in adults with a body mass index (BMI) of:

  • 30 or higher (obesity), or
  • 27 or higher (overweight) with a weight-related health condition

Wegovy comes as a liquid solution inside a prefilled single-dose pen. You’ll use the pen to give yourself a subcutaneous injection (an injection under your skin). You’ll usually do this once per week.

Keep reading for details on Wegovy’s cost, and how to save money on the price of prescriptions.

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

The price you pay for Wegovy can vary. Your cost may depend on your treatment plan, your insurance coverage (if you have it), and the pharmacy you use. To find out how much you’ll pay for Wegovy, talk with your doctor, pharmacist, or insurance provider.

The cost of Wegovy, both with and without insurance, can vary depending on several factors.

For example, your price with insurance coverage depends on your particular plan’s:

  • copay (a set amount you pay for each prescription based on the tier the drug is in)
  • coinsurance (a percentage you pay for drugs and services after you’ve reached your deductible and until you’ve met your annual out-of-pocket maximum)

Each insurance company determines pricing for brand and generic drugs based on many factors, including the cost of the drug.

If you have insurance coverage, your price with insurance can also depend on the dosage and quantity of the drug prescribed for you.

If you’re paying out of pocket, the price of Wegovy can depend on factors such as your dosage and the pharmacy you use. Different pharmacies may charge different prices for Wegovy.

If you don’t have insurance coverage, check with a few pharmacies to find the best price. You can also learn about cost savings on the manufacturer’s website.

For more information about saving money on prescriptions, see “Can I get help paying for Wegovy?” below.

Is Wegovy covered by insurance?

Maybe. How much of the drug’s cost is covered by insurance depends on your insurer and your plan. Not every insurance company covers this drug.

Some insurance companies may not cover certain types of medication, such as those for weight management. The best way to find out is to call a plan representative. They’ll be able to provide more information about your coverage and options.

You can also check the manufacturer’s website to see if your plan covers Wegovy. (The site does say that insurance coverage is not widely available.)

Cost when Wegovy is not covered by insurance may depend on:

  • where you get the prescription filled
  • your dosage
  • if you’re eligible for a Wegovy savings card (a savings program to lower the cost of the drug)

Your doctor, pharmacist, or insurance provider (if you have one) can give you more information about cost and coverage.

Below are answers to some common questions about Wegovy and cost.

Is a Wegovy coupon available for people without insurance coverage?

There isn’t a coupon, but the drug’s manufacturer has a savings card. This can save you money on your prescription if you meet certain eligibility requirements. It may be used if you have insurance or if you’re paying out of pocket for Wegovy.

You can also learn about more cost savings options in the “Can I get help paying for Wegovy?” section below.

Does Wegovy have a copay card?

No, but the manufacturer offers a savings card for those with or without insurance coverage. If you’re eligible for the cost savings card, it’ll help you save on the cost of the drug.

For more information on ways to save money on your prescription, see “Can I get help paying for Wegovy?” below.

If you use Wegovy long term, you may be able to lower your cost per month 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 Wegovy if approved by your insurance company. This could reduce your number of trips to the pharmacy and help lower the drug’s price per month. If you’re interested in getting a 90-day supply of this drug, talk with your doctor, pharmacist, or insurance provider. Keep in mind, if your insurance company doesn’t cover the cost of Wegovy, getting a 90-day supply may be more expensive.
  • Use a mail-order pharmacy to get your medication. Using a mail-order pharmacy might help lower your monthly cost of Wegovy. And you could get your medication without leaving home. 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. You can then check with different mail-order pharmacies to compare the monthly cost of Wegovy.

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

On these sites, you can find insurance information, details on drug cost 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. And be sure to check out the drug manufacturer’s website for information about the Wegovy savings card.

Wegovy is only available 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 manufacturers 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 still have questions about the cost of Wegovy, 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 with your insurance provider to learn the actual cost you’d pay for Wegovy.

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

  • Does the out-of-pocket cost of Wegovy depend on my dosage?
  • Are there other lower cost treatments for my condition?
  • Could lifestyle changes such as exercise and a low calorie diet help enough that I wouldn’t need to use Wegovy?

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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.