GLP-1 price traps: the price you see vs the price you pay
Six places where the headline price and the real cost part ways, each with the sentence that sets it.
1. The intro price lasts two fills
Novo Nordisk's lowest injection price is for new patients, for two fills. Patients new to the Wegovy® Savings Offer or NovoCare® Pharmacy pay $199 for each month of 0.25 mg & 0.5 mg. Offer for 2 monthly fills through December 31, 2026,
novocare.com, Sep 27, 2026
2. The first month of membership is not the price
- PlushCare: $19.99 per month ($0 for the first one). plushcare.com
- Noom Med: $129 per month ($39 for the first one). noom.com
- Ro: $149 per month ($39 for the first one). ro.co
- WeightWatchers Med+: $74 per month ($25 for the first one). weightwatchers.com
3. A "month" can be 28 days
Lilly and Novo Nordisk price a fill as a "month" of 28 days for the injections, so a year takes 13 fills, not 12. Month is defined as 28-days and 4 single-dose vials
lilly.com, Sep 28, 2026 a “1-Month” fill shall refer to 1 box of 4 single-dose prefilled pens equivalent to a 28-Day Supply
novocare.com, Sep 30, 2026
4. The starting dose is the cheapest
- Zepbound injection, vial at LillyDirect: $3,887 for 52 weeks at 2.5 mg, $5,837 at 7.5 mg and up.
- Zepbound injection, pen at LillyDirect: $3,887 for 52 weeks at 2.5 mg, $5,837 at 7.5 mg and up.
- Foundayo pill at LillyDirect: $1,937 for 52 weeks at 0.8 mg, $3,887 at 9 mg and up.
- Wegovy injection, pen at NovoCare Pharmacy: $4,237 for 52 weeks at 0.25 mg, $5,187 at 7.2 mg HD.
- Wegovy pill at NovoCare Pharmacy: $1,937 for 52 weeks at 1.5 mg, $3,887 at 9 mg and up.
5. Some prices need an on-time refill
- Zepbound KwikPen at 7.5 mg and up:
You will automatically receive the $449 purchase offer on your first purchase of the 7.5 mg, 10 mg, 12.5 mg, or 15 mg Zepbound single-patient-use KwikPen.
lilly.com, Sep 27, 2026you must complete your refill purchase of the Zepbound single-patient-use KwikPen within 45 days of the delivery/received date of your previous Zepbound single-patient-use KwikPen prescription fill.
lilly.com, Sep 27, 2026 - Foundayo at 14.5 and 17.2 mg:
You will automatically receive the $299 purchase offer on your first purchase of the 14.5 mg or 17.2 mg Foundayo dosages.
lilly.com, Sep 27, 2026you must complete your refill purchase of Foundayo within 45 days of the delivery/received date of your previous Foundayo prescription fill.
lilly.com, Sep 27, 2026 - Self-pay savings may not come off at the register:
Savings may not be applied at the point of sale and may require further action from you to obtain the applicable savings.
lilly.com, Sep 27, 2026
6. Savings cards end, and some cannot be combined
- Zepbound:
Card expires and savings end on 12/31/2026.
lilly.com, Sep 27, 2026 - Foundayo:
Card expires and savings end on 12/31/2026.
lilly.com, Sep 27, 2026 - Mounjaro:
Card expires and savings end on 12/31/2026.
mounjaro.lilly.com, Sep 27, 2026Card savings cannot be combined or utilized with any other program, discount, discount card, cash discount card, coupon, incentive, or similar offer involving Mounjaro.
mounjaro.lilly.com, Sep 27, 2026 - Medicare's GLP-1 Bridge copay:
Coupons and discount programs may not be applied to Medicare GLP-1 Bridge claims, regardless of funding source.
cms.gov, Sep 27, 2026
The price table already counts the intro prices, 28-day fills and memberships in every 52-week total: see it. Savings cards in full: check yours.