Zepbound (tirzepatide) is a GLP-1 agonist used for weight loss and sleep apnea and may be covered by your insurance. Check with your prescription drug plan about coverage and cost. Their phone number is typically located on the back of your insurance card. Lilly, the manufacturer, may also be able to offer you a $25 copay savings card if Zepbound is covered by your commercial insurance.

You have other ways to check. Your insurance plan may offer an online tool with your pharmacy benefit manager so you can search online for Zepbound drug coverage through the formulary. A formulary is a list of approved and covered drugs for your insurance. Tiers help to determine what your copay or other out-of-pocket costs may be.

If you still have further questions, contact your insurance company directly or call Lilly at 1-866-923-1953 for the Zepbound Savings Card Program.

Related: View Zepbound Prices, Coupons and Savings Programs

FDA approved uses for Zepbound

If your insurance has Zepbound on their formulary list of drugs, you are usually required to meet the FDA approved uses for Zepbound for it to be covered, which include:

• Adults with obesity or overweight who also have weight-related medical problems (like high blood pressure, high cholesterol, type 2 diabetes or heart disease), to lose excess body weight and keep it off.
• Adults with moderate to severe obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) and obesity to improve their OSA.

For these uses, Zepbound should be used with a reduced-calorie diet and increased physical activity.

Zepbound works differently than other weight loss medicines. It activates 2 hormone receptors, GIP (glucose-dependent insulinotropic polypeptide) and GLP-1 (glucagon-like peptide-1) and works by reducing appetite, how much you eat, and lowering your body fat and weight.

It’s given as a self-administered subcutaneous (under the skin) injection once weekly. You, or a caregiver, can learn to inject this medicine from your healthcare provider and use it at home.

The same active ingredient (tirzepatide) is approved under the brand name Mounjaro to treat type 2 diabetes, But if Mounjaro is prescribed for weight loss, it is considered an "off-label" use and your insurance may not cover it.

How much is Zepbound if I have insurance?

If your insurance plan covers Zepbound for chronic weight loss or obstructive sleep apnea, your out-of-pocket costs will depend upon your specific deductible, benefit coverage and copay that Zepbound falls under. Coverage can vary among insurance carriers and a patient’s plan benefits.

If you have commercial insurance (for example, the type supplied by your employer or that you bought yourself) that includes Zepbound and your doctor prescribes this medicine, it may be more affordable for you to gain access using a Zepbound Savings Card supplied from Eli Lilly, the manufacturer.

How much can you save with the Zepbound savings card?

Eligible commercially insured patients may pay as little as $25 with a 1-month (up to 4 pens) or 3-month (up to 12 pens) prescription. You may only use the copay card for a maximum of up to 13 prescription fills per calendar year. Pen strengths up to 15 mg are covered with the savings card. The 2.5 mg pen is covered, but it's a starting dose and not an approved maintenance dose.

There are also some limitations on savings with the card. There is a maximum monthly savings of up to $150 per 1-month prescription, $300 per 2-month prescription, or $450 per 3-month prescription fill and separate maximum annual savings of up to $1,950 per calendar year.

Here are a few tips when call your insurance.

• Ask your insurance company what medicines are covered for weight loss or sleep apnea, and make a list.
• Discuss with your doctor which medicines may be preferable for you and any cost issues.
• Ask if here any steps your doctor needs to take before Zepbound (or other GLP-1 medicine) coverage can be approved, such as submitting a prior authorization (PA) form. Prior authorization occurs if the insurance company determines it need to review the patient's medical history for drug approval.
• Determine your monthly out-of-pocket costs before your prescription is written to be sure you can afford Zepbound.
• Call Lilly, your doctor or pharmacist if you need to discuss other options before you fill your prescription.

If you have a yearly deductible for prescriptions, you may need to fully meet this deductible before your insurance would start any medication coverage. Once your yearly out-of-pocket costs are met, your insurance should pay for some or all of your covered medicine.

Copay cards are not typically eligible to patients with government sponsored insurance such as Medicare, Medicaid, CHIP or TriCare.

How much is Zepbound without insurance?

The cash price for Zepbound subcutaneous injection is around $1,069 for a 30-day supply of 4 injectable pens, using the Drugs.com free online discount coupon which is accepted at most U.S. pharmacies (like Walgreens, CVS Pharmacy, and Walmart) and may help you save money.

Prices can vary depending on the pharmacy you visit or your online coupon. Prices are for cash paying customers only and are not valid with insurance plans.

If you are paying cash for Zepbound, and do not have commercial insurance OR have commercial insurance that does not cover Zepbound, you may be eligible to get Zepbound for $499 for a one month supply of the Zepbound 5 mg, 7.5 mg, 10 mg, 12.5 mg or 15 mg single-dose vial through the Zepbound Self Pay Journey Program from Eli Lilly.

A 1-month supply is defined as 28 days and 4 vials. Zepbound will be shipped directly to you through the mail. Lower prices are also available for the 2.5 mg ($349 per month).

Single dose injectable Zepbound pens are not eligible for this offer. Call 1-844-559-3471 for more information from Lilly and for additional terms and exclusions.

Related questions

• Zepbound vs Mounjaro: Comparison Guide for Weight Loss and Diabetes Treatment
• Ozempic Mounjaro Wegovy & Zepbound: Weight Loss Compared
• Which GLP-1 drug is best for weight loss?

What if my insurance won’t cover Zepbound?

If you have commercial insurance but your plan does not cover Zepbound, you may be eligible to pay a discounted cash price for the vial injections as low as $499 for a one month prescription of Zepbound through Lilly Direct. The medicine can be shipped directly to you.

Also, be sure to discuss treatment options with your healthcare provider to determine if any other medicines may be a reasonable alternative to Zepbound if this drug is not covered or you cannot afford it.

If you have a HSA (Health Savings Account) or an FSA (Flexible Spending Account) through your employer, you may be able to use these funds to help pay for the cost of Zepbound.

For patient financial assistance, contact Eli Lilly Cares at 1-800-545-6962 to learn about any programs you may qualify for.

Which insurance companies cover Zepbound?

If you have commercial medical insurance (like Blue Cross Blue Shield, United Healthcare, Cigna, Aetna or others) check with your plan directly to determine if they cover Zepbound. You can usually find the phone number on the back of your insurance card. Your benefits will vary based on your plan benefits, deductible and copay.

The newer GLP-1 / GIP or GLP-1 agonist products like Zepbound and Wegovy are expensive and you may have a large out-of-pocket cost to access these medications. But there are many programs offered by manufacturers to help people who cannot afford their medicine.

Previously, insurance rarely covered the cost of medications for weight loss, but this has changed so it’s important to check with your plan. If you need a medicine for weight loss (obesity/overweight), type 2 diabetes, obstructive sleep apnea, heart disease or certain kidney or liver diseases your insurance may be more likely to cover these types of drugs.

Does Zepbound require a prior authorization?

Your pharmacy benefit manager may require a “prior authorization form” to be filled out by your doctor and sent into the insurance company as part of the insurance approval process for Zepbound.

Prior authorization is sometimes required for certain medications if you have not tried other “first-line” options, either because these medicines are more expensive or may have certain safety concerns.

For example, you may need to meet certain criteria, like participation in a recent weight-loss program that encourages behavioral changes, diet and increased exercise for 6 months prior to Zepbound treatment. You may need to meet certain weight limits for obesity or previously tried other treatments for OSA. Each pharmacy benefit manager can determine their own specific criteria for use, so these may vary among plans.

Once the form is received from your healthcare provider, your insurance company will review the criteria, determine if you are eligible, and contact you with the decision. This may also require further follow-up by your healthcare provider.

For more information about how to fill out the Prior Authorization form for Zepbound, visit Eli Lilly’s website.

What if I have no insurance and no money?

If you do not have any prescription drug insurance or cannot pay for the medicine, contact Eli Lilly at 1-800-Lilly-Rx (1-800-545-5979) (Monday-Friday) to determine if you qualify for their patient financial assistance programs.

There may also be prescription assistance programs available locally, statewide or nationally that can offer financial advice or funding.

Can I get Zepbound as a generic yet?

Zepbound is only available as a brand name drug at this time. Zepbound was first approved in 2023, and it may be many years before the generic option, known as tirzepatide, will be available.

A generic drug has the same active ingredient as the brand name drug, but is usually more affordable.

This is not all the information you need to know about Zepbound (tirzepatide) for safe and effective use and does not take the place of your doctor’s directions. Review the full product information and discuss this information and any questions you have with your doctor or other health care provider.

References

• Zepbound, Lilly Direct. Eli Lilly and Co. Indianapolis, IN. Accessed March 12, 2025 at https://lillydirect.lilly.com/pharmacy/zepbound
• Zepbound (tirzepatide) prescribing information. Revised 12/2024. Eli Lilly and Co. Indianapolis, IN. Accessed Dec. 28, 2024 at https://pi.lilly.com/us/zepbound-uspi.pdf?s=pi
• FDA Approves First Medication for Obstructive Sleep Apnea. Dec. 20, 2024. US Food and Drug Administration (FDA). Accessed Dec 28, 2024 at https://www.fda.gov/news-events/press-announcements/fda-approves-first-medication-obstructive-sleep-apnea
• FDA Approves Lilly's Zepbound™ (tirzepatide) for Chronic Weight Management, a Powerful New Option for the Treatment of Obesity or Overweight with Weight-Related Medical Problems. PR Newswire. Nov. 8, 2023. Accessed May 27, 2024 at https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/fda-approves-lillys-zepbound-tirzepatide-for-chronic-weight-management-a-powerful-new-option-for-the-treatment-of-obesity-or-overweight-with-weight-related-medical-problems-301982041.html
• Coverage Savings. Lilly. Accessed Dec. 28, 2024 at https://zepbound.lilly.com/coverage-savings

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