How do I get Ozempic for $25 a month? The short answer is you need commercial health insurance that covers Ozempic and then use the manufacturer’s savings card. Without insurance, you will pay full price, which runs anywhere from $130 to over $1,000 per month depending on where you live.
Ozempic costs vary wildly across the world. In the United States, the retail price sits around $1,000 to $1,300 per month without insurance. In Australia, patients with type 2 diabetes pay just $31.60 through the PBS (Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme), while private prescriptions cost $130 to $200 per month. In the UK, NHS patients with type 2 diabetes pay nothing or just £9.90 per prescription. Canada sits in the middle at around $200 to $300 per month.
This guide breaks down every way to lower your Ozempic costs based on your location and insurance status.
What is the Ozempic Savings Card and how does it work?
The Ozempic Savings Card is a program from Novo Nordisk, the company that makes Ozempic. If you have commercial health insurance that covers Ozempic, you can pay as little as $25 for a one month, two month, or three month supply. The card saves you up to $100 per month and stays active for up to 48 months.
Here is what you need to qualify for the $25 price:
- You must have commercial or private health insurance
- Your insurance must cover Ozempic
- You cannot be on Medicare, Medicaid, or any government insurance program
- You need a valid prescription from your doctor
The savings card works at the pharmacy counter. Your pharmacist processes your insurance first, then applies the savings card to reduce your remaining copay. If your copay is $125 after insurance, the card knocks off $100 and you pay $25.
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Download FreeWhat if I do not have insurance in the USA?
Uninsured patients in the United States face the highest prices in the world. The average retail cost runs $1,000 to $1,300 per month. Novo Nordisk offers some help through their NovoCare Pharmacy program. New patients pay $199 per month for the first two fills (0.25mg and 0.5mg doses). After that, ongoing fills cost $349 per month for most doses and $499 per month for the 2mg dose.
You can also try prescription discount services like GoodRx. These coupons drop the price to around $800 to $900 per month, which still hurts but beats full retail price.
Low income patients may qualify for the Novo Nordisk Patient Assistance Program (PAP). This program provides free Ozempic to qualifying individuals who meet these requirements:
- US citizen or legal resident
- Household income at or below 400% of the federal poverty level
- No insurance coverage for Ozempic
- Valid prescription for type 2 diabetes
The PAP does not cover weight loss prescriptions. You must have a type 2 diabetes diagnosis.
How much does Ozempic cost in Australia?
Australian patients face a two tier pricing system. The cost depends entirely on why your doctor prescribes it.
For type 2 diabetes (PBS subsidised): The government subsidises Ozempic through the PBS. General patients pay $31.60 per prescription. Concession card holders pay just $7.70. Your doctor must write an “Authority Required” prescription, which means you need to meet specific criteria for blood sugar control.
For weight loss (private prescription): The PBS does not cover Ozempic for weight loss. This is considered “off label” use. Private prescription costs range from $130 to $200 per month depending on the pharmacy and dosage. The TGA (Therapeutic Goods Administration) introduced new regulations in October 2024 that restrict new private prescriptions for Ozempic. Patients who started before October 2024 can continue their off label prescriptions.
Supply shortages have plagued Australia for years. The TGA declared the shortage resolved in late 2024, but availability still varies by pharmacy. Call ahead before visiting.
How do I get cheap Ozempic in the UK?
The UK system works differently again. NHS patients with type 2 diabetes can get Ozempic free of charge if they qualify for free prescriptions. If you normally pay for prescriptions, you pay the standard NHS charge of £9.90 per item.
The NHS does not prescribe Ozempic for weight loss. For weight management, the NHS offers Wegovy instead (same active ingredient, higher dose). Wegovy requires referral to a specialist weight management service and you must meet strict BMI criteria.
Private prescriptions in the UK cost between £130 and £200 per month. Some online clinics offer pricing around £34 per week as part of treatment packages.
What are the alternatives to Ozempic?
Several other medications work through similar mechanisms. Prices and availability vary by country.
Wegovy (semaglutide 2.4mg) contains the same active ingredient as Ozempic but at a higher dose specifically approved for weight loss. In Australia, Wegovy costs around $260 to $645 per month with no PBS subsidy. In the UK, it is available on the NHS through specialist weight management services.
Mounjaro (tirzepatide) works on two hormone receptors instead of one and clinical trials show it produces greater weight loss than Ozempic. In Australia, Mounjaro costs $285 to $719 per month with no PBS coverage. The UK NHS recently approved Mounjaro for weight loss with a phased rollout over three years.
Saxenda (liraglutide) requires daily injections rather than weekly. Costs run around $400 per month in Australia. It is approved for weight management.
Rybelsus is an oral semaglutide tablet you take daily. It offers a needle free option but produces less weight loss than injectable versions.
Can I get Ozempic covered by Medicare?
Medicare Part D covers Ozempic for type 2 diabetes, heart disease risk reduction, and chronic kidney disease. It does not cover weight loss use. Copays typically range from $10 to $50 per month depending on your specific plan and coverage phase.
The 2025 Inflation Reduction Act caps annual out of pocket drug costs at $2,000 for Medicare Part D enrollees. This helps heavy users of expensive medications.
Low income Medicare patients may qualify for the Extra Help program (also called Low Income Subsidy). This program reduces your Ozempic copay to $11.20 or less per fill. You can apply through the Social Security Administration website or by calling 1-800-772-1213.
What questions should I ask my doctor about Ozempic costs?
Bring these questions to your next appointment:
- Does my insurance cover Ozempic and what will my copay be?
- Do I qualify for PBS subsidy (Australia) or NHS coverage (UK)?
- Can you write a 90 day prescription to reduce costs?
- Am I eligible for any patient assistance programs?
- Should I consider alternatives that might cost less?
Your doctor can also write letters of medical necessity for HSA or FSA reimbursement in the USA. These tax advantaged accounts let you pay with pre tax dollars, effectively saving 20 to 30 percent.
FAQ
Can I get Ozempic for weight loss on the PBS in Australia?
No. The PBS only subsidises Ozempic for type 2 diabetes. Weight loss prescriptions require a private script costing $130 to $200 per month.
Does the $25 savings card work with Medicare?
No. Government insurance beneficiaries including Medicare and Medicaid cannot use manufacturer savings cards.
How long can I use the Ozempic Savings Card?
The card remains active for up to 48 months as long as you maintain eligible commercial insurance coverage.
Is compounded semaglutide cheaper?
In Australia, compounded semaglutide is now banned as of October 2024. In the USA, compounded versions exist but carry safety concerns and the FDA recommends only using FDA approved products.
Will Ozempic ever get cheaper?
Generic semaglutide will not be available until the patent expires around 2031 to 2036 depending on the country. Some countries are negotiating for PBS or NHS coverage expansion which would reduce patient costs.
What is the cheapest way to get Ozempic in Australia?
Get diagnosed and treated for type 2 diabetes. PBS subsidised prescriptions cost $31.60 per script. Without a diabetes diagnosis, you pay full private prescription price of $130 to $200 per month.
Can I buy Ozempic from overseas to save money?
Importing prescription medications without proper approval is illegal in most countries and potentially unsafe. The TGA and FDA warn against purchasing from unauthorised online suppliers as these products may be counterfeit.
Does Ozempic cost the same at all pharmacies?
No. Prices vary between pharmacies, especially for private prescriptions. Call multiple pharmacies to compare before filling your script. Some online pharmacies and mail order services offer lower prices.
Weight loss medications work best as part of a comprehensive approach – explore other health optimisation strategies like what Elon Musk used to regrow his hair. If you’re combining Ozempic with exercise and noticing unexpected body changes, learn why your waist might be getting wider from working out.