GLP-1 Manufacturer Savings Cards Compared
How the savings cards work for Wegovy, Zepbound, Mounjaro, and Ozempic — what they reduce your copay to, who qualifies, why government insurance is excluded, and how they differ from NovoCare and LillyDirect self-pay programs. Updated May 2026.
Side-by-side
| Drug | Manufacturer | Typical card copay |
|---|---|---|
| Wegovy | Novo Nordisk | $0–$25/mo |
| Zepbound | Eli Lilly | ~$25/mo |
| Ozempic | Novo Nordisk | $25/mo |
| Mounjaro | Eli Lilly | $25/mo |
All cards exclude government insurance (Medicare, Medicaid, Tricare, VA) by federal anti-kickback rules. All require an active commercial-insurance prescription benefit.
Wegovy Savings Card (Novo Nordisk)
Novo Nordisk's Wegovy Savings Card reduces the monthly copay to as little as $0 for patients with commercial insurance that covers Wegovy. The exact amount depends on the plan's formulary tier and prior-authorization status. Apply at novocare.com.
If your insurance does not cover Wegovy, the Savings Card cannot help — switch to NovoCare self-pay instead.
Zepbound Savings Card (Eli Lilly)
Eli Lilly's Zepbound Savings Card typically reduces copay to ~$25/month for covered patients. Apply at zepbound.lilly.com/coverage.
Without commercial coverage, the alternative is LillyDirect self-pay vials (~$349/month for the lower doses).
Ozempic Savings Card (Novo Nordisk) — diabetes indication
Ozempic's card reduces copay to $25/month for patients with type 2 diabetes and commercial insurance covering Ozempic. Use for the diabetes indication; cannot be used for off-label weight loss because the card is tied to the prescription indication on file with the pharmacy.
Mounjaro Savings Card (Eli Lilly) — diabetes indication
Mounjaro's card mirrors Ozempic's — typical $25/month copay for covered type-2-diabetes patients. Cannot be used for off-label weight loss. Patients who want tirzepatide for weight loss should use Zepbound (FDA-approved indication) and its respective Savings Card or LillyDirect self-pay vials.
Why government insurance is excluded
The Medicare/Medicaid Anti-Kickback Statute (42 U.S.C. § 1320a-7b) prohibits drug manufacturers from providing remuneration that could induce a federally-reimbursed purchase. The HHS Office of the Inspector General has consistently interpreted manufacturer copay cards as such remuneration when applied to federal beneficiaries. As a result, every drug manufacturer Savings Card — not just GLP-1s — excludes Medicare, Medicaid, Tricare, VA, IHS, and other federal program beneficiaries. This is a regulatory constraint on the manufacturers, not a policy choice.
If you are on Medicare or Medicaid, the relevant alternatives are: Medicare Part D appeals (rare for weight-loss drugs since Medicare statutorily excludes weight-loss drugs from Part D — see Section 1860D-2(e)(2)(A) of the Social Security Act), state Medicaid PDL appeals, or manufacturer self-pay (NovoCare / LillyDirect), which are not subject to the same anti-kickback constraints.
Frequently asked questions
What is a GLP-1 manufacturer Savings Card?
A Savings Card is a copay-reduction program offered directly by a drug manufacturer. It does not change the drug's list price; it shifts a portion of the patient's out-of-pocket copay back to the manufacturer. For GLP-1 drugs, savings cards are run by Novo Nordisk (Wegovy, Ozempic, Saxenda) and Eli Lilly (Zepbound, Mounjaro). Most cards reduce a covered patient's copay to $0–$25 per month for some defined number of fills.
Why are government insurance plans excluded?
Federal anti-kickback statutes (specifically the Medicare/Medicaid Anti-Kickback Statute, 42 U.S.C. § 1320a-7b) prohibit drug manufacturers from offering financial incentives that could induce purchases reimbursed by federal healthcare programs. Manufacturer copay cards are interpreted as such inducements. As a result, every GLP-1 Savings Card excludes Medicare, Medicaid, Tricare, VA, and other federal beneficiaries. This is consistent across the industry, not unique to any one drug.
Do I need insurance to use a Savings Card?
Yes — manufacturer Savings Cards reduce a copay, so they require an insurance plan that covers the drug. If your insurance does not cover Wegovy or Zepbound, the Savings Card cannot help. Patients without coverage should look at NovoCare (for Wegovy) or LillyDirect self-pay (for Zepbound) instead, which are different programs with different mechanics — see /wegovy-without-insurance and /zepbound-without-insurance.
How is a Savings Card different from NovoCare or LillyDirect?
A Savings Card reduces what you pay on top of insurance coverage, typically capping the copay at $0–$25/month. NovoCare (Novo Nordisk) and LillyDirect (Eli Lilly) are direct manufacturer self-pay programs for patients who do not have insurance coverage. They are mutually exclusive in practice: the Savings Card requires insurance; NovoCare/LillyDirect do not. Reference self-pay prices as of May 2026: Wegovy via NovoCare ~$499/mo, Zepbound via LillyDirect vials ~$349/mo (lower doses).
Can I stack a Savings Card with a high-deductible health plan (HDHP)?
Generally no, but the rules are nuanced. A 2018 IRS notice and subsequent guidance allow some HDHP Savings Card use without disqualifying the plan's HSA eligibility, but only when the drug is on the IRS preventive-care safe harbor list. GLP-1s for weight loss are not on that list. Confirm with your HSA administrator before relying on a Savings Card with an HDHP.
Are there limits to how long I can use a Savings Card?
Most cards have annual maximum savings caps and term limits (often 12-24 months from first use). The Wegovy and Zepbound cards each cap savings at thousands of dollars per year — high enough that most patients hit the time limit before the dollar cap. After the term ends, you reapply or switch to manufacturer self-pay.
Where do I actually apply for these cards?
Wegovy: novocare.com/obesity/products/wegovy/savings-card.html. Zepbound: zepbound.lilly.com/coverage. Ozempic (diabetes only): novocare.com/diabetes/products/ozempic/savings-card.html. Mounjaro (diabetes only): mounjaro.lilly.com/coverage. Apply directly with the manufacturer; do not pay any third party that claims to "obtain" a savings card for you.
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