Live tracker · Last verified July 31, 2026 · re-checked monthly
GLP-1 Prices in 2026: Live Cost & Access Tracker
As of July 31, 2026, US GLP-1 prices have four main brand-name paths: insurance (cheapest if covered), the Medicare GLP-1 Bridge ($50/month for eligible beneficiaries), manufacturer-direct self-pay (NovoCare for Wegovy ~$349/month; LillyDirect for Zepbound $299–$449/month by dose), and TrumpRx (injectables launched ~$350/month). Compounded options were cheapest but are being restricted. Prices change monthly — always verify before you buy.
Educational content, not medical or financial advice, and not a price quote. Confirm every figure with the official source on the day you buy. Run your own all-in number in our cost calculator.
Medicare GLP-1 Bridge — $50/month, if you qualify
The clearest good news of 2026 for eligible seniors. The Medicare GLP-1 Bridge Program runs July 1, 2026 → December 31, 2027 and offers a flat $50/month copay for weight-management use of Wegovy (and a covered Zepbound formulation), for beneficiaries who meet a documented BMI plus clinical criteria (such as cardiovascular disease, hypertension, chronic kidney disease, or pre-diabetes) through prior authorization.
- • It is a time-limited demonstration, not permanent Medicare weight-loss coverage.
- • The $50 sits outside the Part D benefit — it does not count toward your deductible or out-of-pocket maximum, and Extra Help/LIS cannot be applied.
- • Roughly 3.8 million beneficiaries are estimated eligible (KFF).
Verify eligibility and covered products at CMS.gov.
Manufacturer-direct self-pay (no insurance)
Buying straight from the makers is now often the most predictable cash route.
Zepbound (tirzepatide) — LillyDirect self-pay vials
Verified from Lilly's official page. "Month" = a 28-day supply; the prices below assume you refill within 45 days, or regular (higher) prices apply.
| Dose | Self-pay / month |
|---|---|
| 2.5 mg | $299 |
| 5 mg | $399 |
| 7.5 mg | $449 |
| 10 mg | $449 |
| 12.5 mg | $449 |
| 15 mg | $449 |
Miss the 45-day refill window and regular prices apply (higher — e.g. 15 mg ~$1,049). Source: zepbound.lilly.com (verify current).
Wegovy (semaglutide) — NovoCare self-pay
NovoCare's self-pay for the Wegovy injection has been about $349/month across pen doses, with roughly $199/month for the first fills of starter doses. The new Wegovy pill has carried a starter-dose price near $149/month (often a limited-time offer — confirm it applies to your dose).
These are the current published pattern; confirm exact figures at NovoCare.com before buying — they change and are often promotional.
The GLP-1 pill is here: oral Wegovy
In December 2025, the FDA approved oral Wegovy (oral semaglutide, 25 mg once daily) for chronic weight management — the first oral GLP-1 for weight loss — and it reached pharmacies in early January 2026. Take it on an empty stomach with a 30-minute wait before eating or other medications.
Don't confuse it with Rybelsus, which is oral semaglutide (3/7/14 mg) approved only for type 2 diabetes, not weight loss. The starter-dose cash price has been near $149/month via NovoCare — verify what your maintenance dose actually costs.
TrumpRx — direct cash prices
Launched February 2026, TrumpRx.gov is a federal platform for buying brand drugs at negotiated cash prices directly from the manufacturer (result of a November 2025 White House deal with Novo Nordisk and Eli Lilly). Injectable Ozempic and Wegovy launched around $350/month, with a stated path toward $245/month over roughly two years; the oral GLP-1 starter dose has been listed near $149/month.
Reporting (AJMC, NBC) notes real-world eligibility is narrower than the headlines, and it's positioned for people not eligible for the Medicare Bridge. Confirm current per-dose prices and eligibility on TrumpRx.gov — this is new and moving.
The compounding cliff — read this before you rely on it
Compounded semaglutide and tirzepatide were the cheapest headline prices during the shortage — but that window is closing:
- • March 3, 2026: FDA issued 30 warning letters to telehealth companies over compounded GLP-1 marketing (after 55+ in September 2025).
- • April 30, 2026: FDA proposed permanently excluding semaglutide, tirzepatide, and liraglutide from the 503B bulks list — ending large-scale outsourcing-facility compounding. The comment period closed June 29, 2026.
- • Narrow, patient-specific 503A compounding remains legal only where there's a documented individual medical need (an ingredient allergy, a clinically justified different form) — not preference or cost savings alone, and not a copy of the approved drug.
If you use a compounded option, understand it is not FDA-approved and its availability is uncertain — have a backup plan.
Figure out your real number
A headline price is rarely the total. Add up membership, medication, labs, and shipping — then see which provider path fits.
Frequently asked
What is TrumpRx and what does it charge for Ozempic or Wegovy?
TrumpRx is a federal direct-to-consumer platform (launched February 2026) where uninsured patients buy brand-name drugs at negotiated cash prices from the manufacturer. Injectable Ozempic and Wegovy launched around $350/month with a stated path toward $245/month over about two years; the oral GLP-1 starter dose has been listed near $149/month. Real-world eligibility is narrower than headlines suggest, and prices change — verify current figures on TrumpRx.gov.
Is there a Medicare program that covers GLP-1s for weight loss?
Yes — the Medicare GLP-1 Bridge Program runs July 1, 2026 through December 31, 2027 and offers a flat $50/month copay for eligible beneficiaries using Wegovy (or a covered Zepbound formulation) for weight management, with a documented BMI and clinical criteria via prior authorization. It is a time-limited demonstration, not permanent Medicare coverage, and the $50 sits outside the Part D benefit (it does not count toward your deductible or out-of-pocket max).
Is there a GLP-1 pill for weight loss in 2026?
Yes. The FDA approved oral Wegovy (oral semaglutide, 25 mg once daily) for chronic weight management in December 2025 — the first oral GLP-1 for weight loss — and it launched in pharmacies in early January 2026. It is different from Rybelsus, which is oral semaglutide approved only for type 2 diabetes. A starter-dose cash price near $149/month has been offered through NovoCare, but confirm the current price and whether it applies to your dose.
What is the cheapest legitimate way to get a GLP-1 right now?
It depends on your situation. If you have insurance that covers it, an in-network copay is usually cheapest. If you are on Medicare and eligible, the GLP-1 Bridge Program is $50/month. Otherwise, manufacturer-direct self-pay (NovoCare for Wegovy, LillyDirect for Zepbound) and TrumpRx are the main brand-name cash routes, typically a few hundred dollars a month. The lowest sticker prices have been compounded, but that route is being restricted (see below).
Can I still get compounded semaglutide or tirzepatide in 2026?
The large-scale compounding of the shortage era is being shut down. The FDA issued warning letters in March 2026 and, on April 30, 2026, proposed permanently excluding semaglutide, tirzepatide, and liraglutide from the list of drugs outsourcing facilities may compound in bulk. Narrow, patient-specific (503A) compounding remains legal only where there is a documented individual medical need — not simply preference or cost savings. If you rely on a compounded option, have a backup plan.
Sources (primary / authoritative)
- CMS — Medicare GLP-1 Bridge program
- CMS — $50/month GLP-1 access announcement
- FDA — proposed 503B bulks-list exclusion of GLP-1s
- Novo Nordisk — FDA approves oral Wegovy
- Lilly — Zepbound self-pay pricing (official)
- NovoCare — Wegovy self-pay (official)
- KFF — Medicare/Medicaid GLP-1 coverage explainer
Prices and programs in this category change monthly. We re-verify and date this page regularly, but the official source on the day you buy is what governs your cost. This page is educational, not medical or financial advice.