Key takeaways
- The monthly cost of Ozempic can vary significantly depending on factors like insurance coverage and available discounts.
- Your health insurance plan may cover Ozempic if prescribed for type 2 diabetes or related heart or kidney complications, but coverage can depend on your plan’s specifics and may require prior authorization.
- Without insurance, Ozempic can be very expensive, but various financial assistance programs, manufacturer coupons, and prescription discount cards are available to help reduce the cost.
Overview
Ozempic (semaglutide) is a brand-name glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) drug. It’s taken as a once-per-week injection to help lower blood sugar in people with type 2 diabetes. It is also approved to lower the risk of kidney and heart complications in people with both type 2 diabetes and chronic kidney disease or established heart disease.
Doctors primarily prescribe Ozempic as a treatment option for type 2 diabetes in combination with diet and exercise. But it may also help with weight management.
Ozempic is not available over the counter and requires a prescription. To find out more about the monthly cost of Ozempic, talk with your doctor, pharmacist, or insurance provider. They may suggest ways to save money on your prescription, like online savings card programs and prescription discount cards.
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Factors that can affect the cost of Ozempic
Like other medications, the cost of Ozempic can vary. Several factors may affect its price, such as:
- your insurance plan, if you have coverage
- the pharmacy you use
- the dosage your doctor prescribes
- whether you’re able to get a 90-day supply
- whether you qualify for financial assistance or online savings programs
Prescription drugs may have a high cost for several reasons. According to the American Medical Association (AMA), pricing may be influenced by pharmaceutical companies, pharmacy benefit managers, and health insurance companies.
Ozempic is a brand-name drug. Brand-name drugs can be expensive due to the extensive research needed to test their safety and effectiveness. This process can take several years to complete. Typically, generics cost less than branded drugs. But Ozempic is currently not available in a generic version.
Whether you have insurance coverage for Ozempic will also be a key factor in determining the monthly price you pay for this medication.
How much is Ozempic with insurance?
If you have health insurance, your insurance provider may cover all or part of the cost of Ozempic. This depends on whether your doctor has prescribed the drug for type 2 diabetes or to reduce the risk of related heart or kidney complications, its FDA-approved uses. Your coverage will also depend on the details of your insurance plan.
While Ozempic can be used for weight management, this is considered an off-label use. While off-label prescribing is generally safe and effective, it’s less likely to be covered by your insurance plan.
Even if a doctor has prescribed Ozempic for an approved use, sometimes your insurance plan may not cover the drug. Some insurance plans require you to try other treatments first. They might also require prior authorization.
Although coverage is available, you might still have out-of-pocket costs, such as copays. The list of drugs an insurance plan covers is called a formulary. Ozempic is only available as a brand-name drug, so it may be on a higher tier of the formulary. Usually, your copay is higher for drugs that are on higher tiers.
To find out whether your insurance plan covers Ozempic and possibly see an estimated cost of what you will pay for it, Novo Nordisk, the manufacturer of Ozempic, has created a form to provide more personalized cost information.
How much is Ozempic without insurance?
Ozempic is manufactured by a company called Novo Nordisk. As of February 2026, it listed the out-of-pocket cost of Ozempic as $1027.51 for a 28-day supply of any strength of the medication. This is the cost without insurance coverage.
Your out-of-pocket cost for Ozempic may also be higher than the price listed on this page, depending on the pharmacy you use. To fully understand your estimated costs, talk with your prescribing doctor about the current price of Ozempic with or without insurance.
If you need help covering the cost of medications, the free Optum Perks Discount Card could help you save up to 80% on prescription drugs. Plus, you can now get them delivered to your home in as little as 3 days. Search for your medication here.
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Get free cardWhat financial assistance programs are available?
Different options may help reduce the cost of Ozempic. These may help make Ozempic more affordable, regardless of whether you have health insurance.
One option is a savings program offered by the manufacturer. Until March 31, 2026, Novo Nordisk is offering different savings depending on whether you have insurance:
- Commercially insured patients: Pay $25 for any dose of Ozempic for up to a 3-month prescription.
- New patients without insurance: Pay $199 for the first 2 months of Ozempic 0.25 milligrams (mg) or 0.5 mg. Pay $499 per month for Ozempic 2 mg.
- Existing patients without insurance: Pay $349 per month for Ozempic 0.25 mg, 0.5 mg, or 1 mg. Pay $499 per month for Ozempic 2 mg.
How can Optum Perks help?
Prescription discount cards help you save on prescription medications. While you cannot use them in combination with health insurance copays or benefits, you can compare both to find out which option will give you the most savings.
The free Optum Perks Discount Card could help you save on prescription drugs, such as Ozempic. You can search for a specific drug to find out how much you could save on your medication with an Optum Perks drug coupon.
Summary
The exact cost of Ozempic will depend on several factors, including your health insurance, what your insurance plan covers, and whether you use discount programs. These can include the Ozempic savings card or patient assist programs.
Prescription discount cards, such as the Optum Perks Discount Card, can help reduce the cost of Ozempic. Anyone can use discount cards, regardless of insurance status. You can also talk with your doctor or pharmacist to learn more about ways to save on the cost of Ozempic.
Download the free Optum Perks Discount Card to save up to 80% on many prescription medications. Plus, you can now get them delivered to your home in as little as 3 days. Search for your medication here.