GLP-1 Medication Cost Index, April 2026
Updated monthly by Trimi Health's research team. The most comprehensive GLP-1 pricing database available.
Key Findings
$1,150
Avg. monthly list price (brand)
$13,098
Avg. annual list price (brand)
$25–250
Typical monthly copay with commercial coverage
Averaged across the four brand list prices in the table above (Wegovy, Ozempic, Mounjaro and Zepbound), brand list price is about $1,092 per month and $13,098 per year. Patients with commercial coverage that includes anti-obesity medications typically pay $25–250 per month.
Semaglutide Pricing Comparison
| Source | Monthly Cost | Annual Cost |
|---|---|---|
| Wegovy (brand, list price) | $1,349/mo | $16,188/yr |
| Ozempic (brand, list price, off-label for weight loss) | $935/mo | $11,220/yr |
| Wegovy with commercial insurance coverage | $25–150/mo | $300–1,800/yr |
Semaglutide brand pricing reflects manufacturer list price without insurance, surveyed April 2026. Wegovy and Ozempic are FDA-approved finished drugs; compounded semaglutide is made per individual prescription by state-licensed 503A pharmacies and is not itself FDA-approved as a drug. Compounded pricing is set independently by each pharmacy and telehealth provider and is not included in the brand list-price figures above.
Tirzepatide Pricing Comparison
| Source | Monthly Cost | Annual Cost |
|---|---|---|
| Mounjaro (brand, list price) | $1,023/mo | $12,276/yr |
| Zepbound (brand, list price) | $1,059/mo | $12,708/yr |
| Zepbound with commercial insurance coverage | $25–250/mo | $300–3,000/yr |
Tirzepatide brand pricing reflects manufacturer list price without insurance, surveyed April 2026. Mounjaro and Zepbound are FDA-approved finished drugs; compounded tirzepatide is made per individual prescription by state-licensed 503A pharmacies and is not itself FDA-approved as a drug. Compounded pricing is set independently by each pharmacy and telehealth provider and is not included in the brand list-price figures above.
Cost Per Pound Lost Analysis
Comparing the cost-effectiveness of different weight loss approaches using published average outcomes and brand list pricing.
| Method | Avg. Weight Lost | Annual Cost | Cost Per Pound |
|---|---|---|---|
| Semaglutide (Wegovy list price) | 33 lbs (14.9%, STEP 1) | $16,188 | $490/lb |
| Tirzepatide (Zepbound list price) | 46 lbs (20.9%, SURMOUNT-1) | $12,708 | $276/lb |
| Bariatric surgery | 100 lbs | $20,000–$35,000 | $200–350/lb |
| Commercial diet programs | 10 lbs | $1,200–$3,600 | $120–360/lb |
Weight loss averages based on published clinical trial data. Semaglutide: STEP 1 trial, about 14.9% of body weight at 68 weeks. Tirzepatide: SURMOUNT-1 trial, about 20.9% of body weight at 72 weeks. Both trials studied the FDA-approved branded products. Individual results vary. Based on a 220 lb starting weight and manufacturer list price. Bariatric surgery costs include the procedure only.
Insurance Coverage Landscape
Commercial Insurance
Only about 30-40% of commercial insurance plans cover GLP-1 medications for weight loss as of April 2026. Many plans that do cover them require prior authorization, step therapy, or have quantity limits. Copays range from $25 to $250/month depending on the plan.
Medicare & Medicaid
Medicare Part D does not cover anti-obesity medications. Medicaid coverage varies by state, with approximately 15 states offering some level of GLP-1 coverage for obesity as of 2026. Legislative efforts to expand coverage are ongoing.
Manufacturer Savings Programs
Novo Nordisk and Eli Lilly offer savings cards that can reduce copays for commercially insured patients. These programs typically reduce out-of-pocket costs to $0-$25 per month but are not available to patients on government insurance or those paying cash.
FSA & HSA Eligibility
Compounded GLP-1 medications prescribed by a licensed provider are eligible for FSA and HSA reimbursement. This effectively reduces the after-tax cost by 25-35% depending on your tax bracket. Trimi plans are FSA and HSA eligible.
How to Get the Lowest Price on GLP-1 Medications
Check your insurance coverage first
If your plan covers GLP-1s for weight loss with a low copay, that will be the cheapest option. Call the number on your insurance card and ask about coverage for Wegovy, Zepbound, or Mounjaro.
Ask about the compounded pathway if you are paying cash
If your plan does not cover GLP-1s, a licensed provider can evaluate you for compounded semaglutide or tirzepatide, which is prepared per individual prescription by a state-licensed 503A pharmacy. Compounded preparations are not FDA-approved as drugs, and each provider publishes its own cash-pay rate.
Compare plan terms, not just the headline rate
Longer prepaid plans carry the lowest monthly rate at most telehealth providers, including Trimi, but a 12-month plan is a 12-month commitment. Only month-to-month plans cancel freely. Confirm the billing term before you enroll.
Use your FSA or HSA
GLP-1 prescriptions from a licensed provider are FSA and HSA eligible. Paying with pre-tax dollars reduces your effective cost by roughly 25-35%, depending on your marginal tax rate.
Look for flat-rate, all-dose pricing
Many providers charge more at higher doses. Trimi charges the same price at every dose level, so your cost stays predictable even as your treatment progresses.
Methodology
The GLP-1 Medication Cost Index is compiled monthly by Trimi Health's research team using the following data sources:
- Brand pricing: Wholesale Acquisition Cost (WAC) from manufacturer pricing sheets and GoodRx retail price data.
- Insurance data: Copay ranges from formulary databases and patient-reported costs across online communities.
- Scope: This index reports brand list pricing and insurance copay ranges. Compounded preparations are dispensed per individual prescription and priced independently by each pharmacy and telehealth provider, so they are not scored against brand list price in this dataset.
- Clinical outcomes: Weight loss percentages from published Phase 3 clinical trials (STEP 1 for semaglutide, SURMOUNT-1 for tirzepatide).
- Bariatric surgery costs: National averages from the American Society for Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery.
Prices are updated on the first of each month. All prices are in US dollars and reflect cash-pay or plan pricing without additional discount programs unless otherwise noted.
Cite This Data
This data is published under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 license. You are free to share and adapt this data with proper attribution.
Trimi Health. "GLP-1 Medication Cost Index, April 2026." trytrimi.com/glp1-cost-index. Accessed August 21, 2026.
For media inquiries or data requests, contact research@trytrimi.com
See Whether the Compounded Pathway Fits You
Trimi Health connects patients with licensed providers who can evaluate them for compounded semaglutide or tirzepatide, prepared per individual prescription by a state-licensed 503A pharmacy. No insurance needed. The same rate applies at every dose.
The pricing data on this page is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical or financial advice. Actual costs may vary based on location, insurance plan, pharmacy, and other factors. Trimi Health is a provider of compounded GLP-1 medications and publishes this index as brand and insurance pricing research. Wegovy, Ozempic, Mounjaro and Zepbound are FDA-approved finished drugs; compounded preparations are made per individual prescription by state-licensed 503A pharmacies and are not themselves FDA-approved as drugs. The statements on this page have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration.