Guide · Updated March 2026

GLP-1 Copay Cards and Patient Assistance Programs: 2026 Guide

Brand-name GLP-1 medications cost $900-$1,350 per month without savings programs. Manufacturer copay cards from Novo Nordisk (Wegovy, Ozempic) and Eli Lilly (Zepbound, Mounjaro) can reduce your out-of-pocket cost to as low as $0-$25 per month for eligible patients with commercial insurance. For uninsured patients, patient assistance programs (PAPs) may cover the full cost. This guide covers every available savings option as of March 2026.

The sticker price of GLP-1 medications is one of the biggest barriers to treatment. When I first looked at what Mounjaro would cost out of pocket, I almost gave up before I started. But the reality is that most people pay far less than the list price, and the savings programs available right now are genuinely generous. The catch is that they are temporary, confusing, and change frequently.

Here is every program available right now, who qualifies, what you actually save, and what to do when the savings run out.

Manufacturer Savings Programs at a Glance

Programs and terms current as of March 2026. These change frequently. Always verify directly with the manufacturer.

Eli Lilly Programs (Mounjaro and Zepbound)

Zepbound Savings Card

Eli Lilly’s savings card for Zepbound is one of the most generous in the industry right now.

Eligibility:

• Must have commercial (private) insurance
• Prescription must be for an FDA-approved indication (obesity/weight management for Zepbound)
• Not eligible if you have government insurance (Medicare, Medicaid, Tricare, VA)
• Must be a US resident, 18 or older

What you get:

• Pay as low as $25 per month for up to 13 fills
• If your insurance covers Zepbound, the card covers most or all of your remaining copay (up to $563 per fill)
• If your insurance does not cover Zepbound, the savings are more limited

How to activate:

1. Go to zepbound.lilly.com/savings
2. Enter your information and prescription details
3. Receive a digital savings card with a BIN, PCN, and Group number
4. Present the card at the pharmacy along with your insurance card
5. The pharmacist runs it as a secondary payer after your insurance

Important details:

• The card works at most major pharmacies (CVS, Walgreens, Walmart, etc.)
• If your pharmacy has trouble processing it, ask them to call the number on the back of the card
• You can also use it at specialty pharmacies

Mounjaro Savings Card

The Mounjaro savings card works similarly to the Zepbound card.

What you get:

• Pay as low as $25 per month
• Maximum savings of $573 per fill
• Available for up to 13 fills

Key difference from Zepbound: Mounjaro is prescribed for type 2 diabetes (FDA-approved indication), while Zepbound is prescribed for weight management. The savings cards are separate programs, so make sure you are using the right one for your prescription.

Zepbound Direct (Cash Pay Program)

For people without insurance coverage for Zepbound, Lilly offers a direct-to-consumer program.

What you get:

• Single-dose vials of tirzepatide at set prices
• 2.5mg/5mg: $399/month
• 7.5mg/10mg: $449/month
• 12.5mg/15mg: $549/month

How it works:

1. Your prescriber writes a prescription for Zepbound single-dose vials
2. The prescription is filled through Lilly Direct (their own pharmacy)
3. Medication ships to your home
4. No insurance needed at all

This is significantly cheaper than the $1,060+ list price for Zepbound pens, though still more expensive than compounded tirzepatide from online providers (which typically runs $150-$400/month).

Novo Nordisk Programs (Wegovy and Ozempic)

Wegovy Savings Card

Eligibility:

• Commercial insurance required
• Must have a prescription for Wegovy (weight management indication)
• Not eligible with Medicare, Medicaid, Tricare, or other government insurance
• US residents only

What you get:

• Pay as low as $0 per month
• Up to $500 off per 28-day fill
• Valid for up to 13 fills

How to activate:

1. Visit wegovy.com/savings
2. Complete the eligibility form
3. Receive your savings card (digital or by mail)
4. Present at the pharmacy alongside your insurance card

Reality check: The Wegovy savings card is excellent if your insurance covers Wegovy. If your insurance does not cover it, the $500 savings on a $1,350 medication still leaves you paying $850 per month. In that case, you may want to look at compounded semaglutide options through online providers.

Ozempic Savings Card

What you get:

• Pay as low as $25 per month
• Up to $150 off per fill
• Valid for up to 24 months

Important note: Ozempic is FDA-approved for type 2 diabetes, not weight loss. If your doctor prescribes it off-label for weight management, the savings card may still work, but insurance coverage is less likely for off-label use. The savings card reduces your copay after insurance. It does not replace insurance.

Patient Assistance Programs (PAPs) for Uninsured Patients

If you do not have insurance at all, both manufacturers offer patient assistance programs that can cover the full cost of medication.

Eli Lilly Patient Assistance Program

Eligibility:

• No insurance coverage for Mounjaro or Zepbound
• Household income at or below 400% of the Federal Poverty Level (about $60,240 for an individual in 2026)
• US resident
• Valid prescription

What you get:

• Free medication for 12 months
• Renewable annually if you still qualify

How to apply:

1. Download the application from lillycares.com
2. Complete the form with your prescriber
3. Include proof of income (tax return, pay stubs, or unemployment documentation)
4. Submit by mail, fax, or online
5. Processing takes 4-6 weeks
6. If approved, medication ships directly to your prescriber’s office or your home

Novo Nordisk Patient Assistance Program (NovoCare)

Eligibility:

• No prescription drug insurance
• Household income at or below 400% of the Federal Poverty Level
• US resident
• Legal US resident or citizen

What you get:

• Free Wegovy or Ozempic for up to 12 months
• Renewable annually

How to apply:

1. Call NovoCare at 1-888-809-3942
2. Or visit novocare.com to download the application
3. Complete with your prescriber and submit income documentation
4. Typical processing time: 2-4 weeks

Step-by-Step: How to Maximize Your Savings

Here is the process I recommend for getting the lowest possible cost on GLP-1 medications:

Step 1: Check your insurance formulary. Call the number on the back of your insurance card and ask specifically: “Is [medication name] covered on my formulary? What tier is it? What is my expected copay?” Get this in writing if possible.

Step 2: Get the manufacturer savings card. Even before filling your prescription, activate the savings card. It takes 5 minutes online and costs nothing.

Step 3: Ask your pharmacist to stack. When you fill the prescription, hand the pharmacist both your insurance card and the savings card. They run insurance first, then apply the savings card to whatever remains. Make sure they know to process both.

Step 4: If insurance denies coverage, appeal. Your prescriber can submit a prior authorization (PA) to your insurance company. If denied, they can appeal. Many denials are overturned on appeal with supporting documentation (BMI, comorbidities, failed diet attempts).

Step 5: Consider compounded alternatives. If brand-name medications are still too expensive after savings cards and appeals, compounded tirzepatide and semaglutide are available through licensed online providers at $150-$400/month. These are available as long as the FDA shortage declaration remains in effect.

Step 6: Apply for PAP if uninsured. If you have no insurance and meet income requirements, the PAP is your best option. Free medication beats any savings card.

What Happens When Savings Expire

This is the question nobody talks about until it hits them. Most savings cards have limits (13 fills for Zepbound and Wegovy, 24 months for Ozempic). Here is what to expect and how to prepare.

When your savings card expires:

• Your out-of-pocket cost jumps to whatever your insurance copay is without the savings card
• For many people with good commercial insurance, this is $50-$150/month, which is manageable
• For people with high-deductible plans, it can jump to $500-$1,000/month
• For people whose insurance does not cover the medication, the full list price kicks in

How to prepare:

1. Track your fill count. Know how many fills you have used and when your savings card expires.
2. Check for renewal. Lilly and Novo Nordisk sometimes extend or renew savings programs. Check the program website 30 days before your last covered fill.
3. Build insurance coverage. If your employer offers multiple plan options, review them during open enrollment. Some plans cover GLP-1 medications better than others.
4. Have a backup plan. Know your compounded options. Know your provider’s cash-pay price. Do not wait until you are out of savings to research alternatives.
5. Talk to your prescriber. They may be able to help with samples, internal savings programs, or switching to a medication with better coverage under your plan.

Other Ways to Save

Pharmacy Discount Programs

GoodRx, RxSaver, and similar services occasionally have GLP-1 discounts, though they rarely beat manufacturer savings cards. Worth checking as a backup.

Compounded GLP-1 Medications

Currently the most cost-effective option for many patients. Compounded tirzepatide runs $150-$400/month through telehealth providers while the FDA shortage is active. See our guide to the cheapest GLP-1 options online for a full comparison.

Employer Wellness Programs

Some large employers have added GLP-1 medications to their wellness benefits. Ask your HR department if this is available. Companies that self-insure their health plans are more likely to add this coverage.

HSA and FSA

GLP-1 medications are eligible for Health Savings Account (HSA) and Flexible Spending Account (FSA) payments. Using pre-tax dollars effectively saves you 20-35% depending on your tax bracket.

FAQ

Can I use a copay card with Medicare or Medicaid?

No. Federal law prohibits manufacturer copay cards from being used with government-funded insurance programs, including Medicare Part D, Medicaid, Tricare, and VA benefits. If you have Medicare, your options are the Medicare Part D coverage (if the medication is on your plan’s formulary), the patient assistance program (if you meet income requirements), or paying cash (including through Zepbound Direct).

What if my pharmacy says the savings card is not working?

This happens more often than it should. First, make sure the card has not expired and you have not exceeded the fill limit. Then ask the pharmacist to call the number on the back of the savings card for real-time support. Common issues include incorrect BIN/PCN numbers, the card not being entered as a secondary payer, or the pharmacy’s system not recognizing the program. A phone call to the help line usually resolves it within 10 minutes.

Can I combine a manufacturer savings card with a GoodRx coupon?

No. You can use one or the other, not both. The manufacturer savings card is almost always the better deal. GoodRx coupons replace your insurance entirely, while savings cards work on top of your insurance coverage.

Are compounded GLP-1 medications safe?

Compounded tirzepatide and semaglutide from licensed 503A and 503B pharmacies are made with the same active ingredient as the brand-name versions. The FDA has issued warnings about some individual compounding pharmacies with quality issues, so choosing a reputable provider matters. See our provider reviews for detailed breakdowns of the major compounding providers.

Related

Guides:

• GLP-1 Side Effects Month by Month
• Cheapest Way to Get GLP-1 Online

Tools:

• GLP-1 Cost Estimator
• Provider Match

Reviews:

• Best Online GLP-1 Programs
• Browse All Providers