How Much Is Zepbound Without Insurance

Zepbound KwikPens are an FDA-approved prescription medication for chronic weight management. Without insurance, its high cost can be a barrier for many people seeking treatment.

In the US, where over 36% of adults are classified as obese, access to effective, affordable weight-loss options is increasingly urgent. Yet, in 2025, only 13% of commercially insured patients have full, unrestricted Zepbound coverage, and the share of people with no coverage increased by 14%, affecting an additional 4.9 million individuals.

So how much is Zepbound without insurance, and can you pay less? This guide has the answers.

How Much Is Zepbound Without Insurance?

According to Eli Lilly’s pricing information, the list price for a one-month supply (28 days, 4 pens) of Zepbound is $1,086.37. However, Zepbound’s price per month depends on where you get your prescription filled.

Here are some popular pharmacies in the US that sell Zepbound:

If you stay on Zepbound for a full year, the cost can add up quickly. Here’s what you might expect to pay annually:

• • At Eli Lilly’s list price of $1,086.37 per month, you’d spend approximately $13,000 for 12 months.

• • At the lower end, getting Zepbound from CVS at $1,250 per month would total approximately $15,000 per year.

• • At the higher end, purchasing it from Walgreens at $1,284 per month would cost about $15,400 annually.

Factors That Influence the Cost of Zepbound

Several factors impact how much Zepbound is out of pocket:

How To Get Zepbound Without Insurance

There are several cost-saving strategies that can help make Zepbound more affordable:

1. Canadian Pharmacies

Pharma Giant, an online Canadian pharmacy partner, offers a more affordable way and a convenient solution to get Zepbound for you.

At Pharma Giant, Zepbound KwikPens start at $499.97, which is about 50% off the typical retail price in the US. You can save even more with coupons, bulk orders, and as a new customer, you’ll get an extra 10% off with the code PGSAVE10.

Here’s a detailed look at the pricing and savings:

Note: In Canada, Zepbound is supplied as the Zepbound KwikPen, a multi-dose pen that contains four weekly doses, so you only need one pen per month. While it’s the same medication from Eli Lilly, the device differs from the US version, which uses single-dose pens. With the KwikPen, you simply attach a new needle before each injection and discard the pen after four uses. For updated details, visit Eli Lilly’s official Canadian website.

2. LillyDirect Self-Pay Vial Program

With the Zepbound Self-Pay Journey Program, you can purchase single-dose vials without using insurance at a fixed price. If you’re starting on the 2.5 mg dose, a 4-count package (enough for 28 days) costs $349. For higher doses of 5 mg, 7.5 mg, 10 mg, 12.5 mg, or 15 mg, you’ll pay $499 for the same 28-day supply.

To maintain the $499 purchase offer on higher doses, you must refill within 45 days of your previous delivery date. If you go past the 45-day window, the discounted price won’t apply to your next order.

This program is open to both new and existing patients. Keep in mind that taxes and fees may be added, and Eli Lilly can change or end the offer at any time without notice.

3. Pharmacy Discount Cards

Programs like GoodRx, SingleCare, and WellRx offer price reductions on prescription medications. Visit the discount card website and search for Zepbound to compare local pharmacy prices. Once you find the best deal, show the coupon to your pharmacist to receive an instant discount.

How Much Is Zepbound With Insurance?

Zepbound’s cost with insurance can vary based on your coverage. Here’s how different types of insurance handle it:

Private Insurance (Employer-Sponsored & Marketplace Plans)

Coverage for Zepbound under commercial insurance in the US varies widely. No insurer covers it for all plans. As of July 1, 2025, CVS Caremark removed Zepbound from its preferred obesity drug list for certain plans. Anecdotal reports suggest that some insurers, such as UnitedHealth or Cigna, may cover it, but coverage still depends on the specifics of each plan.

If your insurance does cover Zepbound, you may pay as little as $25 for a one-month supply (28 days, 4 pens). If your plan does not cover it, manufacturer savings can lower the cost to about $650 per month (up to $469 off the retail price).

Coverage is based on your plan, not just your insurance provider. For example, someone with Aetna may have coverage if their employer includes nonformulary drugs, while another Aetna member may have none.

Medicare Coverage

Medicare does not cover Zepbound when prescribed solely for weight loss. This exclusion comes from the Medicare Modernization Act of 2003.

In December 2024, the FDA approved Zepbound for treating moderate-to-severe obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) in adults with obesity. Following this, CNBC reported in January 2025 that Medicare drug plans can now cover Zepbound for OSA.

However, Zepbound is often placed in a specialty or non-preferred brand tier due to its high price. Data shows coinsurance for specialty-tier drugs usually ranges from 25% to 33%.

So with Zepbound’s current list price at $1,086.37 for a 28-day supply, this is how it might apply to you:

• • 25% coinsurance is ~$271.59/month
  • 33% coinsurance is ~$358.50/month

At these rates, you would hit Medicare’s $2,000 annual cap on out-of-pocket costs in roughly six to eight months. After that, Zepbound and any other covered brand-name drugs would cost you nothing for the rest of the year.

To get more precise numbers, you can:

• • Use the Medicare Plan Finder tool

• • • • Visit Medicare.gov and input your ZIP code
      • Review available Part D standalone plans or Medicare Advantage plans with drug coverage

• • Search within plan formularies

• • • • Look for “Zepbound” under the drugs list
      • Check its tier (e.g., Tier 3 preferred brand, Tier 5 specialty) and whether it’s covered for sleep apnea

• • Contact the customer service, ask:

• • • • Is Zepbound for OSA covered under this plan?
      • What is the tier, and what copay or coinsurance applies?
      • Does it require prior authorization?
      • How does cost sharing interact with the $2,000 annual brand-drug out-of-pocket cap?

Medicaid Coverage

Medicaid coverage varies by state. Some states may cover Zepbound under their preferred drug list, while others may require proof of medical necessity before approval. According to the Kaiser Family Foundation, 13 state Medicaid programs cover GLP-1s for obesity treatment. These states include:

1. California
2. Delaware
3. Kansas
4. Massachusetts
5. Michigan
6. Minnesota
7. Mississippi
8. New Hampshire
9. North Carolina
10. Pennsylvania
11. Rhode Island
12. Virginia
13. Wisconsin

However, you’ll likely need to meet certain requirements before getting approved, such as:

• • Prior Authorization: 11 out of 13 states require your doctor to get approval before prescribing the medication. No prior authorization needed in California (Medi-Cal).

• • BMI Requirements: 11 out of 13 states require you to have a BMI of 30+ (or 27+ with a weight-related condition).

• • Limited Drug Options: While 11 states cover all three GLP-1 weight-loss drugs (Zepbound, Saxenda, and Wegovy), others may limit which ones they approve.

Given the variability in coverage, your best option is to check with your state’s Medicaid program to see if it’s covered and what requirements you need to meet.

TRICARE (Military Insurance)

TRICARE, the health insurance program for US military members, veterans, and their families, covers obesity treatment under TRICARE Prime and TRICARE Select, even if obesity is the only or primary condition being treated.

Contact TRICARE to confirm coverage details if you or a family member are TRICARE beneficiaries. If covered, you can expect to pay a $38 copay for a 90-day supply through the TRICARE Pharmacy Home Delivery program.

Proposed Coverage Pilot

A huge change is on the table, but it hasn’t started yet.

The current administration has announced a five-year pilot program through the CMS Innovation Center that would let Medicaid and Medicare Part D plans optionally cover GLP-1 weight-loss drugs.

• • Start dates: April 2026 for Medicaid, January 2027 for Medicare
  • Participation: Voluntary for both insurers and states

If implemented widely, it could significantly expand access, but coverage is not guaranteed and depends on plan participation.

Cost of Zepbound vs. Other Weight Loss Medications

Zepbound’s cost without insurance can be expensive. If you’re considering alternative options, here’s how it compares to other weight loss medications:

Zepbound is one of the most expensive weight loss medications, but a 2024 study has shown it leads to greater weight loss than older treatments.

• • 76% more likely to lose 5% of their weight
  • 2.5 times more likely to lose 10% of their weight
  • 3.2 times more likely to lose 15% of their weight

In terms of cost-effectiveness, US health economics often measures it using the quality-adjusted life year (QALY), which combines both the length and quality of life gained from a treatment. A common benchmark is $100,000 per QALY, which means that if a treatment costs less than this amount for each quality-adjusted life year it provides, it’s generally considered “worth the money.”

According to a 2025 analysis, Zepbound costs approximately $197,000 per QALY, while Wegovy costs roughly $468,000 per QALY. For these drugs to be cost-effective by US standards, Zepbound would need a 30% price reduction and Wegovy an 82% cut to meet the typical $100,000 per QALY benchmark.

Final Thoughts

Zepbound is expensive without insurance, often over $1,200 a month and more than $15,000 a year. Costs vary based on your pharmacy, dose, location, and access to discounts like LillyDirect’s Self-Pay Journey.

Insurance coverage is inconsistent. Some plans cover it for as little as $25 a month, while others offer no coverage at all. If you’re uninsured, Canadian pharmacies, manufacturer coupons, and discount cards can cut costs by more than half. Zepbound works better than many alternatives, but you’ll need to secure a price you can sustain long term.

Frequently Asked Questions

Sources

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Obesity Action Coalition. (2019, November 13). Review your health insurance plan – November Action – Obesity Action Coalition. https://www.obesityaction.org/action-center/review-your-health-insurance-plan-november-action

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Constantino, A. K. (2025, January 9). Medicare can now cover Eli Lilly’s Zepbound for sleep apnea, Health Department agency says. CNBC. https://www.cnbc.com/2025/01/08/medicare-can-now-cover-eli-lillys-zepbound-for-sleep-apnea-cms-says.html

Cubanski, J., Neuman, T., Sroczynski, N., & Damico, A. (2024, April 25). A New Use for Wegovy Opens the Door to Medicare Coverage for Millions of People with Obesity | KFF. KFF. https://www.kff.org/medicare/issue-brief/a-new-use-for-wegovy-opens-the-door-to-medicare-coverage-for-millions-of-people-with-obesity/

Williams, E., Rudowitz, R., & Bell, C. (2024, November 4). Medicaid coverage of and spending on GLP-1s | KFF. KFF. https://www.kff.org/medicaid/issue-brief/medicaid-coverage-of-and-spending-on-glp-1s/

Reuters. (2025, August 1). US plans to test Medicare, Medicaid coverage for weight-loss drugs, Washington Post reports. Reuters. https://www.reuters.com/business/healthcare-pharmaceuticals/us-plans-test-medicare-medicaid-coverage-weight-loss-drugs-washington-post-2025-08-01/

Establishment of TRICARE Select and other TRICARE reforms. (2017, September 29). Federal Register. https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2017/09/29/2017-20392/establishment-of-tricare-select-and-other-tricare-reforms

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Rodriguez, P. J., Cartwright, B. M. G., Gratzl, S., Brar, R., Baker, C., Gluckman, T. J., & Stucky, N. L. (2024). Semaglutide vs Tirzepatide for Weight Loss in Adults With Overweight or Obesity. JAMA Internal Medicine, 184(9), 1056. https://doi.org/10.1001/jamainternmed.2024.2525

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