Mounjaro Cost

It’s no secret that drug prices can vary widely. For most people, cost is a major factor in deciding between the brand-name or generic version of a drug and whether to use health insurance or other cost-saving programs. Weight loss medications like Mounjaro® (tirzepatide), in particular, can be priced pretty steeply.

How much is Mounjaro without insurance? This medication can cost upwards of $1,200 a month without insurance. Things like manufacturer’s discounts and savings cards can lower the monthly Mounjaro cost — but it’s up to patients to understand their options.

Let’s unclutter what goes into the cost of Mounjaro, including navigating insurance coverage, how to save and get the most out of your prescription, and more affordable alternatives.

Mounjaro is approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for the treatment of type 2 diabetes. It can also be prescribed off-label for weight loss alongside healthy eating and regular physical activity.

This medication helps improve glucose levels by promoting the release of insulin from the pancreas when blood sugar levels are high and reducing how much glucose the liver makes.

Mounjaro has become a widely used weight loss medication, along with other glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonists (GLP-1s), as well as topiramate, metformin, and bupropion-naltrexone.

However, you should know that Mounjaro is only approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for its use in type 2 diabetes management and not for weight loss.

Many healthcare providers prescribe Mounjaro off-label for weight loss. Off-label use is when a drug is prescribed to treat a medical condition other than what it’s been FDA-approved for.

Mounjaro mimics GIP (glucose-dependent insulinotropic polypeptide) and GLP-1 (glucagon-like peptide-1). These hormones are naturally secreted in the intestine and play a role in weight management. 

GLP-1 can help suppress your appetite and make you feel fuller for longer. GIP can have similar effects but also increase lipolysis — the breakdown of fats for energy. 

In other words, adding Mounjaro to other healthy habits may make you feel less hungry overall. This can help you avoid overeating and support your weight loss goals.

Research shows that Mounjaro can be an effective addition to a healthy lifestyle for weight loss. For example, one systematic review of ten studies with a total of nearly 10,000 patients found that tirzepatide was more effective than other drugs (including other GLP-1s) in reducing body weight when used in doses of 5, 10, and 15 milligrams (mg).

Mounjaro is so effective for weight loss in some people that the demand for it has resulted in shortages, which has also boosted its cost.

According to Eli Lilly, the manufacturer of Mounjaro, the list price is $1,069.08 per month.

Depending on the pharmacy, the monthly Mounjaro cost may be between $900 and $1,200 for a package of four injection pens. If you don’t have insurance, the Mounjaro out-of-pocket cost is nearly $12,000 a year. 

How much you’ll end up paying also depends on factors like whether you’re using prescription drug insurance or other cost-saving assistance programs. 

You might also find price variations between in-store retail pharmacies like Target and Walgreens compared to online retail pharmacies.

If you have prescription insurance, consult your plan first to understand your coverage details, potential cost-savings benefits for the medication, and your eligibility.

We can’t tell you what insurance company covers Mounjaro for certain — because it can vary. But providers are much more likely to cover it for type 2 diabetes treatment than for weight loss.

But don’t worry—there are other ways to reduce the cost, regardless of whether you have insurance.

We searched for Mounjaro weight loss prices using Optum Perks a drug pricing and coupon site. 

Mounjaro costs vary depending on pharmacy location, dosage, and the amount of Mounjaro you request. Pricing can change over time, but the site’s Mounjaro coupons never expire.

At the time of publishing, these were the prices for a one-month supply of Mounjaro:

Alternatively, you can apply for a Mounjaro Savings Card. This discount card could potentially get you up to 85 percent off of the standard cost of the drug. Some people might even be set up on a plan to pay $25 for a one-month or three-month prescription.

A Mounjaro Savings Card can offer you a maximum savings of: 

• $150 per prescription for a one-month supply

• $300 per prescription for a two-month supply

• $450 per prescription for a three-month supply

This comes out to a separate maximum annual savings of up to $1,800 per calendar year.

To be eligible for the Mounjaro Savings Card, you must: 

• Reside in the United States or Puerto Rico

• Currently have a Mounjaro prescription for type 2 diabetes

• Currently have health insurance that doesn’t cover the drug

• Not have Medicare as your insurance

Check your health insurance policy to confirm whether or not the drug is covered under your plan.

It’s unlikely you’ll get your insurance provider to cover Mounjaro for weight loss if you don’t have type 2 diabetes. 

Even if you have diabetes and your insurance company says Mounjaro is covered for this purpose, it might require confirmation of a diabetes diagnosis before approving coverage for the medication. 

You may not be able to convince your insurance company to cover a Mounjaro prescription, but here are some things you can consider doing.

• Make an appointment with your healthcare provider. The possibility of getting a prescription calls for a conversation with your medical provider. This also ensures an official record is in place showing that you discussed your health and medical treatment needs.

• Check your insurance plan formulary. The formulary explains your prescription medication coverage options and disclaimers, including whether Mounjaro is listed as something your plan includes. If it’s not listed, you can request that your plan adds it through its exceptions process.

• Get a prior authorization. Some insurance companies require a prior authorization for Mounjaro. This means your healthcare provider will need to send in documentation that you have a type 2 diabetes diagnosis and a medical need for this medication.

• Consider an appeal. If your initial request for Mounjaro coverage is denied, you can file an appeal with your insurance provider. Your insurance may not budge, but it’s worth a shot. An appeal means your healthcare provider would submit a letter explaining why you need the medication. 

Medicaid plans vary by state, so you’ll have to check with your local Medicaid agency to see if you have coverage for Mounjaro. Medicaid might cover Mounjaro in some instances if you have diabetes and obesity and get prior authorization.

If your insurance won’t cover Mounjaro and you can’t find a good savings option to bring the price of Mounjaro down enough, there are alternative medications to explore. 

First, the FDA approved Zepbound® for chronic weight management in November 2023. While the brand name is different, it contains the same active ingredient as Mounjaro (tirzepatide) and shares the same manufacturer. However, this medication tends to cost more than Mounjaro. 

Hers offers compounded GLP-1 injections to bring doctor-trusted, affordable weight loss options to more people living with obesity. Compounded medications contain the same active ingredients as brand-name drugs, but they are not FDA-approved. 

With that said, it’s important to purchase weight loss medications from a trustworthy company that makes the drug in a licensed U.S.-based facility — which Hers takes care of for you.

Hers monthly subscriptions for compounded semaglutide and other GLP-1 injections start as low as $199 a month.

Mounjaro is one of several weight loss drugs available that many people have found success with, but it can be expensive.

Here’s what to keep in mind about Mounjaro cost:

• Mounjaro is only FDA-approved for diabetes. However, some healthcare professionals prescribe it off-label for weight loss.

• Savings programs might be available. Without commercial insurance, you can expect to pay quite a bit for Mounjaro. But savings card programs might be an option. Consider applying for a Mounjaro Savings Card, for example.

• There are alternatives. If Mounjaro doesn’t work for you — because of the cost, side effects, or another reason — there are other options, like Zepbound or compounded GLP-1 injections. Speak with your healthcare provider for personalized medical advice.

Hers is committed to making weight loss medications as accessible and affordable as possible without compromising on quality or safety. Explore weight loss programs for women on our telehealth platform.