Patient reviewers on RealSelf say semaglutide costs $694 per month, on average.
SingleCare, an online prescription discount site, reports that Wegovy costs $1,750 per month, on average, while Ozempic costs $1,205 for four 1 mg doses and $1,368 for four 0.5 mg doses, without insurance coverage.
Some doctors offer compounded semaglutide as part of weight-management programs, which typically include the drug itself, as well as monitoring, coaching, and lab work.
“In our office, the total all-in cost per month is around $600,” says Dr. Jonathan Kaplan, a board-certified plastic surgeon in San Francisco who prescribes semaglutide to patients as part of a comprehensive weight management program, which includes drug monitoring, coaching, and scale and lab work, along with the monthly cost of the semaglutide injections and shipping.
Board-certified plastic surgeon Dr. David Shafer offers a similarly comprehensive weight management program, which includes semaglutide, for $510 to $610 per month.
Dr. Giese says her customized elective weight loss program costs about $600 per month. Her plan features semaglutide compounded with vitamin B12.
For patients with Type 2 diabetes, some insurance companies (including Medicare) will cover Ozempic. Every plan is different, however, so you’ll need to consult your insurer for specifics. “Some insurance plans have great coverage with little out-of-pocket expense,” says Dr. Kaplan. “However, I've also seen some plans ‘cover it,’ but the patient still has a $900 copay.”
The manufacturer of Ozempic also offers savings of up to $150 per month, for up to 3 months, for "commercially insured patients with coverage."
Weight loss medications, including Wegovy, are covered by some insurance plans for qualified patients. Ask your insurer how to qualify.
If your plan includes coverage, keep in mind that “the medications usually require prior authorization, which means the provider has to seek special approval for insurance to cover the medication,” explains Dr. Bourgeois. “For instance, if a patient is seeking medication for weight loss, the provider may need to submit information proving the patient is clinically obese.”
The medication will also have to be in stock and available at the pharmacy, notes Dr. Giese—which can sometimes be a challenge, given that demand may exceed supply.
“Medicare doesn’t cover anti-obesity medications at this time,” notes Dr. Aliabadi.
