Mounjaro is a once-weekly injectable medication approved by the FDA to help manage blood sugar in people with type 2 diabetes. Tirzepatide is its active ingredient and it belongs to a latest class of drugs known as dual GIP (glucose-dependent insulinotropic polypeptide) and GLP-1 (glucagon-like peptide-1) receptor agonists.
Clinical trials have shown that participants using Mounjaro not only experienced significant blood sugar reductions but also lost an average of 12 to 15 pounds although it is not FDA approved for weight loss. Therefore, some medical practitioners prescribe Mounjaro off-label for weight management.
This drug can be expensive with a monthly supply priced at $1,069.08 according to the manufacturer which is Eli Lilly. This article will cover more details on the cost of Mounjaro with and without insurance as well as tips for saving on your prescription.
How Much Does Mounjaro Cost Without Insurance?
A monthly supply of Mounjaro costs between $1,000 and $1,200 without insurance or discount programs. Most commercial health insurance plans only cover Mounjaro when it is prescribed for type 2 diabetes. This may not include for the insurance coverage if the medication is prescribed for weight loss as this is considered an off-label use.
Is Mounjaro Covered by Insurance?
It depends on your situation. Mounjaro is FDA approved only for type 2 diabetes. Most of the commercial insurance plans will not cover it for weight loss. Your out-of-pocket cost could be as low as $25 per prescription fill if you have been prescribed Mounjaro for diabetes and your insurance plan covers it.
You may qualify for Eli Lilly’s patient assistance program if your plan does not cover Mounjaro. You could receive up to $573 off a one month supply if you have commercial insurance that does not cover Mounjaro and it is prescribed for type 2 diabetes according to Eli Lilly’s website. You should note that the program caps annual savings at $3,438 which equals about six prescription fills per year.
Many insurers have online portals where you can check covered medications or you can call your insurance provider directly for details.
Why is Mounjaro so Expensive?
Mounjaro is protected by a patent which allows Eli Lilly to prevent other companies from producing their own versions. Therefore prices will not decrease significantly while the patent is in effect.
The patent for Mounjaro expires in 2036 and other manufacturers will be able to produce generic versions after 2036. These generics are expected to be just as effective but more affordable.
How Can I Save Money on Mounjaro?
The cost of Mounjaro without insurance is very high. Many people find it unaffordable at $1,069.08 per month. But, there are several ways to reduce the cost.
1. Get a prescription via telehealth:
Mounjaro requires a prescription from a healthcare provider. Using telehealth services such as Healify Clinic for your appointment can save money on the visit itself. Your doctor may also provide tips on reducing the cost of the medication during the consultation.
Your provider will need to submit a prior authorization before your plan covers Mounjaro if you have health insurance. All commercial insurance plans do not cover the drug even with prior authorization while doctors can help with this paperwork.
2. Check if you qualify for the Mounjaro savings card:
Eli Lilly offers a patient saving card that can lower your out of pocket cost as the manufacturer. You must be a U.S. or Puerto Rico resident aged 18 or older, cannot be enrolled in a federal or state prescription program such as Medicaid, Medicare Part D, or Medigap and have a Mounjaro prescription for type 2 diabetes to be eligible for this program. You can visit Eli Lilly’s Mounjaro savings resources page for more details.
3. Explore prescription discount programs:
Programs such as SingleCare, Optum Perks, and others offer discounts on medications at participating pharmacies. These programs may provide coupons or codes that pharmacies can apply at checkout helping reduce your out-of-pocket costs.
Prescription discount programs can be especially useful if you have high deductible insurance or no insurance at all though the amount saved can vary depending on the pharmacy, medication, and program terms.
Are There Alternatives to Mounjaro?
There are other medications similar to Mounjaro. You can talk with your doctor if Mounjaro is unavailable due to cost, supply, or shortages. They can help you explore alternative options including other GLP-1 medications and non-GLP-1 treatments to find one that may work for you. Your doctor may be able to prescribe another GLP-1 or GLP-1/GIP medication as a more affordable alternative if your insurance does not cover Mounjaro.
Some GLP-1 alternatives to Mounjaro are Ozempic, Rybelsus, Wegovy which include semaglutidea as the active ingredient, Zepbound with tirzepatide as the active ingredient, Trulicity with dulaglutide as the active ingredient and liraglutide including medications such as Saxenda and Victoza.
Several non-GLP-1 medications are approved for conditions like diabetes but are sometimes prescribed off-label for weight loss. Non-GLP-1 diabetes medications include Metformin (Glucophage), Topiramate (Topamax) and SGLT2 inhibitors (canagliflozin, dapagliflozin, empagliflozin).
There are also non-GLP-1 medications specifically prescribed for weight loss even if they are not used for diabetes management. Non-GLP-1 weight loss medications include Bupropion-naltrexone (Contrave), Orlistat (Alli, Xenical) and Phentermine-topiramate (Qsymia).
Note: Phentermine is a controlled substance that is included as one of the active ingredients in Qsymia. Many medical practitioners require an in person visit before prescribing it as it may not be available through telehealth appointments.
Healify Clinic provides an affordable and comprehensive online telehealth care to support you on your weight management journey. You can book your appointment online and consult a licensed doctor that provides video consultation with weight management. The website also provides access to weight loss medication prescriptions when appropriate, unlimited messaging with your provider, ongoing guidance, and additional support throughout your journey. So that you can get an idea about the cost for your weight management treatment and options that you take to reduce the cost.
