Semaglutide Savings Programs & Patient Assistance: Save Up to $800/Month

The list price for semaglutide weight loss medications can exceed $1,400 per month, putting them out of reach for many patients. However, manufacturer savings programs, patient assistance foundations, and copay reduction strategies can dramatically reduce costs—sometimes to as low as $25 per month. This comprehensive guide reveals every available savings option and how to qualify.

Overview of Savings Options

Manufacturer Savings Cards: The Best Option for Insured Patients

Wegovy Savings Card

Offered by: Novo Nordisk
Maximum benefit: Pay as little as $0-25 per 28-day supply
Maximum savings: Up to $650 per 28-day prescription (13 times per year)

Eligibility Requirements

• Must have commercial (private) insurance that covers Wegovy
• Cannot be used if insured by government programs (Medicare, Medicaid, Tricare)
• Must be 18+ years old
• Valid prescription required

How to Enroll

1. Visit WegovySavings.com
2. Complete online registration (takes 3-5 minutes)
3. Receive savings card immediately (digital or mail)
4. Present card to pharmacy with prescription

Important Limitations

• Valid for 13 uses per calendar year
• Cannot be combined with any federal or state-funded programs
• Only works at participating pharmacies
• Card expires annually; must re-enroll

Ozempic Savings Card

Offered by: Novo Nordisk
Maximum benefit: Pay as little as $25 per 30-day supply
Maximum savings: Up to $150 per prescription for up to 24 months

Eligibility Requirements

• Commercial insurance that covers Ozempic
• Prescribed for FDA-approved indication (Type 2 diabetes)
• Not enrolled in Medicare, Medicaid, or other government insurance
• Pharmacy must accept the card

Off-Label Use Note

While Ozempic is FDA-approved only for diabetes, the savings card can still apply if your insurance covers off-label weight loss use. However, insurers are increasingly denying Ozempic for weight loss alone.

Savings Card Strategies to Maximize Benefits

• Use specialty pharmacies: Better at processing manufacturer cards than retail
• Confirm coverage first: Card only works if insurance covers the drug
• Check pharmacy participation: Not all pharmacies accept all cards
• Track your uses: Know when you're approaching annual limit
• Plan for year-end: Cards reset January 1st; strategize timing

Patient Assistance Programs (PAPs): Free Medication for Qualifying Patients

Novo Nordisk Patient Assistance Program

Provides free medication to eligible patients who cannot afford their prescriptions.

Eligibility Criteria

• Income: At or below 400% of Federal Poverty Level
  • Single person: ~$60,000/year or less
  • Family of 4: ~$124,000/year or less
• Insurance: Uninsured, underinsured, or Medicare Part D with coverage gap
• Citizenship: U.S. resident
• Prescription: Valid prescription from licensed provider

Application Process

1. Visit NNConnect.com or call 1-866-310-7549
2. Complete application (online or mail)
3. Provide income documentation:
   • Recent tax returns
   • Pay stubs (last 2 months)
   • Unemployment benefits statement
   • Social Security award letter
4. Provider signs prescription form
5. Submit all documents

Timeline

• Application review: 7-10 business days
• Medication shipment: 3-5 days after approval
• Approval period: 12 months (must reapply annually)

Alternative PAPs

• NeedyMeds: Database of 14,000+ PAPs; search by medication
• RxAssist: Free service to help find and apply for PAPs
• Partnership for Prescription Assistance: Matches patients with programs

Foundation Copay Assistance Programs

Patient Access Network (PAN) Foundation

Program: Obesity/Overweight Treatment Fund
Assistance: Up to $5,500 per year for out-of-pocket costs

Eligibility

• Diagnosed with obesity or overweight-related condition
• Income at or below 500% FPL (~$75,000 single, ~$155,000 family of 4)
• Have insurance but high out-of-pocket costs
• Funds available (programs open/close based on funding)

Application

• Visit PANfoundation.org
• Check if fund is currently open (funds close when depleted)
• Apply online with income verification
• Receive assistance within 1-2 weeks if approved

HealthWell Foundation

Program: Varies by disease fund
Assistance: Grants up to $15,000 per year

Relevant Funds

• Diabetes Prescription Assistance
• Cardiovascular Disease Co-Pay Assistance
• Obesity/Weight Management (when open)

Key Points

• Funds open/close unpredictably
• First-come, first-served basis
• Sign up for email alerts when funds reopen
• Act quickly when notified—funds deplete within days

The Assistance Fund (TAF)

• Similar to PAN and HealthWell
• Disease-specific copay assistance
• Check availability for diabetes or cardiovascular funds
• Income limits and funding availability apply

Pharmacy Discount Cards (for Uninsured Patients)

Top Discount Card Options

GoodRx

• Typical savings: 10-30% off cash price
• Wegovy price: $900-1,200/month (varies by pharmacy)
• Ozempic price: $800-1,000/month
• Best feature: Price comparison tool across pharmacies

SingleCare

• Similar to GoodRx
• Sometimes offers better pricing at specific pharmacies
• Free to use, no registration required

RxSaver

• Owned by RetailMeNot
• Compare prices and print coupons instantly
• Works at major chain pharmacies

Important Limitations

• Cannot be used with insurance (either/or choice)
• Cannot be combined with manufacturer savings cards
• Savings often modest for expensive medications like semaglutide
• Prices vary widely by pharmacy and location

Creative Savings Strategies

Splitting Prescriptions

• If insurance has per-prescription limit, fill maintenance dose only
• Extend titration period to stretch supply
• Work with provider to optimize dosing for cost

Pharmacy Shopping

• Prices vary by $200-400 between pharmacies
• Check: Costco (no membership needed for pharmacy), Sam's Club, Walmart, independents
• Specialty pharmacies (Alto, Truepill, Capsule) sometimes have better pricing

Employer Advocacy

• If employer self-funds health plan, they control formulary
• Build business case for adding GLP-1 coverage
• Cite long-term cost savings from improved health outcomes

Health Savings Accounts (HSAs)

• Use pre-tax dollars to pay for prescriptions
• Saves 20-35% through tax advantages
• Especially valuable for high earners

Compounded Semaglutide: The Affordable Alternative

Cost Comparison

• Brand-name Wegovy: $1,400/month retail, $25-300 with insurance/savings
• Compounded semaglutide: $300-500/month cash pay
• Savings: 60-70% vs. retail price

What You Need to Know

• Made by FDA-registered 503B compounding facilities
• Same active ingredient as brand-name versions
• Not FDA-approved (compounded drugs don't go through FDA approval)
• Quality varies by pharmacy—choose reputable sources

Reputable Compounding Sources

• Telemedicine platforms: Hims, Hers, Ro Body, Henry Meds
• Local compounding pharmacies (PCAB-accredited preferred)
• Comprehensive programs often include medical supervision

Navigating Multiple Options: Decision Tree

If You Have Commercial Insurance That Covers Semaglutide:

1. Use manufacturer savings card (Wegovy or Ozempic)
2. Reduces copay to $0-25/month most cases

If You Have Commercial Insurance But High Copay ($200+):

1. Apply manufacturer savings card first
2. If still expensive, apply to foundation copay programs
3. Consider appeal for lower tier placement

If You Have Medicare or Medicaid:

1. Cannot use manufacturer savings cards
2. Apply to Patient Assistance Program if income-eligible
3. Consider compounded semaglutide ($300-500/month)

If You're Uninsured:

1. Apply to Patient Assistance Program (free if eligible)
2. If not eligible, use pharmacy discount cards
3. Consider compounded semaglutide for best value

Staying Informed About New Programs

Resources to Monitor

• NeedyMeds.org: Comprehensive PAP database, updated regularly
• RxAssist.org: PAP search tool and news
• Manufacturer websites: Check quarterly for program updates
• Foundation websites: Sign up for fund opening alerts

Red Flags: Assistance Program Scams

Beware of fraudulent programs:

• Requests for upfront fees or "application fees"
• Guarantees of approval before reviewing eligibility
• Pressure to act immediately or "limited time offers"
• Requests for unnecessary personal information (SSN for discount cards)
• Medications shipped from outside the U.S. claiming to be "assistance programs"

Legitimate programs are always free to apply and never guarantee approval.

Conclusion

While semaglutide medications carry high list prices, numerous assistance programs can dramatically reduce costs for eligible patients. The key is understanding which programs you qualify for based on your insurance status, income, and specific circumstances. For commercially insured patients, manufacturer savings cards are the first line of defense, reducing costs to $0-25/month in most cases. For uninsured or underinsured patients, Patient Assistance Programs and foundation copay assistance can provide free or heavily discounted medication. When all else fails, compounded semaglutide offers a legitimate, affordable alternative at 60-70% savings. With persistence and the right combination of programs, virtually anyone prescribed semaglutide can find a way to afford their treatment.