How do I get Ozempic approved?

Asked by: Mr. Brook Williamson  |  Last update: July 7, 2025
Score: 4.6/5 (33 votes)

You cannot buy Ozempic without a prescription. Health care professionals will prescribe Ozempic off-label to patients without diabetes if they are obese or overweight and the health care professional feels the prescription is appropriate and safe for them.

How do I get Ozempic authorized?

Make an appointment with a licensed provider, such as a primary care provider, nurse practitioner, physician's assistant, or endocrinologist. You may also be able to set up a telehealth visit with a licensed healthcare provider to discuss whether getting a prescription for Ozempic is right for you.

What are the requirements to qualify for Ozempic?

A Body Mass Index (BMI) of 30 or higher, or 27 or higher if the individual has weight-related health problems, is generally required for Ozempic qualification.

What to say to your doctor to get Ozempic?

Tell your provider why you're interested in Ozempic — a good doctor won't judge you or your desire to use a weight loss medication. They'll likely ask about your medical history, go over your eligibility, and consider anything that might make you a bad candidate for Ozempic.

Is it hard to get insurance to approve Ozempic?

One of the biggest hurdles with Ozempic is getting it covered by your insurance. Depending on your insurance plan, you might run into issues like formulary exclusions (where your plan doesn't cover Ozempic at all) or high copayments that make it difficult to afford.

Ozempic and Other Weight-Loss Drugs: How to Get Health Insurance to Pay | WSJ Your Money Briefing

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Why would insurance deny Ozempic?

That said, when Ozempic is prescribed off-label for weight loss, it is often not covered by insurance. Why? Because the Affordable Care Act doesn't mandate that health insurers cover obesity or overweight medications or surgeries.

How do I get Ozempic for $25 a month?

With the Ozempic® Savings Card, you may PAY AS LITTLE AS $25b for a 1-month, 2-month, or 3-month supply for up to 48 months. To receive offer, prescription must be for a 1-, 2-, or 3-month supply. Savings card offer applies to eligible commercially insured patients with coverage for Ozempic®.

Why won't my doctor prescribe Ozempic?

Due to this risk, doctors typically will not prescribe Ozempic if you have a personal or family history of medullary thyroid carcinoma (MTC). MTC is a type of thyroid cancer. They also typically won't prescribe the drug if you have multiple endocrine neoplasia syndrome type 2 (MEN2).

How do I get approved for Ozempic without diabetes?

Health care professionals will prescribe Ozempic off-label to patients without diabetes if they are obese or overweight and the health care professional feels the prescription is appropriate and safe for them. Contact us or book a consultation today for further guidance and information.

How long can you stay on Ozempic for weight loss?

Ozempic® is licensed as a treatment for type 2 diabetes, but is often prescribed off-label to help with weight loss. You can use Ozempic® for a maximum of two years for this purpose, but sometimes people stop using it sooner.

How overweight do you need to be to get Ozempic?

Candidates for Ozempic treatment for weight loss include individuals who have a BMI of 30 or higher and those with a BMI of 27 or higher as well as at least one weight-related condition, such as high blood pressure, high cholesterol, or type 2 diabetes. Ozempic is not the right weight loss approach for everyone.

How do I become a candidate for Ozempic?

Ozempic was originally developed for the treatment of diabetes, so those who have diabetes are eligible for Ozempic. If you don't have diabetes, the criteria to be able to get Ozempic involves determining your BMI, as those with a BMI of 30 or higher can receive Ozempic.

What is better weight loss with Ozempic or Wegovy?

Ozempic for weight loss: which is better? In a clinical trial that compared weekly use of semaglutide 1 mg and 2.4 mg, semaglutide 2.4 mg (the maximum dose of Wegovy) caused more weight loss than semaglutide 1 mg (the typical maintenance dose of Ozempic).

How can I get my doctor to prescribe me Ozempic?

To get a prescription for Ozempic, you'll need to make an appointment with a primary care physician (PCP) or another healthcare professional, such as an endocrinologist. A PCP is a doctor who focuses on helping you manage your overall health and is often the initial point of contact when you have a health concern.

How much does Ozempic cost at Walmart?

Ozempic at Walmart typically costs between $900 and $1,000 for a one-month supply, but this can vary. Several key factors influence the price range: Dosage: Different doses, like 0.25 mg or 1 mg, have different costs.

What diagnosis will cover Ozempic?

Most insurance companies will only cover Ozempic for its FDA-approved indication of treating type 2 diabetes. Some plans require additional criteria to be met, such as having tried other medications for diabetes first or having a certain severity of disease.

What does your A1C need to be for Ozempic?

A majority of adults taking Ozempic® reached an A1C under 7% and maintained it. In 2 different studies, adults lowered A1C, on average, by: Ozempic®: 1.4% (0.5 mg) and 1.6% (1 mg) vs placebo: 0.1% Ozempic®: 1.9% (1 mg) and 2.1% (2 mg), taking 1 or 2 diabetes pills.

Did Kelly Clarkson take Ozempic?

The singer and daytime talk show host revealed she's used a weight-loss drug to help her lose weight — but it's not Ozempic.

What is the closest thing to Ozempic over the counter?

Are there any over-the-counter (OTC) Ozempic alternatives? Medications that work like Ozempic are only available with a prescription. But you may see OTC supplements, such as berberine, being promoted as natural Ozempic alternatives for weight loss.

How much weight can you lose on Ozempic in 3 months?

After taking Ozempic® for three months

In a study of 175 people with a mean BMI of 41.3, the average weight loss in people who didn't have type 2 diabetes was 6.3% body weight after taking semaglutide for 12 weeks.

Why is my insurance not paying for Ozempic?

Your insurance may only cover Ozempic when prescribed to treat type 2 diabetes, its FDA-approved use. If this is the case, discuss other approved options with your healthcare provider - including approved GLP-1 weight-loss alternatives, such as Wegovy, Zepbound or Saxenda.

How much is a 30 day supply of semaglutide?

How Much Does Semaglutide Cost? The list price of a 30-day supply of branded versions of semaglutide is approximately $1,300. Pricing may vary depending on insurance plans and other discounts that may be available.

What is the downside of Ozempic?

Serious Side Effects

Symptoms include severe abdominal pain, nausea, and vomiting, and require immediate medical attention. Gallbladder Disease: Ozempic may increase the risk of gallbladder disease, including gallstones. Symptoms can include severe abdominal pain, fever, and jaundice.

What is cheaper than Ozempic?

Is there a cheaper substitute for Ozempic? Victoza (liraglutide) is another GLP-1 agonist that is similar to Ozempic but is less expensive. Other diabetes medications are also much less expensive, such as metformin, glipizide, or insulin.

What is the Ozempic face?

“Ozempic face” is a nonmedical term that refers to the gaunt appearance in the face that can happen when someone loses weight quickly, specifically while taking a GLP-1 drug such as Ozempic. The rapid loss of fat from the face is the cause of the hollowed cheeks and looser skin.