Does Medicare cover Ozempic?

Yes, for type 2 diabetes and related FDA-approved uses (cardiovascular risk reduction in T2D + established CV disease, slowing kidney disease progression in T2D + CKD). You must have Medicare Part D, and your out-of-pocket cost depends on your plan's deductible, copay tier, and coverage stage. Medicare does NOT cover Ozempic when prescribed off-label for weight loss. Most-Favored-Nation pricing framework rolling out mid-2026 is expected to cap Medicare Part D copays for Ozempic around $50/month for eligible beneficiaries.

Does Medicaid cover Ozempic?

Coverage varies by state. Under the Medicaid Drug Rebate Program, state Medicaid must cover most of Ozempic's cost when prescribed for its FDA-approved uses. Prior authorization is typically required. Medicaid generally does NOT cover Ozempic when prescribed off-label for weight loss. Contact your state Medicaid agency for specifics.

Why is Ozempic so expensive without insurance?

List price is $1,027.51 per 28-day supply, with pharmacy retail often $1,200-$1,475. The high price reflects the extensive R&D behind GLP-1 drugs, lack of generic competition until the 2031 patent expiration, and high demand. GoodRx, SingleCare, and other discount cards can reduce retail cash pricing (~$859-$937 at some pharmacies) but are often more expensive than Novo's own NovoCare Pharmacy self-pay rate ($199 intro, $349 standard, $499 for 2 mg).

Ozempic · Semaglutide · Type 2 Diabetes

Ozempic Cost 2026: What You'll Actually Pay

List price is $1,027.51 per 28-day supply, the same for every dose strength. Actual cost depends on insurance, program eligibility, and which dose you're on.

BBB AccreditedMedically reviewed byDr. Golsa Gholampour, MDLast verified2026-04-19

See all coupons Wegovy cost (for weight loss)

Quick answer

Ozempic list price is $1,027.51 per 28-day supply, uniform across all doses (0.25, 0.5, 1, and 2 mg). Commercial insurance covering Ozempic for type 2 diabetes brings the Savings Card rate as low as $25 per month. Uninsured patients new to the NovoCare Pharmacy offer pay $199 per month for the first 2 fills of 0.25 or 0.5 mg (valid through June 30, 2026), then $349 per month for 0.25 to 1 mg or $499 per month for 2 mg. Federal insurance plans (Medicare, Medicaid, Tricare, VA) are excluded from the Savings Card, though Medicare Part D generally covers Ozempic for type 2 diabetes with prior authorization. The Novo Nordisk Patient Assistance Program offers free Ozempic for income-qualified uninsured patients. Patients seeking semaglutide for weight loss should use Wegovy, which has better insurance coverage and a $149 per month oral pill option.

Section 1

What you pay, by scenario

The four common payment paths. Every price assumes the prescription is for FDA-approved use (type 2 diabetes, CV risk reduction in T2D, or CKD progression in T2D).

Commercial insurance + Ozempic covered for T2D

$25/mo

Savings Card applies at retail pharmacy. Maximum savings $100 per 1-month, $200 per 2-month, or $300 per 3-month supply. FDA-approved use only.

Commercial insurance + not covered

$199 to $499/mo

NovoCare Pharmacy self-pay. $199 for first 2 fills of 0.25 or 0.5 mg (ends June 30, 2026), then $349/mo for 0.25-1 mg or $499/mo for 2 mg.

Medicare / Medicaid (T2D)

Copay varies

Federal plans excluded from the Savings Card. Medicare Part D generally covers Ozempic for type 2 diabetes. Medicaid varies by state. MFN framework expected to cap Medicare copays at approximately $50/mo mid-2026.

Uninsured, low income

Free (if eligible)

Novo Nordisk Patient Assistance Program offers free Ozempic for income-qualified uninsured patients. Apply at novocare.com. No registration or monthly fees.

⏰ Expiring promotion

NovoCare new-patient intro at $199/mo ends June 30, 2026

Uninsured patients new to the NovoCare Pharmacy offer can pay $199 per month for the first 2 fills of 0.25 mg or 0.5 mg Ozempic through June 30, 2026. After 2 fills or the end date (whichever comes first), pricing reverts to $349 per month. The 1 mg and 2 mg doses are not eligible for the $199 intro rate.

Section 2

Ozempic self-pay price by dose

Cash-pay pricing through NovoCare Pharmacy. List price is uniform across all doses; the self-pay rate tiers by dose and new-patient status.

Section 3

Recent pricing news

Self-pay program launch, federal pricing framework, and patent timeline.

November 17, 2025
Uninsured / self-pay introductory pricing launched
Novo Nordisk launched a limited-time introductory offer for uninsured and self-pay patients: $199/month for the first 2 monthly fills of Ozempic 0.25 mg or 0.5 mg. Valid November 17, 2025 through June 30, 2026. After the intro period, pricing reverts to $349/month for 0.25-1 mg or $499/month for 2 mg.
November 6, 2025
In progress
Most-Favored-Nation (MFN) pricing framework announced
Federal framework tying U.S. GLP-1 prices to lowest prices paid in comparable countries. Impact for Ozempic: Medicare Part D enrollees with type 2 diabetes coverage may see copays capped at approximately $50/month for eligible beneficiaries. Implementation in progress through 2026.
Status: Announced, implementation in progress.
Invalid Date
In progress
Patent expiration (generic semaglutide eligibility)
Ozempic is patent-protected through 2031 per Novo Nordisk disclosures (per SingleCare reporting). Generic semaglutide cannot launch for Ozempic until the patent expires. No generic currently available or imminent.
Status: Anticipated. Monitor FDA approvals annually.

Section 4

Frequently asked

Cost questions patients ask most. Full FAQ on the coupon page.

For commercially insured patients whose plan covers Ozempic for type 2 diabetes, the Savings Card at $25/month is the lowest path. For uninsured or self-pay patients, the new-patient introductory rate is $199/month for the first 2 fills of 0.25 mg or 0.5 mg (through June 30, 2026). After that, $349/month for 0.25-1 mg doses or $499/month for 2 mg. For low-income patients without insurance, the Novo Nordisk Patient Assistance Program offers Ozempic free of charge if you qualify based on household income.

Section 5