Semaglutide costs depend almost entirely on which form you use and whether insurance covers any of it. Brand-name Wegovy lists at approximately $1,349 per month. Generic semaglutide does not exist yet. Compounded semaglutide from telehealth programs runs between $200 and $500 per month depending on the provider and dose. These numbers vary and change frequently, which makes getting an accurate current price before committing to any program important.

Brand-Name Wegovy: List Price vs. What You Pay

Novo Nordisk’s list price for Wegovy is approximately $1,349 for a monthly supply (four 2.4 mg pens). This is the retail price without any insurance, coupons, or assistance programs.

The Wegovy Savings Card offered by Novo Nordisk can reduce monthly out-of-pocket cost to as low as $25 for commercially insured patients who qualify, for up to 24 months. Patients who are uninsured, on Medicare, or on Medicaid typically do not qualify for this program.

Insurance coverage for Wegovy is inconsistent. Many commercial plans excluded weight loss medications from formularies until recently. Coverage has expanded following FDA approval of Wegovy for cardiovascular risk reduction in 2024, which strengthened the clinical case for coverage, but many employers and plans still exclude obesity medications specifically. Medicare Part D historically excluded weight loss drugs but has begun covering Wegovy for cardiovascular indications in eligible patients.

Without insurance or savings programs, a full year of Wegovy at list price costs approximately $16,188. This figure alone explains why compounded alternatives attracted such significant demand.

Ozempic: Off-Label vs. On-Label Pricing

Ozempic lists at approximately $935 to $1,000 per month, lower than Wegovy. Some patients with type 2 diabetes have it covered under diabetes benefits while Wegovy would be excluded under obesity benefits. Off-label prescribing of Ozempic for weight loss without diabetes is common but puts coverage at risk: insurers can deny claims for off-label uses.

Compounded Semaglutide: The Real Price Range

Compounded semaglutide from telehealth programs represents the main way people access semaglutide at significantly lower prices. Price ranges in early 2026:

Starting dose (0.25 mg monthly supply): $100-200 from most telehealth providers. These introductory prices are designed to be attractive but do not represent the ongoing cost.

Maintenance dose (2.4 mg monthly supply): $300-550 across most providers. This is the price that matters for anyone planning long-term use. Some providers charge considerably more at higher doses; some have flat pricing. Verifying the maintenance-dose price before starting is one of the most important steps in evaluating any program.

Annual cost at maintenance dose: $3,600-6,600, depending on provider. This is roughly 22-41% of brand-name Wegovy’s list price.

The regulatory background on compounded semaglutide, who can legally compound it, under what conditions, and what quality verification looks like, is covered in Compounded Semaglutide vs. Brand-Name Ozempic: What Is the Actual Difference?

Why Maintenance-Dose Price Is the Only Price That Matters

Telehealth programs consistently advertise their starting-dose price because it is lowest. A program charging $99 in month one and $399 in months two through twelve charges you $4,484 for the year, not $99. The first-month price is a marketing number.

Ask every provider directly: what is the all-in price at the 2.4 mg maintenance dose, including any consultation fees, shipping, and supplies? Some programs include clinical messaging in their monthly fee; others charge per consultation on top of the medication cost. The medication price alone does not tell the full story.

Before committing to a single program, comparing what multiple providers charge at maintenance dose, not the introductory rate, is the most useful exercise. A comparison resource like ManyTreatments tracks pricing across more than 20 GLP-1 programs at the dose you will actually be taking long-term, which is harder to find than introductory pricing.

Patient Assistance Programs

Novo Nordisk offers a patient assistance program, NovoCare, for patients who meet income requirements. Qualifying patients may receive Wegovy at no cost or significantly reduced cost. Income thresholds and availability change; checking directly with the program is the most accurate way to determine eligibility.

Some states have programs that assist with medication costs for qualifying residents. State pharmaceutical assistance programs (SPAPs) vary by state and income threshold.

Tirzepatide Pricing for Comparison

Zepbound (tirzepatide for weight loss) lists at approximately $1,060-1,100 per month, somewhat below Wegovy’s list price. Compounded tirzepatide, available through similar telehealth channels, runs at pricing comparable to compounded semaglutide: $250-500 per month at maintenance doses.

As of early 2026, compounded tirzepatide availability depends on the ongoing FDA shortage designation status, which has been more ambiguous than the semaglutide situation. Some programs offer both; others specialize in one or the other.

What Is Not Included in the Medication Price

Telehealth programs charge separately for various services depending on their model. Before calculating total cost, factor in:

  • Initial consultation fee (typically $30-100, often waived in month one)
  • Follow-up consultation fees if not included in monthly subscription
  • Shipping (usually $10-15 per shipment, sometimes free)
  • Needles and alcohol swabs if not supplied
  • Any required lab tests before starting

For guidance on what to look for when comparing programs, see How to Get Weight Loss Medication Online: What You Need to Know Before You Sign Up.