Cost guide · Updated 2026
How much does a GLP-1 actually cost in 2026?
Real monthly pricing across every common scenario — brand-name with insurance, brand-name without insurance, compounded cash-pay, and off-label diabetes prescriptions. No asterisks, no teaser pricing.
Wegovy with commercial insurance + PA approved
Commercial PPO with weight-loss benefit
Most large-group BCBS, UHC, Aetna, and Cigna plans place Wegovy on a specialty tier after PA. Manufacturer savings card can bring copay to $0 for eligible patients.
Commercial PPO with weight-loss benefit$25 – $100
Wegovy with insurance — PA denied
Commercial plan, PA denied
Cash price at retail pharmacy. Manufacturer NovoCare cash-pay program drops it to ~$499/month for some self-pay patients.
Commercial plan, PA denied$1,349
Zepbound with commercial insurance
Commercial PPO with weight-loss benefit
Covered on most large-group commercial plans with PA. Lilly's savings card brings eligible patients to $25/month.
Commercial PPO with weight-loss benefit$25 – $200
Zepbound cash pay via LillyDirect
None
Lilly's direct-to-patient vial program launched in 2024. Self-administered with syringe (not auto-injector).
None$349 – $499
Compounded semaglutide
Cash pay only
Includes clinician visit and shipping at most major programs. Medvi and Hims are typically at the low end.
Cash pay only$149 – $299
Compounded tirzepatide
Cash pay only
Higher than compounded semaglutide due to API cost. Strongest weight-loss potency in the cash-pay tier.
Cash pay only$249 – $449
Ozempic off-label for weight loss
Commercial, no diabetes diagnosis
Insurance rarely covers Ozempic without a T2D diagnosis. Off-label use means cash pay unless you have diabetes.
Commercial, no diabetes diagnosis$968
Mounjaro for type 2 diabetes
Commercial with T2D diagnosis
Covered on most commercial plans for T2D. Lilly savings card available for eligible commercially-insured patients.
Commercial with T2D diagnosis$25 – $200
Saving tactics
- Manufacturer savings cards. NovoCare (Wegovy) and Lilly Cares (Zepbound) cut commercial copays to $25 for eligible patients with coverage.
- Self-pay manufacturer programs. Wegovy's NovoCare self-pay drops cash price to $499; LillyDirect single-dose vials of Zepbound start at $349.
- Compounded as bridge. If your PA is pending or denied on appeal, a cash-pay compounded program can keep you on therapy at ~$200/month.
- Off-label diabetes channel. If you have prediabetes or T2D, your insurer is far more likely to cover Ozempic or Mounjaro than the weight-loss-labeled versions.
Which insurers cover Wegovy & Zepbound?
Coverage matrix for BCBS, UHC, Aetna, Cigna, Kaiser, Medicare, and Medicaid — plus prior-auth checklists.
See coverage matrix
Cheapest GLP-1 programs ranked
The lowest-priced legitimate GLP-1 programs in 2026, starting under $150/month all-in.
See ranking
FAQ
GLP-1 cost questions
- Compounded semaglutide via a cash-pay telehealth program is the cheapest legitimate GLP-1 in 2026, starting around $149/month all-in (medication + clinician + shipping). Medvi and Hims are typically at the low end.
Related guides & comparisons
Decide which medication, insurer pathway, or program matches your situation.
Insurance
GLP-1 coverage by insurer
BCBS, UHC, Aetna, Cigna, Kaiser & Medicare in 2026.
Open
Condition
GLP-1 for type 2 diabetes
When insurers cover Ozempic and Mounjaro vs. weight-loss labels.
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Condition
GLP-1 for sleep apnea
Zepbound's 2024 OSA indication and what it unlocks for coverage.
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Head-to-head
Hims vs Medvi
Cheapest compounded semaglutide programs compared.
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Head-to-head
Ro vs Hims
Insurance-first brand-name vs flat-price compounded.
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By state
GLP-1 in California
Local prescribing rules and licensed programs.
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