Does Part D cover semaglutide?

Asked by: Hassan Anderson  |  Last update: February 6, 2025
Score: 4.5/5 (18 votes)

In March 2024, Medicare announced that Part D plans could cover semaglutide (Wegovy; Novo Nordisk) for patients with elevated body mass index ([BMI]; BMI ≥ 27 kg/m²) and established cardiovascular disease (CVD), regardless of their diabetes status.

Does Medicare Part D cover semaglutide?

When Is Semaglutide Covered By Medicare? The only time that Medicare will offer to pay for semaglutide is if it's prescribed for type 2 diabetes treatment. The medication is part of the select anti-diabetes drugs that are covered under Medicare Part D (prescription drug coverage).

What diagnosis will cover semaglutide?

As many as 3.6 million people are most likely to qualify. This assumes plans only allow people with obesity who have already had a heart attack or stroke, or gotten diagnosed with coronary artery disease or angina, to get coverage for semaglutide injections, the study suggests.

Does Part D cover weight-loss drugs?

*Medicare Part D does not currently provide access to drugs to treat obesity alone; these enrollees may have been prescribed the medications for another condition such as type-2 diabetes or cardiovascular disease combined with obesity.

How to get insurance cover semaglutide?

Prior authorization. Prior authorization (PA) is required by some prescription insurance plans to cover this class of prescription products. The patient's health care provider will need to submit a form to the patient's insurance company to seek approval for the medication.

What does Medicare Part D Cover?

22 related questions found

How to get semaglutide for $25?

Save on Ozempic® (semaglutide) Injection

If you have commercial or private insurance, you may PAY AS LITTLE AS $25 for a 1-month, 2-month, or 3-month supply of Ozempic® for up to 48 months.

Who doesn t qualify for semaglutide?

Avoid semaglutide if you have: History of medullary thyroid cancer. History of gallbladder disease. History of pancreatitis.

Can you really get Wegovy for $25?

Yes, you can really get Wegovy for $25 if you meet certain criteria. Offered by Novo Nordisk, the Wegovy Savings Card awards qualified individuals the opportunity to get the medication for $25 per month (i.e. 28-day supply).

What is the strongest weight loss prescription pill?

Some of the strongest weight loss pills available today include: Naltrexone/bupropion (brand name Contrave) Phentermine/topiramate (brand name Qsymia) Orlistat (brand names Xenical, Alli)

How do you get approved for semaglutide?

Generally, individuals with a body mass index (BMI) of 30 or higher or a BMI of 27 or higher with at least one weight-related health condition, such as type 2 diabetes, high blood pressure, or high cholesterol, may qualify for Semaglutide treatment.

What happens if you take semaglutide and aren t diabetic?

Conclusion. Among individuals with obesity without type 2 diabetes, subcutaneous semaglutide is effective for weight loss with an 11.85% reduction from baseline compared to placebo. This supports the use of semaglutide for weight management in obesity.

How much does semaglutide cost per month?

by Drugs.com

Semaglutide (Wegovy) injection for weight loss treatment costs about $1430 per month if you are paying cash.

What is the cheapest way to get semaglutide?

How to Reduce the Cost of Semaglutide
  • Look for coupons and discount cards.
  • Get 90-day prescriptions (they can be cheaper than buying a 30-day supply)
  • Consider compounded semaglutide.
  • Apply for manufacturer savings programs.

Which insurance covers Wegovy?

Most major insurance plans cover Wegovy, including Blue Cross Blue Shield, Aetna, Cigna, and United Health Care, but coverage may vary with each plan. Benefits offered by employer plans also vary, and coverage is often based on what employers are willing to cover.

Is semaglutide the same as Ozempic?

Ozempic, known generically as semaglutide, was approved in 2017 by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for use in adults with type 2 diabetes. Ozempic is a weekly injection that helps lower blood sugar by helping the pancreas make more insulin.

How do I know if my insurance covers semaglutide?

How do I know if Wegovy (semaglutide) is covered by my insurance? In order to know if a Wegovy® prescription is covered by your insurance, contact your insurance company using the phone number on the back of your insurance card, or look up your plan's drug formulary.

Does Medicare cover semaglutide for weight loss?

In March 2024, Medicare announced that Part D plans could cover semaglutide (Wegovy; Novo Nordisk) for patients with elevated body mass index ([BMI]; BMI ≥ 27 kg/m²) and established cardiovascular disease (CVD), regardless of their diabetes status.

Is Medicare going to pay for Wegovy in 2024?

Do Medicare prescription drug plans cover Wegovy? No. In general, Medicare prescription drug plans (Part D) do not cover this drug.

How are people getting Wegovy for free?

Once you have a prescription, you can get Wegovy for free or at a discount in one of the following ways.
  1. Novo Nordisk's Wegovy Savings Card program. ...
  2. Prescription discount cards. ...
  3. Insurance coverage options for Wegovy. ...
  4. 90-day or mail-order refills. ...
  5. HSAs and FSAs. ...
  6. Government insurance programs for accessing Wegovy for free.

How much weight can you lose in 3 months with Wegovy?

Wegovy patients tend to lose around 4% body weight after two months, 6% after three months, and 8% after four months. After 17 months you can expect to lose around 15% of your starting body weight.

How fast can I lose 20 lbs on semaglutide?

How fast you can lose 20 lbs on semaglutide (Wegovy) depends on your starting weight and other factors. If you weigh 232 lbs at the start of Wegovy treatment, you can expect to lose 20 lbs in around 16-20 weeks (4-5 months).

How to get insurance to pay for semaglutide?

Prior authorizations (PAs) are required by some prescription insurance plans to cover certain medications. Your health care provider will need to submit a form to your insurance company to seek approval for Wegovy®. You can reach out to your health care provider's office and request that they initiate a PA.

Why do I feel so bad on semaglutide?

Because semaglutide slows down the digestive process, it can cause gastrointestinal side effects that you might not be used to. Some of the most common side effects of semaglutide include: Nausea. Vomiting.