GLP-1 Cost Calculator
The list price of a GLP-1 is rarely what you pay. Enter your medication, insurance, and any coupon or savings card to see your real monthly and yearly cost — and how much you save versus retail.
A GLP-1 lists for about $1,000–$1,350 a month, but most people pay far less: roughly $25/month with commercial insurance plus a manufacturer savings card, a plan copay on Medicare or Medicaid, or about $499/month cash using the Wegovy and Zepbound self-pay vial programs. Estimate your real cost below.
What this calculator measures
This tool estimates your out-of-pocket cost for a GLP-1 medication — the amount you actually pay after insurance, coupons, and manufacturer savings cards are applied — and compares it to the full retail (list) price. It shows a monthly figure, an annual figure, and your yearly savings versus paying cash at retail.
How it works
The pricing logic
- List price is the sticker price — roughly $1,000–$1,350 a month depending on the drug.
- With a covered commercial plan, you pay a formulary copay, and a manufacturer savings card can drop it to as little as $25 a month.
- With Medicare or Medicaid, you pay the plan copay; savings cards are not allowed with federal insurance.
- Cash pay uses the manufacturer self-pay price where one exists (Wegovy and Zepbound offer lower-cost vials) and pharmacy coupons for the rest.
| Medication | ≈ List / month | ≈ Self-pay / month | With savings card* |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ozempic | $1,000 | ~$900 (coupon) | as low as $25 |
| Wegovy | $1,350 | ~$499 (vial program) | as low as $0–$25 |
| Mounjaro | $1,070 | ~$549 (vial program) | as low as $25 |
| Zepbound | $1,060 | ~$499 (vial program) | as low as $25 |
| Rybelsus | $1,000 | ~$900 (coupon) | as low as $25 |
*Savings cards require a commercial or employer plan and have monthly and annual caps. Figures are approximate and change often.
Why it matters
The gap between list price and real cost can be over $12,000 a year. People who never check their options often overpay, abandon treatment, or assume they can't afford a drug their plan would actually cover for $25 a month. A five-minute estimate can change that.
How to lower your cost
- Apply the manufacturer savings card if you have commercial insurance — it is the biggest single lever.
- Ask about the self-pay vial programs for Wegovy and Zepbound if you are uninsured.
- Check the formulary for the plan-preferred GLP-1 — it carries the lowest copay.
- Use FSA or HSA dollars to pay with pre-tax money (see the Savings Calculator below).
- Compare pharmacies — cash prices and coupon discounts vary between them.
Real-life example
Clinical considerations
Price should never be the only factor. The right GLP-1 depends on your diagnosis, other conditions, and how you tolerate the medication. Self-pay vial programs sometimes require specific dosing or pharmacy steps. Confirm current prices with the manufacturer and your pharmacy, and decide on the medication with your prescriber.
Frequently asked questions
Related calculators
References
- Manufacturer list prices and self-pay programs — NovoCare (Ozempic, Wegovy, Rybelsus) and LillyDirect (Mounjaro, Zepbound).
- U.S. Food & Drug Administration — approved labeling.
- Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services — federal anti-kickback rules on manufacturer coupons.
Tool Information
July 28, 2026
Dr. Jaydeep Sanghani
Meet Akabari
Dr. Jaydeep Sanghani
MBBS, MD, DNB(Anaesth.), PDCC(CCM), DrNB(CCM)
AIIMS Bhubaneswar · AIIMS Rishikesh
Critical care specialist and anesthesiologist with advanced training from AIIMS. Reviews health calculators at Calqulate to ensure medical accuracy and evidence-based standards.