Ozempic, Rybelsus

Introduction

Written by Alex Brewer, PharmD, MBA
Medically reviewed by Bryson Russell PharmD, MHSA, MSc
Updated on November 17, 2023

Ozempic is a brand-name medication that’s prescribed to adults with type 2 diabetes. Ozempic is not available in a generic version. The cost of Ozempic with or without insurance can depend on several factors. It might be lowered by using a coupon.

Specifically, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved Ozempic to:

• help manage blood sugar levels in adults with type 2 diabetes
• lower certain risks in adults with type 2 diabetes who also have heart disease

Read on to learn about Ozempic and cost. You’ll also find available coupons and suggestions for ways to save on your prescription. If you’d like more information about Ozempic, including its uses, refer to this overview article or talk with your doctor or pharmacist.

Cost of Ozempic

Like other medications, the cost of Ozempic can vary. Certain factors may affect its price, such as:

• your insurance plan, if you have coverage
• the pharmacy you use

To find out how much Ozempic costs, ask your doctor, pharmacist, or insurance provider. They may be able to suggest ways to save money on your prescription, including those described in this article. To find out what you’d pay using savings coupons, read the following section.

Coupons for Ozempic

Prescription drug coupons can help you save money by lowering the cost of Ozempic. The Optum Perks coupons above can provide significant savings on your prescription costs.

Note: Optum Perks coupons cannot be used with any insurance copays or benefits.

Available app for coupons

To make finding and using these coupons easier, you can download the Optum Perks app. To learn more about this prescription discount app, see this article.

Insurance and other considerations for Ozempic

Here’s a list of things to consider about the cost of prescription drugs:

• Prior authorization. If you have prescription drug insurance, your insurance company may require prior authorization before it covers the cost of Ozempic. In this case, your doctor will communicate with your insurance company regarding your prescription for Ozempic. The insurance company will decide whether to cover the medication. If a drug requires prior authorization and you begin using it without this, you may have to pay the full price of the drug.
• A 3-month supply. If you’re using Ozempic long term, your doctor may suggest a 90-day supply of the medication. This will have to be approved by your insurance company. Getting a 90-day supply could help lower the drug’s cost. It could also save you time having to make trips to your pharmacy.

If you have questions about any of these considerations, ask your doctor or pharmacist. Or contact your insurance company and talk with a representative.

If you don’t have a health insurance plan, let your doctor or pharmacist know. They may suggest online pharmacy options you could use. You can also ask them about ways to obtain health insurance coverage.

Brand-names vs. generics

Ozempic is a brand-name medication. It’s not available in a generic version.

A generic medication is an identical copy of the active drug in a brand-name medication. (An active drug is the ingredient that makes a medication work.) 

Generics usually cost less than brand-name drugs. And they’re thought to be as safe and effective as the brand-name version.

Common questions about Ozempic and cost

Here are some common questions about Ozempic and their answers.

How much does Ozempic cost without insurance?

It depends. Generally, you’ll pay more for a prescription drug without insurance than you would with insurance.

In addition to your insurance coverage, the price you pay for Ozempic can also vary depending on the pharmacy you use. You can call your pharmacy and ask for their cash price for Ozempic if you don’t have insurance or if your insurance plan doesn’t cover Ozempic.

Check out the “Coupons” section to learn more about possible ways to save on Ozempic, including saving on the cost without insurance. You can also talk with your pharmacist or doctor to learn more.

Why are costs different for brand-name drugs vs. generic drugs?

Brand-name drugs can be expensive because of the studies needed to test how safe and effective they are.

Makers of a brand-name drug can sell their drug for up to 20 years. When the patent for a brand-name drug expires, other drugmakers can make and sell generic versions. A generic medication is an identical copy of the active drug in a brand-name medication. (An active drug is the ingredient that makes a medication work.)

This competition may help keep costs of generic medications lower. Also, generic medications contain the same active drugs as brand-name medications. So they don’t require the same testing, which can be costly.

If you’d like to know more about the cost differences between brand-name and generic drugs, talk with your doctor or pharmacist.

What to ask about Ozempic

This article provides cost information related to Ozempic. It also offers suggestions for ways to save money on your prescription. Above this page, you’ll find coupons for Ozempic.

If you have more questions about paying for this medication, ask your doctor or pharmacist. You can also contact your insurance company.

Here’s a list of questions you may want to ask regarding the cost of your medication:

• If I am unable to afford my Ozempic prescription, what are my options?
• Does my Ozempic dosage affect the cost of my prescription?
• How does the cost of Ozempic compare with other treatments for type 2 diabetes?
• If I am unable to afford Ozempic, would Rybelsus be a suitable option for me?

Resources

• Food and Drug Administration. (2023). Orange Book: Approved drug products with therapeutic equivalence evaluations. https://www.accessdata.fda.gov/scripts/cder/ob/index.cfm
• Ozempic (semaglutide) injection, for subcutaneous use. (2023). https://www.accessdata.fda.gov/drugsatfda_docs/label/2023/209637s020s021lbl.pdf

Disclaimer: Optum Perks has made every effort to make certain that all information is factually correct, comprehensive, and up to date. However, this article should not be used as a substitute for the knowledge and expertise of a licensed healthcare professional. You should always consult your doctor or another healthcare professional before taking any medication. The drug information contained herein is subject to change and is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, warnings, drug interactions, allergic reactions, or adverse effects. The absence of warnings or other information for a given drug does not indicate that the drug or drug combination is safe, effective, or appropriate for all patients or all specific uses.