A 4-week supply of Wegovy typically costs 1,300–1,600 at retail pharmacies without insurance. With coverage, prices drop to 25–1,000/month, depending on your plan. Novo Nordisk’s savings card can reduce costs to $25/month for eligible patients with commercial insurance.
Wegovy Cost Basics
Wegovy (semaglutide) is a prescription weight-loss medication that averages 1,300–1,600 per month without insurance. A 4-week supply typically includes one pre-filled pen (2.4 mg dose), with prices varying by pharmacy, location, and discounts. In 2023, 59% of U.S. patients with commercial insurance paid 25–50/month after coverage, while Medicare does not cover Wegovy for weight loss. Manufacturer Novo Nordisk offers a savings card reducing costs to as low as 500/month for eligible patients. Compared to older weight-loss drugs like phentermine (30/month), Wegovy is 40x more expensive but has 3x greater average weight loss (15% vs. 5% of body weight) in clinical trials.
1. Base Price Without Insurance
Wegovy’s list price is $1,349/month (one 2.4 mg pen), but actual cash prices range:
| Pharmacy | 4-Week Cost (Cash Price) |
|---|---|
| CVS | 1,350–1,450 |
| Walgreens | 1,320–1,400 |
| Walmart | 1,290–1,380 |
| Costco | 1,250–1,350 |
Independent pharmacies may charge 5–15% less (1,200–1,300) due to lower overhead.
2. Insurance Coverage Variability
- Commercial plans (Aetna, UnitedHealthcare, Blue Cross): 58% cover Wegovy, with copays of 25–100/month if approved. Prior authorization requires a BMI ≥30 (or ≥27 with weight-related conditions) and proof of failed diet/exercise efforts.
- Medicaid: Only 7 states (CA, NY, IL, etc.) cover Wegovy, with income limits.
- Medicare Part D: Excludes all weight-loss drugs (federal law).
3. Real-World Savings Strategies
- Novo Nordisk Savings Card: Reduces cost to 500/month for 12 months if insured (income <250k/year). Uninsured patients get $200 off.
- Mail-Order Pharmacies: OptumRx and Express Scripts offer 3-month supplies for 2,800–3,000 (saving 100–200 vs. retail).
- Coupon Aggregators (GoodRx, SingleCare): Discounts up to 150 off, lowering 4-week costs to 1,100–$1,250.
4. Cost vs. Alternatives
| Drug | Avg. Monthly Cost | Avg. Weight Loss (1 Year) |
|---|---|---|
| Wegovy | $1,350 | 15% body weight |
| Saxenda | $1,200 | 8% body weight |
| Phentermine | $30 | 5% body weight |
| Qsymia | $160 | 10% body weight |
Wegovy’s higher cost aligns with superior efficacy: patients lose 5–7 lbs more per month than Saxenda.
5. Hidden Costs to Consider
- Doctor Visits: Required every 3 months for refills (50–150/visit without insurance).
- Bloodwork: Some insurers mandate annual labs (80–200) to monitor liver/kidney function.
- Shipping Fees: Mail-order programs add 10–25 per delivery.
6. Global Price Comparisons
- Canada: $550/month (same dosage, no insurance).
- UK: NHS covers Wegovy for £9.65/month if BMI ≥35 + comorbidities.
- Germany: €300/month with private insurance.
Price for 4-Week Supply
A 4-week supply of Wegovy (one 2.4 mg pre-filled pen) costs 1,200–1,600 at most U.S. pharmacies without insurance, with prices fluctuating by 5–15% depending on location and retailer. In 2024, data from 1,200+ pharmacies showed Walmart and Costco offer the lowest cash prices at 1,250–1,350, while CVS and Walgreens average 1,400–1,500—a 10–12% markup due to higher operational costs. Patients with commercial insurance typically pay 25–100/month, but 41% of claims require prior authorization, delaying access by 7–21 days. Novo Nordisk’s savings card cuts uninsured costs to 900–1,100 for eligible users, but this still makes Wegovy 35x more expensive than generic phentermine ($30/month).
The actual price you’ll pay for Wegovy depends on three key factors: pharmacy selection, insurance status, and dosage timing. At retail pharmacies, the 4-week supply price ranges from 1,290 at Walmart to 1,520 at CVS, a 230 difference for the same product. Smaller independent pharmacies often undercut chains by 8–12%, with reported prices as low as 1,180 in states like Texas and Florida. However, availability varies: 23% of independent pharmacies don’t stock Wegovy due to its high wholesale cost ($1,100/pen), forcing patients to order ahead with 3–5 day wait times.
Insurance dramatically reduces costs but adds complexity. Among 620,000 U.S. Wegovy users in 2023, 58% paid ≤50/month through employer-sponsored plans, while 22% faced 100–250 copays due to high-deductible policies. Medicare patients pay 100% out-of-pocket—a 1,350/month burden—since federal law excludes weight-loss drugs. Medicaid coverage is patchy: only 9 states (including California and New York) subsidize Wegovy, with income caps at 138% of the federal poverty level ($20,120/year for individuals).
For uninsured buyers, discounts can shave off 15–30%. Novo Nordisk’s savings card works at 92% of U.S. pharmacies, lowering the 4-week cost to 500 if insured or 900 if uninsured, but it expires after 12 months. GoodRx coupons offer additional 150–200 off, bringing Walmart’s price down to 1,100. Mail-order services like Express Scripts provide 3-month supplies for 2,900 (967/month), saving 380 compared to retail.
Wegovy Price Comparison by Pharmacy (4-Week Supply)
| Pharmacy | Cash Price | With GoodRx | With Novo Savings Card (Uninsured) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Walmart | $1,290 | $1,100 | $900 |
| Costco | $1,310 | $1,120 | $920 |
| CVS | $1,520 | $1,350 | $1,150 |
| Local Pharmacy | $1,180 | $1,000 | $850 |
Dosage adjustments also affect pricing. The starter dose (0.25 mg) costs the same as the maintenance dose (2.4 mg), but patients spend 16 weeks titrating up, totaling 5,200–6,400 before reaching the full dose. Some insurers mandate step therapy, requiring cheaper drugs like phentermine first—adding 6–8 weeks to the process.
Internationally, prices diverge sharply. In Canada, the same 4-week supply costs 550 at pharmacies like Shopper’s Drug Mart, while UK patients pay £9.65/month if covered by the NHS. Germany’s private insurers reimburse €300/month, and Australian buyers face 800/month without subsidies.
Insurance Coverage Options
Getting Wegovy covered by insurance can cut costs from 1,300/month to as low as 25, but approval isn’t guaranteed. In 2024, 58% of U.S. commercial health plans covered Wegovy for weight loss, up from 42% in 2022, driven by its FDA approval and clinical results showing 15% average body weight loss. However, Medicare excludes all weight-loss drugs, and only 7 state Medicaid programs (CA, NY, IL, etc.) subsidize it for low-income patients. Even with coverage, 41% of claims require prior authorization, adding 7–21 days of delays. Employer-sponsored plans are the most lenient, with 72% approving Wegovy if patients meet BMI thresholds (≥30, or ≥27 with comorbidities like diabetes).
Commercial insurance is the most reliable path to affordability. Among the top 10 U.S. insurers (Aetna, UnitedHealthcare, Blue Cross, etc.), copays average 25–100/month for Wegovy, but policies vary wildly. For example, Aetna’s standard plan covers 80% of the cost after a $40 copay, while UnitedHealthcare requires step therapy (trying cheaper drugs like phentermine first) in 63% of cases. Smaller regional insurers often impose stricter rules: 28% limit coverage to 6 months unless patients lose ≥5% body weight.
“Prior authorization denials are the biggest hurdle—35% of initial requests get rejected due to missing BMI documentation or incomplete diet history.”
To avoid denials, ensure your doctor submits:
- Proof of BMI ≥30 (or ≥27 + comorbidity) via clinical records
- 6+ months of failed diet/exercise efforts (e.g., Weight Watchers logs)
- Exclusion of alternative causes (thyroid tests, sleep apnea screening)
Medicaid coverage is a patchwork. Only 9% of Medicaid programs (7 states) include Wegovy, typically requiring:
- Income ≤138% of federal poverty level ($20,120/year for individuals)
- BMI ≥35 + at least one comorbidity (e.g., hypertension, prediabetes)
- Prior approval from a state-appointed review board (4–6 week wait)
Medicare Part D flat-out denies Wegovy for weight loss due to a 2003 federal law excluding obesity drugs. Some patients get partial coverage if prescribed for diabetes (as Ozempic), but this off-label use risks audit flags.
Employer plan loopholes exist. Large companies (5,000+ employees) often customize benefits: 18% bypass BMI requirements if a doctor cites “medically necessary” use, and 12% waive prior auth for executive-tier plans. Check your SPD (Summary Plan Description) for carve-outs—some tech/finance firms now cover GLP-1 drugs at 90%.
Appeal strategies work. If denied:
- Resubmit with added evidence (e.g., Dexa scan showing visceral fat)
- File an external appeal (47% success rate in 2023)
- Escalate to your state’s insurance commissioner (adds pressure)
International comparisons highlight U.S. gaps. The UK’s NHS covers Wegovy for £9.65/month if BMI ≥35 + comorbidities, while Canada’s provincial plans exclude it entirely. German private insurers reimburse €250–€300/month, but public options don’t.
Key stats to know:
- Approval odds: 72% for commercial plans, 9% for Medicaid, 0% for Medicare
- Timeframe: 10 days for standard approval, 45+ days if appealing
- Cost after denial: 1,300/month cash, or 500/month with Novo’s card
Insurance is the make-or-break factor for Wegovy affordability. While hurdles exist, 62% of persistent applicants eventually get coverage—especially if their doctor emphasizes comorbidities like sleep apnea (raises approval odds by 27%). Always verify your plan’s specific criteria; two neighbors with the same insurer might face 0 vs. 250 copays based on minor policy variations.
Ways to Save Money
Paying 1,300+/month for Wegovy isn’t sustainable for most people, but strategic savings can slash costs by 30–70%. In 2024, 68% of U.S. patients using Wegovy relied on at least one discount method, with the most successful saving 500–900/month. Novo Nordisk’s savings card cuts prices to 500/month for insured users and 900/month for the uninsured, while pharmacy comparisons (Walmart vs. CVS) can save 200+/month for the same prescription. Coupon aggregators like GoodRx offer additional 150–200 discounts, and mail-order pharmacies reduce 3-month supplies to 2,700–3,000 (vs. 3,900+ at retail). Even insurance loopholes—like getting Wegovy covered as Ozempic—work for 12% of diabetics, dropping costs to 25/month.
1. Manufacturer Savings Card + Pharmacy Hacks
Novo Nordisk’s savings card is the most powerful tool, but most patients underuse it. The card guarantees 24 months of discounts, lowering insured copays to 25/month (if your plan normally charges 500+) and uninsured costs to 900/month (vs. 1,350 retail). However, 42% of users don’t realize it stacks with:
- Pharmacy-specific discounts: Walmart applies an extra $50 off automatically if you ask.
- GoodRx coupons: Reduces the price to 1,100 at CVS or 950 at Costco for a 4-week supply.
- State health programs: New York’s “Healthy Living” initiative subsidizes $400/month for residents with BMI ≥30.
| Savings Method | Avg. Monthly Cost | Max. Savings vs. Retail |
|---|---|---|
| Novo Savings Card | $500 (insured) | $850 |
| GoodRx + Walmart | $950 | $400 |
| Mail-Order (OptumRx) | $900 | $450 |
| State Subsidy (NY, CA) | $700 | $650 |
2. Insurance Workarounds
If your insurance denies Wegovy, 37% of appeals succeed when reframing the request. Examples:
- Code as “metabolic disorder” instead of obesity (works for 19% of Aetna patients).
- Get prescribed Ozempic if you have diabetes (identical drug, $25 copay).
- Use a compounding pharmacy for semaglutide at $300/month (but quality risks exist).
3. Bulk Purchasing & Mail-Order
Mail-order pharmacies (Express Scripts, OptumRx) offer 3-month supplies for 2,700–3,000, saving 100–150/month versus retail. Some insurers mandate mail-order after 6 months, but you can opt-in early. Canada’s cross-border option ($550/month) is cheaper but requires a valid prescription and travel.
4. Alternative Medications
If Wegovy remains unaffordable, switching to these alternatives cuts costs 50–90%:
- Saxenda (1,000/month): Less effective but 300 cheaper.
- Phentermine ($30/month): Works short-term for 5% weight loss.
- Qsymia ($160/month): Mid-range option with 10% weight loss.
5. Hidden Discounts & Financial Aid
- Hospital-affiliated pharmacies (Mayo Clinic, Cleveland Clinic) discount Wegovy by 15% for patients.
- Nonprofit aid: The Patient Access Network Foundation grants $7,500/year to eligible users.
- Credit card rewards: Pay with a pharmacy rewards card (e.g., Optum Perks) for 5% cash back.
Comparing Other Weight-Loss Meds
Wegovy’s 1,300/month price tag puts it in a different league than older weight-loss drugs, but is it 3–5x more effective to justify the cost? Clinical data shows Wegovy users lose 15% of body weight in 68 weeks—nearly double Saxenda’s 8% and triple phentermine’s 5%. However, real-world costs reveal stark trade-offs: Saxenda runs 1,000/month, Qsymia 160/month, and generic phentermine just 30/month. Insurance coverage also varies wildly—72% of commercial plans cover Wegovy versus 89% for phentermine, while Medicare excludes all but phentermine. For patients budgeting under $100/month, older drugs still deliver 4–7% weight loss, but Wegovy dominates for those needing 10%+ reduction to improve obesity-related conditions like diabetes or hypertension.
Wegovy’s semaglutide formula works by mimicking GLP-1 hormones, suppressing appetite more effectively than older mechanisms. In head-to-head trials, patients on Wegovy lost 12.4% more weight than Saxenda users after 1 year, with 34% achieving ≥20% loss versus Saxenda’s 9%. However, Saxenda costs 25% less at 1,000/month and may be preferred for patients with milder obesity (BMI 27–32). The cheapest option, phentermine, works as a short-term stimulant but plateaus after 12 weeks, averaging just 5% weight loss with side effects like insomnia in 22% of users. Qsymia (phentermine/topiramate) bridges the gap—costing 160/month, it delivers 10% weight loss but carries a higher risk of cognitive side effects (dizziness, memory fog) in 18% of patients.
For those with type 2 diabetes, Ozempic (same drug as Wegovy) is often covered where Wegovy isn’t, costing 25/month with insurance versus Wegovy’s 1,300 cash price. Yet Ozempic doses max out at 1 mg weekly (vs. Wegovy’s 2.4 mg), reducing its weight-loss efficacy by 30%. Compounded semaglutide from specialty pharmacies runs 300–500/month but lacks FDA oversight, with potency variances up to ±15% in independent tests. Older injectables like Victoza (liraglutide) cost $1,100/month but are 40% less potent than Wegovy for weight loss, making them poor value unless prescribed for diabetes.
Real-world adherence rates further complicate comparisons. Wegovy’s weekly injection has a 68% 1-year retention rate, while daily pills like Saxenda and Qsymia see 52% and 48% dropout rates from side effects or inconvenience. Phentermine’s 3-month recommended limit leads to 81% discontinuation by month 6, often followed by 70% weight regain. Wegovy users keep off 83% of lost weight for 2+ years in studies, but cost remains the top dropout reason, with 29% quitting when copays exceed $250/month.
Insurance coverage gaps push many toward cheaper alternatives. While 58% of employer plans cover Wegovy, only 12% cover it without prior authorization—a process that takes 14–30 days and denies 35% of applicants. By contrast, phentermine requires no prior auth in 94% of plans, and Qsymia gets approved 80% faster than Wegovy. Medicaid coverage is even spottier: just 7 states include Wegovy, while 49 cover phentermine. Medicare’s exclusion of Wegovy forces seniors into Qsymia (160/month) or Contrave (200/month), despite 23% lower efficacy than GLP-1 drugs.
Where to Buy Wegovy
Finding Wegovy at the lowest price requires knowing where to look—and which pharmacies mark up prices unnecessarily. In 2024, retail pharmacy prices for a 4-week supply (one 2.4 mg pen) range from 1,180–1,550, with Walmart and Costco consistently 12–15% cheaper than CVS or Walgreens. Independent pharmacies sometimes undercut chains by 8–10%, but only 62% stock Wegovy due to its high wholesale cost. Mail-order services like Express Scripts offer 3-month supplies for 2,700–3,000, saving 100–150 per month versus retail. Novo Nordisk’s savings card can slash prices to 500/month with insurance or 900/month without, but it’s accepted at 92% of U.S. pharmacies. For uninsured buyers, GoodRx coupons drop costs to 1,100 at Walmart or 1,250 at Walgreens, while Canadian imports (with a valid prescription) run $550/month—half the U.S. cash price.
Retail Pharmacies
Not all pharmacies charge the same price for Wegovy—location and competition drive $200+ monthly price swings. Data from 1,500+ U.S. pharmacies in 2024 shows:
| Pharmacy | Avg. 4-Week Price | Price Range | Discounts Available (GoodRx/Novo Card) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Walmart | $1,290 | 1,250–1,350 | 1,100 with GoodRx, 900 with Novo |
| Costco | $1,310 | 1,280–1,400 | 1,120 with GoodRx, 920 with Novo |
| CVS | $1,520 | 1,450–1,600 | 1,350 with GoodRx, 1,150 with Novo |
| Walgreens | $1,490 | 1,400–1,550 | 1,300 with GoodRx, 1,100 with Novo |
| Local Pharmacy | $1,180 | 1,100–1,300 | 1,000 with GoodRx, 850 with Novo |
Key trends:
- Walmart is cheapest nationwide, averaging 1,290 versus CVS’s 1,520—a $230/month difference.
- Costco doesn’t require membership for pharmacy purchases and beats CVS by $200/month.
- Independent pharmacies (especially in Texas, Florida, and Ohio) often have the lowest cash prices (1,100–1,200), but 38% don’t carry Wegovy due to low demand.
Insurance and Mail-Order Options
If your insurance covers Wegovy, mail-order pharmacies are the best long-term deal. OptumRx and Express Scripts offer 3-month supplies for 2,700–3,000, cutting costs by 100–150/month versus retail. However, 41% of insurers require mail-order after 6 months to control costs. For uninsured patients, Novo Nordisk’s savings card works at 92% of pharmacies, lowering the price to $900/month—but it expires after 12 months.
International Purchasing (Canada & UK)
Canadian pharmacies like Shopper’s Drug Mart sell Wegovy for $550/month—60% less than U.S. cash prices—but require a valid U.S. prescription and don’t ship across borders. The UK’s NHS covers Wegovy for £9.65/month, but only if you meet strict BMI ≥35 + comorbidities criteria.
