GLP-1 Patient Assistance: Manufacturer Programs Explained
If you are uninsured or significantly underinsured, cost is real. Brand-name GLP-1 medications are expensive without insurance or a savings program, and even with a discount they remain out of reach for many people. This page walks through your actual options for getting help when money is tight.
Patient assistance programs exist. They are not marketing hype. The companies that make brand-name GLP-1 medications run income-based programs for people who cannot afford their drugs. But these programs have strict eligibility, they do not cover every medication, and they are not guaranteed. Understanding how they work, what they require, and whether they fit your situation is the first step.
Transformation Health is an independent guide, not a provider: we do not prescribe, sell medication, or run assistance programs. This content is for general education and is not medical advice. Talk with a licensed provider about your situation.
Manufacturer Patient Assistance Programs: How They Work
Patient assistance programs (PAPs) provide a manufacturer’s medications at no cost to people who meet the program’s income, insurance, and residency rules. They are separate from savings (copay) cards, which are for people with commercial insurance. Each program publishes its own list of covered medications, and that list decides everything: if your medication is not on it, the program cannot help with that medication.
The details below come from each program’s own pages, checked on 2026-10-16. Programs change their lists and rules, so check the current page before you apply.
Manufacturer Assistance Program for Branded Semaglutide for Weight Management
Novo Nordisk, which makes Wegovy and Ozempic, runs the Novo Nordisk Patient Assistance Program. Its 2026 product list does not include Wegovy (semaglutide for weight management).[1][2] The only GLP-1 medicine on the list is Ozempic (semaglutide injection), which is FDA-approved for adults with type 2 diabetes, and the list marks Ozempic as available to uninsured patients only.[2] The rest of the list is insulins, a combination insulin product, and supplies.
If you are looking at Wegovy without insurance: Novo Nordisk also lists a self-pay option, with Wegovy self-pay prescriptions filled through NovoCare Pharmacy; the price varies by dose.[3] This is not a patient assistance program and has no income test. Check the manufacturer’s current page for prices.
Eligibility (Novo Nordisk PAP, as stated on the program page as of 2026-10-16):[1]
- You must have Medicare or no insurance. The page says people with private or commercial insurance are not eligible.
- Medicare beneficiaries with prescription drug coverage are no longer eligible to receive Ozempic through the program.
- Household income must be at or below 200% of the federal poverty level for Ozempic, and at or below 400% for the program’s other medicines.
- You cannot be enrolled in or qualify for Medicaid, the Medicare Low-Income Subsidy (Extra Help), or VA benefits. If you are eligible for Medicaid or Extra Help, you submit a denial letter with the application.
- You must be a US citizen or legal resident.
How to apply: You complete the patient part of the application (online, or on the paper form), and the application needs your prescriber’s information to move forward. Your prescriber completes their part.[1]
Timeline: The program says a complete application is processed within 2 business days, and approved patients have medicine shipped to their home within 5 business days. Uninsured patients are enrolled for 12 months.[1]
Manufacturer Assistance Program for Branded Tirzepatide for Weight Management
Eli Lilly and Company, which makes Zepbound and Mounjaro, supports the Lilly Cares Foundation Patient Assistance Program, a nonprofit program that provides prescribed Lilly medications for free for up to 12 months to qualifying US patients.[4] Its available-medications list does not include Zepbound (tirzepatide for weight management) or Mounjaro (tirzepatide for type 2 diabetes).[5]
Current status: As of 2026-10-16, tirzepatide is not available through Lilly Cares. The only GLP-1 medicine on the list is Trulicity (dulaglutide), which is FDA-approved for type 2 diabetes. Programs sometimes change their lists, so check the Lilly Cares page for updates.[5]
If you are looking at Zepbound without insurance: Lilly lists a Zepbound KwikPen self-pay offer for patients without insurance, on Medicare, or with government coverage, ordered through LillyDirect Pharmacy or another pharmacy. Self-pay costs cannot be submitted to insurance or applied to a deductible.[3] This is not a patient assistance program. Check Lilly’s current page for prices.
Eligibility (Lilly Cares, as stated on the program page as of 2026-10-16):[6]
- You must be a permanent resident of the United States (including Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands), and a healthcare provider must have prescribed a medication offered through Lilly Cares.
- You cannot be enrolled in Medicaid, full Low Income Subsidy (Extra Help), or VA benefits.
- Income limits depend on the medication group: 300% (Group 1), 400% (Group 2), and 500% (Groups 3 and 4) of the 2026 federal poverty guidelines.
- Trulicity is a Group 1 medication: for patients who have no insurance or have Medicare Part D, with household income at or below 300% of the federal poverty level.
How to apply: You fill out and sign the patient sections, online or on a paper form. Your healthcare provider fills out the prescriber section and submits a prescription.[6]
Timeline: Lilly Cares says a complete application is processed in about three to five business days. Enrollment generally lasts 12 months, or until the end of the calendar year for people with Medicare Part D, and you must reapply to stay in the program.[6]
How the process should work
Every manufacturer PAP needs a prescriber who will complete their part of the application. You choose that prescriber: a primary care provider, a provider at a community health center, or a telehealth program that prescribes brand-name medications. A licensed provider decides whether a prescription is appropriate and, if so, which FDA-approved use it is for.
Before you start, ask the provider’s office whether they complete PAP applications and how they handle the prescriber section. Many cash-pay telehealth programs, including those that prescribe compounded medications, do not take part in manufacturer PAPs, so ask before you sign up. The application works only when both you and your prescriber complete it.
Medicare Part D Coverage for GLP-1 Medications
Wegovy is FDA-approved, with a reduced calorie diet and increased physical activity, to reduce the risk of major adverse cardiovascular events (cardiovascular death, non-fatal heart attack, or non-fatal stroke) in adults with established cardiovascular disease and either obesity or overweight.[7] Because Medicare Part D may exclude drugs only when used for weight loss, a Part D plan may cover Wegovy for this cardiovascular use.[8]
Who Qualifies
Medicare Part D may cover Wegovy for cardiovascular risk reduction if:
- You have established cardiovascular disease, such as a prior heart attack or stroke, as determined by your provider.
- You have obesity or overweight, as defined in the FDA label and assessed by your provider.
- Your plan covers it. Coverage depends on your plan’s formulary and rules, which may include prior authorization. Not every plan covers it.
If you have type 2 diabetes, Part D plans may cover a GLP-1 for diabetes; that is a separate coverage question to ask your plan.
This indication is based on the SELECT trial of Wegovy (semaglutide 2.4 mg) in adults with established cardiovascular disease and overweight or obesity but without diabetes. A primary cardiovascular event occurred in 6.5% of the semaglutide group and 8.0% of the placebo group over a mean follow-up of about 40 months (hazard ratio 0.80).[9] Results vary. Trial results describe study participants and are not a prediction for any individual.
Risks to weigh: Wegovy has a boxed warning for risk of thyroid C-cell tumors. It should not be used by people with a personal or family history of medullary thyroid carcinoma or with multiple endocrine neoplasia syndrome type 2 (MEN 2), or by people with a known hypersensitivity to semaglutide or any ingredient. The most common side effects include nausea, diarrhea, vomiting, constipation, and abdominal pain. See the full prescribing information for all warnings.[7]
Cost
If your Part D plan covers Wegovy for the cardiovascular indication, what you pay depends on your plan’s deductible and cost-sharing (copay or coinsurance). Ask your plan for your cost at your dose.
Part D has a yearly cap on out-of-pocket spending for covered drugs; once you reach it, you pay nothing more for covered drugs that year. Medicare.gov lists the current amount.[10]
Separately, CMS is running a short-term demonstration, the Medicare GLP-1 Bridge, that gives eligible Part D enrollees access to certain GLP-1 drugs from July 1, 2026 through December 31, 2027 (CMS, accessed 2026-10-16). Eligibility and covered products are set by CMS and can change, so check the CMS page or call 1-800-MEDICARE.[11]
Important Limitation
The Medicare Part D benefit generally does not cover GLP-1 medications prescribed for weight loss alone. Federal law lets Part D exclude “agents when used for anorexia, weight loss, or weight gain."[8] The cardiovascular indication is a different FDA-approved use, so it falls outside that exclusion, but it applies only to people with established cardiovascular disease.
How to Check Your Coverage
Call your Medicare Part D plan or visit your plan’s website to ask:
- “Does my plan cover Wegovy for cardiovascular risk reduction?”
- “What is my copay or coinsurance?”
- “Do I have a prior authorization requirement?”
If your plan does not cover this use, ask about switching to a plan that does during Medicare’s Open Enrollment Period (October 15 to December 7 each year).[12]
Manufacturer Savings Cards for Insured Patients
If you have commercial insurance, manufacturers offer savings cards that can lower your out-of-pocket cost for a covered brand-name medication.
How they work: You enroll and present the card at the pharmacy with your insurance. The card reduces your copay or coinsurance, subject to the program’s monthly or yearly caps and expiration date.[3]
Important restriction (terms as of 2026-10-16): The Wegovy savings offer is for patients with commercial insurance and excludes government beneficiaries. The Zepbound savings card requires a commercial drug plan and excludes people enrolled in government-funded programs such as Medicaid, Medicare, or VA coverage.[3] Savings cards do not help people without insurance.
Where to find them: Go to the manufacturer’s website for your specific medication, or ask your pharmacy. Manufacturers can change or end these programs, so check the current terms.
Prescription Assistance Organizations
Several organizations keep searchable directories of patient assistance programs across many manufacturers.
NeedyMeds.org: A registered 501(c)(3) nonprofit with a searchable database of patient assistance programs, coupons and savings cards, low-cost clinics, and diagnosis-based assistance.[13] NeedyMeds does not run the programs it lists; it points you to them, and its site says to check with each program if you have questions.
Medicine Assistance Tool: Lilly Cares refers people whose medication is not listed, or who do not qualify, to the Medicine Assistance Tool website for other resources.[5]
RxAssist (rxassist.org): A database of patient assistance programs, searchable by medication.[14]
These directories do not approve applications or dispense medication. You still apply through the program itself, with your prescriber completing their section.
Community Health Centers and the 340B Program
Some people have access to a different pathway through community health centers, including federally qualified health centers (FQHCs).
What is the 340B program: Under the 340B Drug Pricing Program, manufacturers that participate in Medicaid agree to provide outpatient drugs to covered entities, which are defined in statute and include many health centers, at significantly reduced prices.[15] The program is meant to let these organizations stretch federal resources further. It does not set the price a patient pays.
Who this serves: HRSA says all health centers adjust their fees based on income and family size and must serve everyone, even if they cannot pay, and many have on-site pharmacies that provide discounted prescription drugs.[16] Whether a center prescribes a GLP-1, and what you pay for it, depends on the center, so ask.
How to find a health center: HRSA’s Find a Health Center tool (findahealthcenter.hrsa.gov) lists health center sites by location.[17] A health center can also be a place to find a prescriber who will complete a PAP application.
State Pharmaceutical Assistance Programs
Some states run their own prescription assistance programs for residents, separate from manufacturer programs.
How they work: The medications covered, income limits, and application processes vary by state.
Where to check: Contact your state Medicaid office or state health department to ask whether your state has a program. You can also search by state on NeedyMeds.[13]
Honest Expectations: What to Know Before You Apply
Patient assistance programs are real, but they come with real constraints.
The medication has to be on the list. As of 2026-10-16, neither the Novo Nordisk program nor Lilly Cares listed Wegovy or Zepbound. If you need a medication for weight management, a PAP may not cover it.[2][5]
Income limits are strict. The limits are set as a percentage of the federal poverty guidelines and differ by program and medication (for example, 200% for Ozempic through Novo Nordisk and 300% for Trulicity through Lilly Cares, as of 2026-10-16).[1][6] If your household income is above the limit, you will not qualify, even if you struggle to pay. Both programs verify or require documentation of income and insurance.
Insurance rules matter. Private or commercial insurance makes you ineligible for the Novo Nordisk program.[1] Both programs exclude people enrolled in Medicaid, Extra Help, or VA benefits.[1][6] Medicare rules differ by program and medication, so check the specific medication.
Incomplete paperwork causes delays. Both programs say missing information slows processing. Gather income documents and any required denial letters before you apply.
Approval does not renew automatically. Program approval generally lasts 12 months (or through the calendar year for Medicare patients), and you must reapply to continue.[1][6]
Program options to review
If a patient assistance program does not fit, because your medication is not listed or your income is above the limit, compare the other options on their total cost and terms:
- Manufacturer self-pay: Novo Nordisk and Lilly both list self-pay options for some brand-name medications, with prices that vary by dose.[3]
- Cash-pay telehealth programs: Some prescribe brand-name medications and some prescribe compounded semaglutide or tirzepatide. A licensed provider decides whether a prescription is appropriate.
Compounded medications are not FDA-approved. The FDA does not review them for safety, effectiveness, or quality.[18] Compounded semaglutide and tirzepatide are not the same as brand-name products such as Wegovy, Ozempic, Zepbound, or Mounjaro. They may differ in formulation, purity, and potency. Trial results for brand-name products do not apply to compounded versions.
What to confirm before you choose a program:
- Which medication and dose the monthly price covers, and whether the price changes as the dose increases
- Whether provider visits, follow-ups, and lab work are included or billed separately
- Which pharmacy prepares or fills the medication, and that pharmacy’s state license
- Shipping, membership, or setup fees
- Cancellation terms, including whether you are billed in advance
Prices vary by program and dose, so compare the total cost: medication, dose increases, visits, labs, shipping, membership fees, and cancellation terms.
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Program Comparison Table
Terms below are as stated on each source’s page as of 2026-10-16 and can change. This table compares types of help, not equivalent products.
| Program | Covered medication (molecule + indication) | Eligibility | Cost | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Manufacturer self-pay (Wegovy through NovoCare Pharmacy; Zepbound KwikPen through LillyDirect or another pharmacy) | Brand-name semaglutide or tirzepatide for chronic weight management | No income test; Lilly’s offer is open to people without insurance, on Medicare, or with government coverage | Varies by dose; see the manufacturer’s current page | Not a patient assistance program; self-pay costs cannot be applied to insurance |
| Lilly Cares Foundation | Trulicity (dulaglutide, type 2 diabetes) and other listed Lilly medications; does not list Zepbound or Mounjaro | No insurance or Medicare Part D; income at or below 300% FPL for Trulicity | No cost for approved patients | Prescriber completes a section; about 3-5 business days to process a complete application |
| Novo Nordisk Patient Assistance Program | Ozempic (semaglutide, type 2 diabetes; uninsured only) and other listed Novo Nordisk medicines; does not list Wegovy | Medicare or no insurance; income at or below 200% FPL for Ozempic, 400% for other medicines | No cost for approved patients | Prescriber information required; about 2 business days to process a complete application |
| Medicare Part D | Wegovy for cardiovascular risk reduction | Established cardiovascular disease plus obesity or overweight; plan must cover it | Plan deductible and cost-sharing | May require prior authorization; check with your plan |
| Medicare GLP-1 Bridge (CMS demonstration) | Certain GLP-1 drugs, as set by CMS | Eligible Part D enrollees, July 1, 2026 through December 31, 2027 | Set by CMS; see the CMS page | Check the CMS page or call 1-800-MEDICARE |
| Manufacturer savings cards | Brand-name GLP-1 medications | Commercially insured patients only (not uninsured, Medicare, Medicaid, or VA) | Reduces copay, subject to caps | Enroll on the manufacturer’s site or ask your pharmacy |
| Cash-pay telehealth programs | Brand-name or compounded semaglutide and tirzepatide (compounded products are not FDA-approved) | Set by each program; a licensed provider decides whether a prescription is appropriate | Varies by program and dose | Compare total cost and cancellation terms |
| Community health centers (340B) | Varies by center | Health center patients; fees adjusted for income and family size | Varies by center | Find a center at findahealthcenter.hrsa.gov |
| State programs | Varies by state | Varies by state | Varies by state | Contact your state Medicaid office or health department |
Transformation Health does not accept payment from providers. How we make money.
Next Steps
If your medication is on a PAP list and your household income is within the limit: Talk with your prescriber about applying. Ask whether their office completes PAP applications, and gather recent income documents and any required denial letters. If you do not have a prescriber, a community health center can be a place to start.
If your medication is not on a PAP list, or your income is above the limit: Compare manufacturer self-pay options and cash-pay programs on their total cost and terms. Use the checklist above, and confirm current prices on each program’s own page.
If you have commercial insurance: Confirm whether your plan covers the medication. If it does, check the manufacturer’s savings card terms. If it does not, ask about an exception or prior authorization, and compare self-pay and cash-pay options.
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Get StartedCitations
[1] Novo Nordisk. “Patient Assistance Program” (NovoCare). Accessed 2026-10-16. https://www.novocare.com/diabetes/help-with-costs/pap.html
[2] Novo Nordisk. “Novo Nordisk Patient Assistance Program (PAP) Available Products” (NNIPAP_11_01012026). Accessed 2026-10-16. https://www.novocare.com/content/dam/novonordisk/novocare/forms/PAP_Product_List.pdf
[3] Novo Nordisk. “Save on Wegovy” (coverage and savings), and Eli Lilly and Company. “Zepbound Coverage and Savings.” Accessed 2026-10-16. https://www.wegovy.com/coverage-and-savings/save-on-wegovy.html and https://zepbound.lilly.com/coverage-savings
[4] Lilly Cares Foundation. “What is Lilly Cares.” Accessed 2026-10-16. https://www.lillycares.com/
[5] Lilly Cares Foundation. “Available Medications.” Accessed 2026-10-16. https://www.lillycares.com/available-medications
[6] Lilly Cares Foundation. “How to Apply” (eligibility, household income guidelines, and FAQ). Accessed 2026-10-16. https://www.lillycares.com/how-to-apply
[7] FDA. WEGOVY (semaglutide) prescribing information, Revised 06/2026. https://www.accessdata.fda.gov/drugsatfda_docs/label/2026/215256s025lbl.pdf
[8] 42 U.S.C. 1395w-102(e)(2)(A) (definition of covered Part D drug; exclusions), referencing 42 U.S.C. 1396r-8(d)(2)(A) (“agents when used for anorexia, weight loss, or weight gain”). https://www.law.cornell.edu/uscode/text/42/1395w-102 and https://www.law.cornell.edu/uscode/text/42/1396r-8
[9] Lincoff AM, et al. Semaglutide and Cardiovascular Outcomes in Obesity without Diabetes. N Engl J Med. 2023;389(24):2221-2232. PMID: 37952131.
[10] Medicare.gov. “Costs for Medicare drug coverage.” Accessed 2026-10-16. https://www.medicare.gov/drug-coverage-part-d/costs-for-medicare-drug-coverage
[11] Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services. “Medicare GLP-1 Bridge.” Accessed 2026-10-16. https://www.cms.gov/medicare/coverage/prescription-drug-coverage/medicare-glp-1-bridge
[12] Medicare.gov. “Joining a plan.” Accessed 2026-10-16. https://www.medicare.gov/basics/get-started-with-medicare/get-more-coverage/joining-a-plan
[13] NeedyMeds. Accessed 2026-10-16. https://www.needymeds.org/
[14] RxAssist. Accessed 2026-10-16. https://www.rxassist.org/
[15] Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA). “340B Drug Pricing Program.” Accessed 2026-10-16. https://www.hrsa.gov/opa
[16] HRSA Bureau of Primary Health Care. “What is a Health Center?” (last reviewed November 2025). Accessed 2026-10-16. https://bphc.hrsa.gov/about-health-center-program/what-health-center
[17] HRSA. “Find a Health Center.” Accessed 2026-10-16. https://findahealthcenter.hrsa.gov/
[18] U.S. Food and Drug Administration. “Compounding and the FDA: Questions and Answers.” https://www.fda.gov/drugs/human-drug-compounding/compounding-and-fda-questions-and-answers
Important: This content is for general education and is not medical advice. Talk with a licensed provider about your situation. transformationhealth.com is a website operated by Amerigo Health LLC. Transformation Health is an independent publisher. It does not provide medical care, prescribe, or sell medication, does not run or take part in patient assistance programs, and does not give medical advice. A licensed provider decides whether a prescription is appropriate. Compounded medications are not FDA-approved. The FDA does not review them for safety, effectiveness, or quality, and they are not the same as brand-name products. Results vary. Program eligibility, covered medications, and terms are set by each manufacturer or program and change; check the program's own website for current information. Wegovy and Ozempic are trademarks of Novo Nordisk A/S. Zepbound, Mounjaro, and Trulicity are trademarks of Eli Lilly and Company. Transformation Health is not affiliated with or endorsed by these companies. Transformation Health does not accept payment from providers. How we make money.