It’s still more expensive than the compounded versions — Hims & Hers, for example, sells semaglutide starting at $199 a month — but it’s getting closer. Semaglutide may be covered by insurance, but it depends on the reason for the prescription and your specific policy. Many insurance plans cover semaglutide when prescribed for type 2 diabetes (Ozempic) but are less likely to cover it for weight loss (Wegovy). Compounded semaglutide can be significantly less expensive than brand-name options, making it an attractive choice for patients paying out of pocket or with limited insurance coverage. For example, step 1 of The HCG Institute’s regimen is less than half the price of the brand-name option.
Is Semaglutide Covered by Insurance?
The following interactions have been selected on the basis of their potential significance and are not necessarily all-inclusive. Tell your doctor if you have ever had any unusual or allergic reaction to this medicine or any other medicines. Also tell your health care professional if you have any other types of allergies, such as to foods, dyes, preservatives, or animals.
For non-prescription products, read the label or package ingredients carefully. The only way you can make sure you receive a genuine GLP-1 medicine is to obtain it from a legitimate pharmacy – including those trading only, with a prescription issued by a healthcare professional. “In the UK, weight loss injections are not usually prescribed directly by GPs. Instead, they are offered through specialist tier 3 weight management services,” explains Jane Msumba, multi-award-winning pharmacist and founder of Inner Glow Clinic.
Medical Forms
Some insurance plans may not cover weight loss medications at all, considering them elective or cosmetic treatments (1). As mentioned, there are no generic versions of semaglutide, but several other GLP-1 medications and similar prescription medications can be much cheaper than the popular injectable medication. In your search for an alternative, you may come across compounded versions of semaglutide. Before considering compounded semaglutide, seek medical advice from your healthcare provider, who would be responsible for prescribing it. These specially designed medications could come with some risks, such as unwanted side effects. Compounded semaglutide should be used with caution as it is not approved by the FDA, and many versions do not meet the quality standards.
This is ideal for people unable to lose weight through lifestyle changes alone. High demand caused worldwide supply shortages of semaglutide in 2023;95 new UK prescriptions were not issued during the shortage. These may be symptoms of dehydration which can lead to serious kidney problem. Pancreatitis (swelling of the pancreas) may occur while you are using this medicine. Check with your doctor right away if you have sudden and severe stomach pain, chills, constipation, nausea, vomiting, fever, or lightheadedness.
- Exploring different purchasing options can help you find the best price for your needs.
- If you’re interested in trying semaglutide, talk with a healthcare professional about whether it would be a good fit for your needs.
- In this article, we’ll discuss the various strategies for obtaining semaglutide at a more manageable cost, empowering readers to make informed decisions about their health and finances.
For prescription items, NiceRx will schedule a consultation with a qualified healthcare provider. If approved, your prescription can be filled at one of our partner pharmacies. You can consult a telehealth provider online to get semaglutide without insurance.
Some patients even turn to over the counter semaglutide lookalikes — though these are not clinically approved and often lack regulated dosing. You do still need a prescription from your doctor to purchase the medications, but the discount is helpful because many insurance plans often do not cover the cost of the medications. The HCG Institute offers compounded semaglutide through telehealth services for patients without insurance. For patients who find brand-name semaglutide medications like Wegovy too expensive, compounded semaglutide may offer a more affordable alternative.
The cost is $499 for a 28-day supply and no insurance is required. If you don’t have any insurance coverage for Ozempic, you can pay $499 per month out-of-pocket through NovoCare Pharmacy. The Ozempic Savings Card program is not available to individuals without insurance average weight loss on compounded semaglutide coverage for Ozempic and those with government-sponsored insurance. Ozempic and Rybelsus are FDA-approved for lowering blood sugar levels in adults with type 2 diabetes. I’ve heard of weight loss clinics getting it much cheaper for their patients…
In a 2022 study, patients taking semaglutide for weight management lost 5.9% total body weight after three months, and 10.9% after six. So anyone taking Ozempic should expect that they’ll need to pay for it longer than just one or two months. Manufacturers have brought the costs of the brand-name drugs down, in part, to fend off the compounders. Eli Lilly offers self-pay options for Zepbound for as low as $349 for the smaller starter dose and $499 for the higher doses in vials, compared to only price options of over $1,000 a month when it was first released. Novo Nordisk has a $499 option for its drugs, a discount from the original roughly $1,000 price.
Semaglutide is a GLP-1 (glucagon-like peptide-1) receptor agonist that is available as the brand name drugs Wegovy, Ozempic, and Rybelsus. Wegovy is FDA-approved for chronic weight management in obese and overweight patients. Ozempic and Rybelsus are prescription drugs approved by the FDA for the management of blood sugar levels in adults with type 2 diabetes. Even if you meet these criteria, many insurance plans require prior authorization before covering semaglutide. This means a healthcare professional must submit documentation to the insurance company showing that the medication is medically necessary for you.