How Much Does Semaglutide Cost?

How Much Does Semaglutide Cost?

Table of Contents

---

I. Semaglutide Cost Without Insurance

II. Semaglutide Cost With Insurance

III. How To Reduce Semaglutide Costs

IV. Compounded Semaglutide

V. Patient Assistance Programs

VI. Conclusion

---

In recent years, semaglutide has become a widely used tool to manage various health conditions. Developed by Novo Nordisk, semaglutide is FDA-approved in three formulations to treat a variety of conditions:

• Ozempic is prescribed to enhance blood sugar control and lower the risk of cardiovascular events in adults living with type 2 diabetes. ¹

• Wegovy is utilized to facilitate weight loss in patients struggling with obesity or being overweight, particularly those with weight-related complications like high blood pressure, type 2 diabetes, or dyslipidemia. ²

• Rybelsus is recommended for enhancing blood sugar management in adults diagnosed with type 2 diabetes. ³

Beyond their FDA-approved uses, semaglutides are increasingly prescribed off-label to aid with weight loss as well.

However, despite their effectiveness, the high cost of semaglutides can make them inaccessible for many patients. In this article, we will break down the costs of semaglutide with and without insurance, explain what compounded semaglutide is, and share tips for reducing expenses. 

Semaglutide Cost Without Insurance

The price tag for brand-name semaglutides is staggering. A one-month supply of Ozempic costs $935.77, according to the manufacturer Novo Nordisk, regardless of the dosage. ⁴ This presents a major financial barrier for many patients who could benefit from using semaglutide to manage type 2 diabetes or lose weight.

Other brand-name semaglutides come with an equally hefty price tag, if not more. Below is a comparison of the out-of-pocket costs for various brand-name semaglutides versus compounded semaglutide from ScriptsMD:

Semaglutide Cost (Out-of-Pocket) - One Month Supply
	Cost (USD)	Location
Rybelsus 14 mg	$756.01	Rite Aid Pharmacy 05423
Ozempic 2 mg	$756.25	Rite Aid Pharmacy 05423
Wegovy 2.4 mg	$1,619.37	Rite Aid Pharmacy 05423
Compounded Semaglutide 2 mg	$289	ScriptsMD

As shown in the table above, brand-name semaglutides pose a major financial burden for those who rely on it for type 2 diabetes or wish to use it for weight loss. Compounded semaglutide from ScriptsMD offer an affordable and more sustainable solution with the potential to save hundreds per month and thousands per year in out-of-pocket costs.

Semaglutide Cost With Insurance

Taking semaglutide, such as Ozempic, for weight loss is considered an off-label use and is not covered under Medicare Part D. However, if Ozempic is prescribed specifically to manage type 2 diabetes, it will be covered under Medicare Part D. ⁵

Those who qualify for Ozempic to control diabetes can pay significantly less for the medication. Instead of paying $756.25 out-of-pocket for a one-month supply of Ozempic 2 mg, the cost would be $11 per month for those with Medicare Part D plans like Wellcare Medicare Rx Value Plus (Plan ID: S4802-235-0).

For people taking Ozempic off-label solely for weight loss, insurance will not provide any coverage. ⁵ The full retail cost would need to be paid out-of-pocket, which can amount to hundreds of dollars per month.

How To Reduce Semaglutide Costs

For many patients, the financial burden of semaglutide can be overwhelming. Novo Nordisk reports that a single month's supply of Ozempic comes with a hefty price tag of $935.77. ⁴ At a typical U.S. retail pharmacy like Rite Aid, the price is lowered to $756 per month, but that still amounts to thousands of dollars over the course of treatment. For those using semaglutide specifically for weight loss, insurance typically does not cover any of the costs, leaving individuals to pay the full retail price out of pocket.

The good news is that there are ways to reduce the cost of semaglutide medications. In this section, we will discuss strategies to save money on semaglutides.

Compounded Semaglutide

Compared to brand-name equivalents such as Ozempic and Wegovy, compounded semaglutide is considerably less expensive. ⁶ The reason for this is that you are not paying for the medication's marketing and branding, which can increase the cost of brand-name medications. ⁷ Instead, the compounded semaglutide is sent directly from a specialized compounding pharmacy to the patient, which helps minimize the cost.

Compounding is the process of creating a medication that is tailored to the needs of an individual patient. ⁷ For example, compounded drugs may be needed for:

• Patients who require a medication in liquid form when the FDA-approved drug comes in a pill.
• Patients who are allergic to a certain dye and need a medication made without it.
• A patient who requires an FDA-approved medication that is currently in shortage. ⁷

Compounded semaglutide meets stringent quality standards. All licensed compounding pharmacies comply with federal and state regulations and are overseen by pharmacy state boards. ⁷

If you are looking to save money on your semaglutide costs, ScriptsMD offers compounded semaglutide at a fraction of the cost of brand-name alternatives. Purchasing semaglutide 2 mg through ScriptsMD only costs $289 compared to $756 for 2 mg of Ozempic from a U.S. retail pharmacy. This means you can save over $400 per month on your semaglutide costs. 

Patient Assistance Programs

Novo Nordisk, the manufacturer of semaglutides like Ozempic, Rybelsus, and Wegovy, has a Patient Assistance Program that provides certain semaglutides free of charge to eligible patients. ⁸ Currently, the program covers the following semaglutides:

• Ozempic (0.5 mg, 1 mg, 2 mg)
• Rybelsus (3 mg, 7 mg, 14 mg) ⁹

To qualify for this assistance, individuals must meet specific eligibility criteria. Some of these criteria are:

• You must be a U.S. citizen or legal resident.
• Have a total household income that is at or below 400% of the federal poverty line.
• Have Medicare or no insurance.
• Must not be enrolled in or qualify for any other federal, state, or government program such as Medicaid, Low Income Subsidy, or Veterans Affairs Benefits. ⁸

If all eligibility requirements are met, patients can receive Ozempic or Rybelsus at no cost for up to one year. It's important to note that reapplication is necessary each year, and continued eligibility must be maintained for ongoing assistance. ⁸

Conclusion

Semaglutides are an exciting new class of medications that show promise for treating type 2 diabetes and promoting weight loss. However, with monthly costs exceeding $700, brand-name semaglutides are out of reach financially for many patients.

Fortunately, there are ways to reduce out-of-pocket costs. One option is to opt for compounded semaglutide, which offers the same therapeutic benefits at a significantly lower cost. This alternative can help make semaglutide treatment more accessible and affordable for individuals looking to manage their diabetes and achieve weight loss goals.