Semaglutide, also known by its brand names Ozempic* and Wegovy, is quickly becoming one of the most popular weight loss drugs available. In this article we unpack how much semaglutide costs, how it works and whether insurance companies cover it and how to find the most affordable option.
Semaglutide is the active ingredient in popular injectable weight loss medications like Ozempic, Wegovy and Compounded Semaglutide**, all of which belong to a class of medications called GLP-1 receptor agonists and are administered via weekly injection.
It helps promote weight loss by mimicking the effects of GLP-1, an incretin hormone produced in your body after you eat. While your body's GLP-1 has short-lived effects, semaglutide remains active much longer.
GLP-1 medications like semaglutide work primarily by having multiple effects throughout the body.. They work on the brain to reduce "food noise" - those persistent thoughts about eating - which helps decrease snacking and overall food intake. They also regulate blood sugar levels, slow down digestion and increase feelings of fullness, meaning you can focus on building healthy habits to keep weight off. They are also proven to help patients lose up to 15% of their body weight in just over a year. [1]
Clinical trials have shown that semaglutide is both safe and effective for the treatment of type 2 diabetes and for weight management in people with obesity. Like all prescription medication, weight loss drugs may cause side effects ranging from nausea and vomiting to more serious side effects like pancreatitis. [2]
With Levity, Ozempic* costs $1,199 for a one-month supply and this includes your initial consultation, shipping, as well as any ongoing lifestyle and clinical support you need from our team.
Wegovy costs $1,599 per month as part of the Levity weight loss program including your initial consultation, shipping and extra support.
With Levity Compounded Semaglutide** costs $225 per month because it is an unbranded generic version of semaglutide which is 80% cheaper than brand-name treatments like Wegovy and Ozempic*. Like our other treatments this price also includes the cost of your consultation, shipping and ongoing support.
At Levity we only work with licensed compounding pharmacies to produce Compounded Semaglutide** and these pharmacies follow strict safety standards and have a proven track record of quality, consistency, and medical effectiveness. They also must meet rigorous state requirements for quality, and we only work with those who undergo regular standards inspections.
Insurance coverage for Wegovy varies by provider, and the price will depend upon how your insurance classifies Wegovy as well as your individual policy. To find out if you are covered, you can get in touch with your insurance provider to determine the cost of medication.
Ozempic* hasn't yet been approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) as a weight loss treatment so it will only be covered by your insurance provider as a diabetes medication. To get it off-label for weight loss, you'll have to pay in full yourself.
Similarly to Ozempic*, Compounded Semaglutide** hasn’t been approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) as a weight loss treatment which means it isn’t covered by insurance companies and that you will have to cover the cost yourself.
If you’re interested in using semaglutide injections for weight loss, Levity can help. Weight loss injections need to be prescribed by a medical professional, who assesses whether these medications are suitable for you and you meet eligibility criteria. Start a consultation today to get started.
*Ozempic is FDA-approved for type 2 diabetes, but may be prescribed off-label for obesity at the discretion of the prescribing physician.
**Compounded drugs are permitted to be prescribed under federal law but are not FDA-approved and do not undergo FDA safety, effectiveness, or quality review.
[1] Wilding JPH, Batterham RL, Calanna S. Once-Weekly Semaglutide in Adults with Overweight or Obesity. The New England Journal of Medicine [Internet]. 2021 Feb 10;384(11):989–1002. Available from: https://www.nejm.org/doi/full/10.1056/NEJMoa2032183
[2] HIGHLIGHTS OF PRESCRIBING INFORMATION [Internet]. Available from: https://www.accessdata.fda.gov/drugsatfda_docs/label/2023/215256s007lbl.pdf
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