GLP-1 Affordability Calculator: Can You Afford Ozempic, Wegovy or Mounjaro?

The answer is deceptively complicated. The list price of Wegovy is $1,350 per month. But with the right insurance, savings cards, or compounded alternatives, some patients pay as little as $25. This calculator cuts through the confusion by personalizing the numbers to your specific income, expenses, and coverage — giving you a clear, honest picture before you ever call your doctor’s office.

Over 41 million Americans are now using or considering GLP-1 medications for weight loss and diabetes management. Yet the single biggest barrier to starting is the same question millions of people type into Google every day: How much will this actually cost me?

What You Will Know in Under 2 Minutes

• Your estimated monthly GLP-1 health budget based on your real income and expenses
• The actual out-of-pocket cost for 5 medications — adjusted for your specific insurance type
• A clear Affordable / Stretch / Over Budget rating for each drug
• Annual cost projections so you can plan a full year of treatment
• Which medications make the most financial sense for your situation

Related: BMI Calculator for Woman · Ultimate BMI Calculator · Harris Benedict Calculator for BMR

2025 GLP-1 Price Snapshot: What to Expect Before You Calculate

Before entering your details below, here is a quick snapshot of 2025 pricing to calibrate your expectations. These are national averages — the calculator will refine them for your specific situation:

Prices are 2025 estimates based on published list prices and average insurance adjustments. Use the calculator below for your personalized cost based on your income and coverage.

How the GLP-1 Affordability Calculator Works

The calculator uses a transparent budgeting model. It takes your monthly take-home income and subtracts your essential fixed costs — rent, food, transportation, utilities, and current healthcare spending. From the remaining discretionary income, it allocates 35% as your estimated health budget. This percentage is based on standard financial planning benchmarks for discretionary healthcare spending among working-age adults.

That health budget is then compared against the real 2025 out-of-pocket costs for five GLP-1 medications, with prices automatically adjusted based on your insurance type. The result is a personalized affordability rating for each drug — not a generic price list copied from a manufacturer’s website.

Understanding Your Affordability Ratings

What ‘Within Budget’ Means

A ‘Within Budget’ rating means the estimated monthly cost of that medication falls at or below your calculated health budget. It signals financial accessibility based on your inputs. It does not mean the medication is medically appropriate for you — that determination belongs to your healthcare provider. But it gives you the confidence to have that conversation knowing cost is not an obstacle.

What ‘Stretch Budget’ Means

‘Stretch Budget’ means the monthly cost is between 100% and 150% of your estimated health budget. It is financially possible, but would require either trimming other discretionary spending or finding additional savings. In practice, this often means exploring manufacturer savings programs, pharmacy discount cards like GoodRx, or asking your provider about samples to reduce first-month costs.

What ‘Over Budget’ Means — and What to Do

If most options show as ‘Over Budget,’ there are still viable pathways. Manufacturer patient assistance programs, telehealth platforms offering compounded semaglutide at $150–$300/month, employer wellness reimbursement, and state Medicaid expansion have made GLP-1 therapy accessible even to lower-income patients. The section below outlines the five most effective cost-reduction strategies.

5 Proven Ways to Lower Your GLP-1 Out-of-Pocket Costs

1. Manufacturer Savings Programs:  Novo Nordisk offers NovoCare patient assistance for Wegovy and Ozempic — eligible patients can pay as little as $25/month. Eli Lilly’s Lilly Cares covers Mounjaro and Zepbound. Both programs have income-based eligibility criteria.
2. GoodRx and Pharmacy Discount Cards:  In late 2025, GoodRx partnered with Novo Nordisk to offer Ozempic at $199/month for first-time users. Discount cards at Costco, Mark Cuban’s Cost Plus Drugs, and RxSaver can reduce costs by 20–40% at participating pharmacies.
3. Telehealth Compounding Platforms:  Platforms such as Hims, Ro, and similar telehealth services offer licensed-provider prescribed compounded semaglutide at $150–$300/month — 75–80% less than brand-name Wegovy. Always verify the pharmacy holds NABP accreditation.
4. Insurance Appeals with Clinical Documentation:  If your insurer denies GLP-1 coverage, an appeal supported by your physician’s documentation of obesity-related comorbidities — sleep apnea, hypertension, type 2 diabetes, NAFLD — succeeds in the majority of cases. Require your provider to submit a Letter of Medical Necessity.
5. Medicare Part D 2025 Changes:  The Inflation Reduction Act caps Medicare Part D out-of-pocket drug costs at $2,100/year in 2025. If you have Medicare, work with your provider to identify a covered indication (type 2 diabetes or cardiovascular disease) that may make GLP-1 therapy eligible under your plan.

The 5 GLP-1 Medications Compared

The calculator covers five options. Here is a closer look at each to help you have a more informed conversation with your prescribing provider:

Wegovy (Semaglutide 2.4 mg) — Gold Standard for Weight Loss

Wegovy is FDA-approved specifically for chronic weight management in adults with obesity (BMI 30+) or overweight (BMI 27+) with a weight-related condition. The STEP 1 trial showed average body weight loss of 14.9% over 68 weeks. It carries the highest list price at $1,350/month but is covered by a growing number of commercial insurance plans with prior authorization.

Ozempic (Semaglutide 1–2 mg) — Best Insurance Coverage Odds

Ozempic is FDA-approved for type 2 diabetes, but is widely prescribed off-label for weight loss. At approximately $1,000/month list, it is slightly more affordable than Wegovy. Crucially, many insurance plans that refuse to cover Wegovy for obesity will cover Ozempic for a diabetes diagnosis — making it the strategically smarter choice for patients who have or are at risk of type 2 diabetes.

Mounjaro / Zepbound (Tirzepatide) — Highest Efficacy Available

Tirzepatide is a dual GIP/GLP-1 receptor agonist — the first of its class. The SURMOUNT-5 head-to-head trial showed tirzepatide producing roughly 20% body weight loss versus 14% for semaglutide. At $1,050/month list, it sits between Ozempic and Wegovy in price while delivering the strongest weight loss outcomes of any currently approved medication.

Rybelsus (Oral Semaglutide) — Best for Needle-Averse Patients

Rybelsus is the only oral GLP-1 medication available. At $850/month list, it is the lowest-cost brand-name option. Its oral bioavailability is approximately 1% versus 89% for injectable semaglutide, making it modestly less effective for weight loss but a meaningful option for patients who cannot or will not self-inject.

Compounded Semaglutide — Lowest Cost, Highest Risk Awareness Needed

Compounded semaglutide from licensed 503A/503B pharmacies typically costs $150–$250/month. It is not FDA-approved and does not undergo the same quality controls. As of early 2025, the FDA ended the semaglutide shortage designation, which may affect the legal landscape for compounded versions. Always obtain a prescription from a licensed provider and use only NABP-accredited compounding pharmacies.

Frequently Asked Questions About GLP-1 Costs

Q: How much does Ozempic cost without insurance in 2025?

A: The list price for Ozempic is approximately $900 to $1,000 per month without insurance. However, through GoodRx’s partnership with Novo Nordisk, first-time users can access Ozempic for $199/month for the first two fills. Compounded semaglutide from licensed telehealth providers is available for $150 to $300/month but is not FDA-approved.

Q: Does insurance cover Wegovy or Ozempic for weight loss?

A: Coverage varies significantly by plan. Ozempic is more commonly covered when prescribed for type 2 diabetes. Wegovy coverage for obesity alone is available on approximately 40 to 50% of commercial plans as of 2025, typically requiring prior authorization and documentation of failed lifestyle interventions. Medicare Part D does not currently cover weight-loss medications unless there is a qualifying diabetes or cardiovascular diagnosis.

Q: Is compounded semaglutide safe and legal?

A: Compounded semaglutide is legal when prescribed by a licensed provider and prepared by an FDA-registered 503A or 503B pharmacy, but it is not FDA-approved and bypasses the same manufacturing quality controls as brand-name medications. The FDA has issued warnings about some compounding pharmacies using incorrect semaglutide salt forms. If you choose this option, verify your pharmacy holds NABP accreditation and your prescription comes from a licensed provider.

Q: What is the cheapest GLP-1 medication available in 2025?

A: Compounded semaglutide is the most affordable option at $150 to $250/month from telehealth platforms. Among FDA-approved medications, Rybelsus at approximately $850/month list is typically the lowest-cost brand-name choice. Manufacturer savings programs can reduce Wegovy and Ozempic to $25 to $50/month for qualifying patients with commercial insurance.

Q: How long do you need to stay on a GLP-1 medication?

A: Clinical evidence indicates that most patients regain the majority of lost weight when they stop GLP-1 therapy. A STEP extension trial found patients who discontinued Wegovy after 68 weeks regained two-thirds of their weight loss within one year. Most healthcare providers now treat obesity with GLP-1 medications as a chronic condition requiring long-term — often indefinite — treatment, making affordability over years rather than months the critical financial consideration.