What would GLP-1 actually cost you?
3 quick questions. A real cost estimate, not a range so wide it's useless.
Do you have health insurance that might cover GLP-1 medications?
This affects whether you should try insurance first or go straight to cash-pay.
Disclaimer: These estimates are ranges built from prices providers publish openly. Pricing in this market changes often, so treat the figures as a starting point and confirm the current price with the provider before you sign up. Costs also vary by provider, location, and individual treatment plan. This tool does not constitute medical advice. Always consult a licensed physician before starting any treatment.
How the GLP-1 cost calculator works
There is no single price for a GLP-1. What you pay is set by four things, and the calculator above asks about three of them because the fourth follows from your answers. Here is what each one actually changes.
Does insurance cover GLP-1 medications?
It depends on the plan, and coverage for weight loss is a separate question from coverage for type 2 diabetes — plans routinely cover one and not the other. Where a plan does cover weight-loss treatment, it usually requires prior authorization before the prescription is filled. This is the single biggest swing in what you pay, which is why the calculator asks about it first.
Which medication is prescribed?
Semaglutide and tirzepatide are different molecules with different prices, and for each of them a brand-name product and other lawfully supplied forms sit at very different price points. The compounded route in particular has a shifting regulatory picture, so what is available can change independently of what it costs.
Local clinic or telehealth?
The structural difference matters more than the sticker price. Telehealth platforms typically quote one monthly figure with the medication included. Local clinics more often charge a consultation fee, then bill the medication and any lab work separately — so two programs advertising a similar monthly number can land in very different places once everything is added up.
Where do you live?
State rules govern telehealth prescribing and what compounding pharmacies may supply, so your state changes which providers can treat you at all — not just what they charge. Local clinic pricing also varies by market.
What GLP-1 treatment costs in 2026
Verified September 5, 2026 against the manufacturers' published pricing and CMS. Full sourcing in the price guide.
| Route | Published monthly cost | Who it applies to |
|---|---|---|
| Insurance + manufacturer savings card | as little as $25 | Commercial insurance covering obesity treatment, prior authorization approved |
| Medicare GLP-1 Bridge | $50 | Eligible Part D beneficiaries, July 1 2026 – December 31 2027 |
| Zepbound direct (LillyDirect) | $299–$449 | Cash-pay, by dose; assumes refill within 45 days |
| Wegovy direct (NovoCare) | $349 | Cash-pay, standard doses; $199 for first 2 months for new patients |
| Online telehealth platform | $99–$548 | Cash-pay; most include medication in the monthly fee |
| Local clinic | Varies by clinic | Medication and labs are often billed separately — ask for the all-in figure |
Want the actual numbers?
The calculator gives you a range for your situation. Our price guide breaks the whole market down — brand-name against compounded, telehealth against local clinics, insurance, and the manufacturer savings programs most people never hear about.
Read the complete GLP-1 price guide →Common questions
Do I have to give my email to use the calculator?
No. The calculator asks three questions and shows your estimate immediately. There is no email gate, no signup, and no results-by-email step.
Where do these estimates come from?
They are ranges built from prices providers publish openly, not quotes. No calculator can tell you your exact price, because it depends on your plan, your prescription, and the provider you choose. Treat the estimate as a starting point and confirm the current price with the provider before you sign up.
Comparing providers next? See our ranked online provider comparison, browse weight-loss clinics and providers, or read how we rank them. Every guide on this site is reviewed by Laura de Leon.