Guide · Updated September 2026

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

Manufacturer copay cards from Novo Nordisk (Wegovy, Ozempic) and Eli Lilly (Zepbound, Mounjaro) can lower costs for eligible people with commercial insurance. Other routes include manufacturer self-pay programs, the Medicare GLP-1 Bridge, and product-specific patient assistance. Terms and eligibility change often, so this guide links to the live program pages and was checked September 1, 2026.

The sticker price of GLP-1 medications can be a major barrier to treatment. When I first looked at what Mounjaro would cost out of pocket, I almost gave up before I started. Savings programs are temporary, have detailed eligibility rules, and change over time. What was true in 2025 may not be true now.

Here are the main manufacturer and Medicare routes checked for this update, who may qualify, and what to verify before filling.

Manufacturer Savings Programs at a Glance

Programs and terms current as of September 2026. These change frequently and the caps above apply when your plan covers the medication. Always verify directly with the manufacturer before filling.

Eli Lilly Programs (Mounjaro and Zepbound)

Zepbound Savings Card

Eli Lilly maintains a savings program for eligible commercially insured patients prescribed Zepbound. Because the limits can change, use the official Zepbound savings page rather than relying on an old card image or third-party summary.

Eligibility for the $25 covered offer:

• Must have commercial (private) insurance that covers the prescribed Zepbound presentation
• Prescription must be for an approved use consistent with Zepbound’s current FDA labeling
• Not eligible if you have government insurance (Medicare, Medicaid, Tricare, VA)
• Must be a US resident, 18 or older

What you get:

• Eligible patients whose commercial plan covers Zepbound may pay as little as $25
• Maximum benefits, fill limits, and expiration dates are governed by the current program terms
• People whose plan does not cover Zepbound may have a different offer or be better served by the self-pay vial program

The catch: “as little as $25” is not a guaranteed price. Your final cost depends on the insurer’s allowed amount, deductible, coverage decision, the card’s current benefit limit, dose, and pharmacy processing.

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:

• Confirm that the pharmacy can process the current program before filling
• 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 little as $25 per month if your remaining copay is small enough
• Fill limits and maximum savings are governed by the current Mounjaro savings terms

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:

• Zepbound vials or KwikPen, depending on dose and fulfillment channel
• 2.5 mg: $299 per month
• 5 mg: $399 per month
• 7.5-15 mg: as low as $449 per month through the Journey program when refill-timing and other requirements are met

How it works:

1. Your prescriber writes a prescription for the eligible Zepbound presentation
2. The prescription is filled through LillyDirect or another participating pharmacy channel
3. Medication ships to your home
4. The official page includes a self-pay route for people without insurance; terms still apply

Check the official Zepbound page before each refill because dose pricing and Journey requirements can change.

Novo Nordisk Programs (Wegovy and Ozempic)

Wegovy Savings Card

Eligibility for the $25 insured offer:

• Commercial insurance is required
• Must have a prescription for Wegovy and meet the current offer terms
• Government-insured patients cannot combine the copay benefit with their insurance, but the separate self-pay offer may be available outside those benefits
• US residents only

What you get:

• Pay as little as $25 per month if eligible
• Up to $100 per month under the current terms
• Self-pay prices currently start at $149 for certain tablet doses and $199 for the first two eligible starter injection fills; other dose prices differ
• See the official Wegovy savings page for enrollment and limits

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 advertised minimum is not guaranteed. If the card does not apply or leaves a high balance, compare your plan’s appeal route with NovoCare’s current cash-pay program and other FDA-approved options with your prescriber.

Ozempic Savings Card

What you get:

• Pay as low as $25 per month if your remaining copay is small enough
• Up to $100 off per fill ($1,001 annual cap)
• Valid for up to 48 months

Important note: Ozempic is FDA-approved for type 2 diabetes, not weight loss. Off-label prescribing does not establish eligibility for the savings card or insurance coverage; check the current program terms and plan rules for the prescribed use. The savings card reduces an eligible copay after insurance. It does not replace insurance.

Patient Assistance Programs (PAPs)

Patient assistance is product-specific. Do not assume that every Lilly or Novo Nordisk drug is included, or that one income threshold applies to every medicine. Check the manufacturer’s current covered-product list before collecting paperwork.

Eli Lilly Patient Assistance

Use Lilly Cares to check the current medication list and eligibility. A Mounjaro or Zepbound prescription does not, by itself, establish that the drug is available through the foundation. If it is not listed, use Lilly’s savings and self-pay pages or ask the prescriber’s office about other assistance.

Novo Nordisk Patient Assistance Program (NovoCare)

Novo Nordisk’s current PAP page says some medicines are no longer included in 2026 and applies different income rules by product. It lists an income ceiling of 200% of the federal poverty level for uninsured Ozempic patients and 400% for other included medicines. Confirm that your medication and insurance status qualify on the live page.

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: Check manufacturer-card eligibility. If you qualify, enroll through the official program before filling the prescription.

Step 3: Present both cards. For an eligible copay-card claim, the pharmacy generally processes commercial insurance first and the savings card second. Ask the pharmacy or program help line if the claim rejects.

Step 4: If insurance denies coverage, read the denial. Your prescriber can appeal when the denial reason can be addressed, such as missing records or an incorrectly applied criterion. A formulary exclusion may require a different route.

Step 5: Compare cash-pay options carefully. Include manufacturer self-pay programs and FDA-approved alternatives. Compounded GLP-1 drugs are not FDA-approved, are not generic versions of the brands, and should be used only when a licensed prescriber determines that a compounded product meets an individual patient’s medical need.

Step 6: Check PAP eligibility if uninsured. Verify that your exact medication is on the current manufacturer list, then apply if you meet the product-specific insurance and income rules.

What Happens When Savings Expire

This is the question nobody talks about until it hits them. Savings cards have eligibility rules, dollar or fill limits, and expiration terms. Here is what to expect and how to prepare.

When your savings card expires:

• Your out-of-pocket cost returns to the amount determined by the plan, deductible, coverage status, and pharmacy claim without that card
• The change can be substantial, but there is no universal post-card price
• A separate manufacturer self-pay offer may have different eligibility and should be checked independently

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 the manufacturer’s cash-pay price and which FDA-approved alternatives your plan covers. Do not wait until you are out of savings to research alternatives.
5. Talk to your prescriber. Ask about FDA-approved alternatives with better formulary coverage and how any treatment change should be handled safely.

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

Compounded GLP-1 drugs are not FDA-approved and FDA says they should be used only when a patient’s medical need cannot be met by an approved drug. The agency has also warned about fraudulent labels, dosing errors, and salt forms. See our cost comparison and discuss the choice with a licensed prescriber.

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

Prescription GLP-1 medication costs generally qualify for HSA/FSA reimbursement. The tax effect depends on your circumstances; see our HSA/FSA guide and your plan administrator’s rules.

FAQ

Can I use a copay card with Medicare or Medicaid?

Manufacturer copay cards generally exclude people enrolled in Medicare, Medicaid, Tricare, or VA benefits. Medicare beneficiaries may have normal Part D coverage for a coverable indication. Separately, eligible Part D beneficiaries can access Foundayo, Wegovy, or Zepbound KwikPen for weight management through the Medicare GLP-1 Bridge for $50 per month through December 31, 2027, subject to prior authorization.

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

First, check the expiration date, eligibility, savings cap, and fill limit. Then ask the pharmacist to use the processing instructions or call the number on the card. A rejection can reflect eligibility, plan adjudication, entered identifiers, secondary-payer processing, or pharmacy participation; resolution time varies.

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

The same pharmacy claim generally cannot use both. Ask the pharmacy to compare the final price under each route before choosing; a discount-card transaction is processed instead of insurance, while a copay card generally applies after eligible commercial coverage.

Are compounded GLP-1 medications safe?

Compounded tirzepatide and semaglutide are not FDA-approved, and FDA does not verify their safety, effectiveness, or quality before marketing. FDA also warns against claims that they are generics or have the “same active ingredient” as approved products. A licensed prescriber should determine whether a patient-specific compounded drug is medically appropriate; pharmacy licensure alone does not make it FDA-approved.

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