Key takeaways:
Access to treatment is a great concern for those who treat people living with Type 2 diabetes.
Mounjaro (tirzepatide) is covered by many insurance plans, but plans change each year, and high deductibles and copays could make cost a barrier to treatment for many.
GoodRx coupons and manufacturer savings programs can help people save on Mounjaro prescriptions. You can also consider alternative treatment options that are more affordable.
Mounjaro (tirzepatide) has grown in popularity since it was FDA approved to treat Type 2 diabetes in 2022. But cost can be a huge concern: The medication can cost over $1,300 per month out of pocket.
The good news is that many insurance plans cover Mounjaro if it’s prescribed for Type 2 diabetes, and there may be other ways for your patients to save. Here’s what you need to know.
Cost of Mounjaro without insurance
As of January 2026, the manufacturer’s list price for Mounjaro is $1,112.16 per fill. The retail cost is higher than the list price due to pharmacy and wholesaler mark-ups. But most people don’t pay the full retail price, especially if their insurance plan covers it.
Without insurance, the average retail cost of Mounjaro is over $1,300 per month.
Insurance coverage
As of early 2026, the majority of commercial insurance plans covered Mounjaro with requirements for prior authorization or step therapy. But this continues to change each year.
Your patients can check their plan’s medication formulary to see if Mounjaro is covered. The formulary should also indicate whether step therapy or prior authorization is required.
With insurance, out-of-pocket costs for Mounjaro will depend on the type of coverage, formulary, deductible, and copay. Note that high-deductible plans are increasingly common.
Medicare typically covers Mounjaro for Type 2 diabetes treatment after step therapy and/or prior authorization.
For your patients: Check out these 7 tips for facilitating prior authorizations
How to save
If commercial insurance doesn’t cut it — or it’s not an option — there are still ways your patients can save money on Mounjaro. Here are a few options to consider.
1. Manufacturer savings programs
Mounjaro’s manufacturer copay savings card allows qualified individuals to pay as little as $25 for up to a 3-month prescription. They must have commercial insurance, but their plan doesn’t have to cover Mounjaro.
Eligibility requirements state the patient must:
Have a prescription for Mounjaro for an FDA-approved use
Be a resident of the U.S. or Puerto Rico
Be at least 18 years old
Not be enrolled in Medicare, Medicaid, or another government-funded healthcare program
If the plan covers Mounjaro
Here are the expected savings for those with insurance that covers Mounjaro.
Days supply | Maximum savings on Mounjaro |
|---|---|
1-month supply | $150 per prescription |
2-month supply | $300 per prescription |
3-month supply | $450 per prescription |
Savings with the card are capped at $1,950 per calendar year. The card may be used for up to 13 prescription fills per calendar year.
If the plan doesn’t cover Mounjaro
For those with commercial insurance plans that do not cover Mounjaro, the cost is different:
They may pay as low as $499 per month with the copay savings card.
The maximum savings amount is up to $647 for a 1-month prescription.
There’s a separate limit of $8,411 in savings per calendar year.
The card may be used for up to 13 prescription fills per calendar year.
Keep in mind the manufacturer reserves the right to change the card’s terms and conditions at any time.
People without insurance
Those without insurance may be able to purchase Mounjaro for as low as $499 per month through LillyDirect. A valid prescription is still required.
2. GoodRx coupon
GoodRx offers coupons for a wide range of medications, including Mounjaro, for people with and without insurance. Even those who have insurance may be able to get a better deal on the medication by using a GoodRx coupon.
Here are the steps for your patients to follow:
Download the GoodRx app or visit www.goodrx.com.
Type “Mounjaro” in the search field.
Select your location and the correct quantity and dose.
Choose to receive the coupon via email or text, or print it out.
Show the coupon at the pharmacy. If possible, it’s better for the pharmacy staff to have the coupon early on in the filling process in order to prevent delays at the pickup counter.
Tip: Consider sending the GoodRx coupon to your patient’s pharmacy when you send in the prescription. This can help your patients avoid delays when they pick up their prescription.
3. Alternative options
In some cases, Mounjaro remains out of reach. Here’s a quick overview of other injectable, non-insulin Type 2 diabetes medications:
Medication name | FDA-approved indications |
Ozempic (semaglutide) | • Type 2 diabetes for adults (pills and injection) • Cardiovascular risk reduction for adults with Type 2 diabetes and heart disease (pills and injection) • Chronic kidney disease for adults with Type 2 diabetes (injection only) |
Trulicity (dulaglutide) | • Type 2 diabetes for people ages 10 and older • Cardiovascular risk reduction for adults with Type 2 diabetes and heart disease (or risks factors for developing heart disease) |
Victoza (liraglutide) | • Type 2 diabetes for people ages 10 and older • Cardiovascular risk reduction for adults with Type 2 diabetes and heart disease |
Type 2 diabetes in adults |
Keep an eye on this landscape, though, because it’s continuously evolving. Expect approval of new incretin mimetics, expanded indications, and new routes of administration in the future.
4. Additional indications
Another option is to consider that Zepbound — which is the same active compound with a different indication — could be cheaper in some situations. Zepbound is approved for:
Weight loss in adults who meet certain criteria
Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) in people with obesity
The price of Zepbound may be as low as $25 with certain manufacturer savings cards for people with commercial insurance. And with the inclusion of Zepbound KwikPens in the Medicare GLP-1 Bridge program, it could be more accessible to people who qualify. But it’s important to understand the Zepbound indications, as it’s not approved to treat Type 2 diabetes.
The bottom line
Mounjaro (tirzepatide) is an effective medication for Type 2 diabetes, but accessing it may be a problem for some patients. Even with insurance, cost can be a barrier. Manufacturer savings programs and GoodRx coupons can help lower the cost of Mounjaro for many. This space is likely to continue to evolve quickly.
Why trust our experts?
References
Eli Lilly and Company. (n.d.). How much should I expect to pay for Mounjaro (tirzepatide)?
Eli Lilly and Company. (n.d.). Savings & support.
Eli Lilly and Company. (2026). How much should I expect to pay for Mounjaro (tirzepatide)?
Eli Lilly and Company. (2026). Zepbound- tirzepatide injection, solution [package insert].
Long, M., et al. (2026). Policy changes bring renewed focus on high-deductible health plans. KFF.
