Free & Low-Cost GLP-1 Medications: Every Savings Program Explained
May 2026 | BetterNewLives.com
Both Eli Lilly and Novo Nordisk — the manufacturers of the most widely prescribed GLP-1 medications — run programs that can make Mounjaro, Zepbound, Ozempic, and Wegovy dramatically more affordable or entirely free. Most patients who could benefit from these programs don't know they exist, or don't realize they qualify. This guide covers every program, who qualifies, and exactly how to apply.
Eli Lilly Programs (Mounjaro & Zepbound)
Eli Lilly's savings card is the most powerful cost-reduction tool for patients with commercial (private) insurance. It functions as a secondary payer — you present the card at the pharmacy alongside your insurance, and Lilly pays most or all of your remaining copay or coinsurance. The result: as low as $25/month out of pocket for a medication that lists at $900–$1,200/month.
Who qualifies:
- You have commercial (private) health insurance — employer-sponsored, ACA marketplace, or private purchase
- Your insurance does not fully cover Mounjaro or Zepbound, or covers it but with a significant copay
- You are not enrolled in Medicare, Medicaid, or any other government-funded insurance program
- You are a U.S. resident with a valid prescription
How to enroll: Visit the Lilly savings card website (lillysavings.com or saveonmounjaro.com), create an account, and print or save your card. Present it at your pharmacy when filling the prescription. The savings are applied at the point of sale — no waiting for reimbursement.
Important caveats: The card has a monthly savings cap (typically $150–$573 depending on the program year). If your copay exceeds the cap, you pay the difference. Terms change annually — verify current caps directly with Lilly or at your pharmacy.
For patients without insurance or with inadequate coverage who cannot afford Mounjaro or Zepbound, the Lilly Cares Foundation provides medication at no cost. This is a true patient assistance program — not a discount card — and the application process is more involved than the savings card.
Who qualifies:
- U.S. resident with a valid prescription for Mounjaro or Zepbound
- Household income generally at or below 400–600% of the federal poverty level (verify current thresholds)
- No adequate private or government insurance coverage for the medication
- Not eligible for other prescription assistance programs
How to apply: Applications are typically submitted through the Lilly Cares Foundation website (lillycares.com) or initiated by your healthcare provider. Your doctor must participate in the application — they submit supporting clinical documentation. Processing typically takes 2–4 weeks. Approved patients receive medication shipped directly to their provider's office or to their home depending on the program.
Novo Nordisk Programs (Ozempic & Wegovy)
Novo Nordisk offers manufacturer savings cards for both Ozempic (semaglutide for diabetes) and Wegovy (semaglutide for weight loss) that function similarly to the Lilly savings card. The savings potential is substantial — patients with commercial insurance who don't have full formulary coverage can reduce their cost to $25–$99/month depending on the current program terms.
Who qualifies:
- Commercial insurance — employer-sponsored, ACA marketplace, or private purchase
- Not enrolled in Medicare, Medicaid, or other government programs
- Valid U.S. prescription for Ozempic or Wegovy
How to enroll: Visit NovoCare.com for Ozempic or WegovySavings.com for Wegovy. Enroll online and receive a savings card by mail or printable card immediately. Present at pharmacy with your prescription.
Novo Nordisk's Patient Assistance Program (PAP) can provide Ozempic or Wegovy at no cost to patients who lack insurance coverage and meet income criteria. The program is administered through NovoCare and requires physician involvement in the application.
- Income eligibility generally up to 400% of federal poverty level (verify current thresholds)
- No adequate insurance coverage for the medication
- U.S. resident with valid prescription
- Application submitted by or with physician
Apply at: NovoCare.com or through your prescribing physician's office.
Additional Programs and Resources
NeedyMeds
NeedyMeds (needymeds.org) is a nonprofit database of patient assistance programs, disease-based assistance, and other resources for people who can't afford their medications. It aggregates programs from hundreds of manufacturers and foundations. If you've been denied by the primary manufacturer programs, NeedyMeds can surface alternative assistance sources you may not have found otherwise.
RxAssist
RxAssist (rxassist.org) is another nonprofit database similar to NeedyMeds, operated with support from pharmaceutical industry donations. It includes searchable databases of patient assistance programs and state pharmaceutical assistance programs. Useful as a second-source verification for any program you find through NeedyMeds.
State Pharmaceutical Assistance Programs (SPAPs)
Many U.S. states run their own pharmaceutical assistance programs for residents who fall into coverage gaps — particularly those who are Medicare-eligible but can't afford their Part D costs. Some state programs have expanded to cover GLP-1 medications in 2024–2026. Check your state health department's website or benefits.gov for current state program availability.
GoodRx — Limited but worth checking
GoodRx provides cash-price discounts on medications at participating pharmacies. For GLP-1 brand-name drugs, the discounts are modest — typically showing $800–$1,100+ for Ozempic or Mounjaro, which is lower than list price but still far more expensive than manufacturer savings programs. Where GoodRx is most useful is as a price comparison tool to find which pharmacy near you has the best cash price if you can't use a savings card or PAP. GoodRx does work better for some other medications that are outside the GLP-1 category.
If No Programs Apply to You
If you don't qualify for savings cards (Medicare/Medicaid) and don't meet income thresholds for patient assistance, your remaining options are telehealth programs using compounded medication, or in some cases working with your insurer through the appeal process. See our full guide for uninsured and underinsured patients: