How Much Ozempic Costs Without Insurance — and 9 Ways to Save

If you have Type 2 diabetes, a healthcare professional may recommend that you take Ozempic (semaglutide) as part of your treatment plan. One common complication of Type 2 diabetes is chronic kidney disease (CKD), which affects up to 40% of people with the condition. High blood sugar over time can damage the kidneys, making it harder for them to function properly.

In January 2025, the FDA approved Ozempic to reduce the risk of kidney failure, kidney condition worsening, and death from cardiovascular events in adults with Type 2 diabetes and CKD. It is the first medication in its class approved for both kidney and heart protection in this high-risk group.

Insurance may cover Ozempic if you’re using it for diabetes or kidney health. But if you want to take Ozempic for weight loss, your insurance probably won’t pay for any of the costs. Still, there are ways to lower the costs and make treatment more affordable.

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How much does Ozempic cost per month without insurance?

Without insurance, the average retail price of Ozempic is $1,000 to $1,200 or more per month. This adds up to $12,000 or more a year. People who take Ozempic to regulate their blood glucose (sugar) levels usually take the medication indefinitely, so this is a significant long-term investment.

There isn’t a generic version of Ozempic. How much you will pay for the brand-name medication depends on many factors, such as your:

• Location

• Pharmacy

• Insurance coverage

• Reason for taking the medication

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Ozempic

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$25.00

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If you have insurance, the manufacturer of Ozempic, Novo Nordisk, has a cost navigator tool that you can use to figure out how much the medication will cost with your plan. You can also call a representative or complete an online form to review your benefits and get an out-of-pocket cost estimate.

How to get Ozempic cheaper (or even for free)

Here are nine ways you can save money, with insurance and without, when paying for Ozempic.

1. Explore health insurance options

Insurance plans typically cover Ozempic only for people who have Type 2 diabetes or other FDA-approved indications. To get coverage, you may need a prior authorization. This confirms that you have a qualifying condition and that Ozempic is medically necessary. If you’re denied coverage, you can appeal the decision.

If you don’t have an FDA-approved condition and want to take Ozempic for weight loss, it’s still worth looking into insurance coverage options. According to the Pharmaceutical Strategies Group’s 2024 Trends in Benefit Design Report, over 90% of health plans cover GLP-1 medications like Ozempic for Type 2 diabetes. But just over 30% cover these medications for chronic weight management. And employer-sponsored plans aren’t the only ones that cover the medications. So you may want to look into:

• Medicaid: Medicaid coverage varies by state. So contact your state Medicaid agency to find out about coverage for Ozempic. Keep in mind that a prior authorization may be required.

• Medicare: Medicare Part D covers certain antidiabetic medications. Ozempic is also among 15 medications selected for Part D price negotiations in 2025. Negotiated prices will go into effect in 2027. You can compare Part D plans on Medicare’s website to find out if coverage for Ozempic is available. “Anti-obesity medications” aren’t covered by Medicare.

• Tricare: Ozempic may be covered by Tricare when it’s prescribed to treat Type 2 diabetes. Getting coverage may require a prior authorization and medical necessity review.

2. Get Ozempic for $25 a month with a copay savings card

If you have private or commercial insurance, you may be able to pay as little as $25 for a 1-, 2-, or 3-month prescription by using an Ozempic copay savings card. After you sign up, this offer remains active for 48 months as long as you have commercial insurance that covers Ozempic.

EXPERT PICKS: WHAT TO READ NEXT

• Will your insurance cover weight-loss medications? Coverage for weight-loss medications varies by plan, but here’s what you should know about cost and coverage.

• Got Medicare? Medicare, by law, is prohibited from covering weight-loss medications unless you meet these requirements.

• Do you have Medicaid? Medicaid may cover some medications taken for weight loss depending on your state’s program.

The following maximum savings limits also apply:

• $100 per 1-month prescription

• $200 per 2-month prescription

• $300 per 3-month prescription

To apply for an Ozempic copay savings card, you can text “BEGIN” to 21848 on your smartphone or visit this website. If you have questions, call 1-877-304-6855. If you speak Spanish, call 1-877-304-6855.

3. Look into Medicare Extra Help

If you’re a Medicare recipient with limited income and resources, you may qualify for savings to help with the costs of Ozempic for Type 2 diabetes. The Medicare Part D Extra Help program provides assistance with prescription medication costs, such as deductibles and copays.

To apply for this program, you’ll need the following documents:

• Recent bank statements and tax returns

• Individual retirement account or 401(k) account statement if applicable

• Statements for pensions, annuities, Railroad Retirement Board benefits, or Veterans Affairs (VA) benefits

4. Apply for a patient assistance program

If you have Medicare or are uninsured, you may be able to get Ozempic for free through the Novo Nordisk Patient Assistance Program. Ozempic is one of many medications listed as a covered product under this program.

You must meet the following requirements to qualify for this patient assistance program:

• Having Medicare or being uninsured

• Being a U.S. citizen or a legal resident

• Having a total household income at or below 400% of the federal poverty level

• Not qualifying for or being enrolled in a federal, state, or other government program, such as Medicaid, VA benefits, or Extra Help

5. Download a free coupon

Prescription discount cards, like the ones through GoodRx, give people access to medication coupons that may lower costs. You can use these coupons whether or not you have insurance. For example, if your insurance copay is higher than the cost of the medication with a GoodRx coupon, it may be a good idea to use the coupon instead of your coverage.

To find out how much Ozempic costs with a GoodRx coupon, log on to www.goodrx.com or download the GoodRx app and search for the medication. Then set your location to see coupons you can use at local pharmacies. This lets you see which pharmacy offers the lowest price for the medication.

6. Ask about alternative medications

Another way to save money on medications is to ask your prescriber about generic options or similar medications that cost less. If you are looking for Ozempic alternatives for weight loss, you can ask about medications like Wegovy (semaglutide), Zepbound (tirzepatide), and Saxenda (liraglutide). For example, Zepbound offers a savings card that reduces the price of the medication to as low as $25 per prescription.

If you are looking for medications that are similar to Ozempic for Type 2 diabetes, you might consider the options in the chart below.

There aren’t generic options for Ozempic, Mounjaro, Rybelsus, or Trulicity. You’ll pay the average retail price or a lesser amount, depending on your insurance coverage and formulary.

7. Use funds from an HSA or FSA 

If you have a health savings account (HSA) or a flexible spending account (FSA), you can use the pretax dollars in your account to pay for prescription medications. Contact your HSA or FSA administrator to confirm that you can pay for Ozempic with your funds.

8. Ask a healthcare professional to write you a prescription for a 90-day supply

Some pharmacies offer discounts when you buy medications in bulk, such as a 90-day supply. A larger supply would also mean paying fewer insurance copays.

But before a healthcare professional sends the prescription to your pharmacy, verify that your insurance plan will cover a 90-day supply of the medication. Keep in mind, you may also be subject to certain prescription refill rules, depending on your location.

9. Talk to your prescriber about free Ozempic samples

Your prescriber may be able to order complimentary medication samples from Novo Nordisk. If you are eligible, they can submit one sample request per month through the Novo Nordisk sample portal. With a sample, you can test the medication to see if it’s effective before paying for it.

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Written by:

Mitzi S. Morris

Mitzi S. Morris is a freelancer who writes long-form content such as blogs, e-books, and white papers. She has a certificate in digital communication from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and a Bachelor of Arts in Communication from Hanover College.

Edited by:

Charlene Rhinehart, CPA

Charlene Rhinehart, CPA, is a personal finance editor at GoodRx. She has been a certified public accountant for over a decade.

Reviewed by:

Christina Aungst, PharmD

Christina Aungst, PharmD, is a pharmacy editor for GoodRx. She began writing for GoodRx Health in 2019, transitioning from freelance writer to editor in 2021.

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