Slimmer Prices Planned for Weight Loss Drugs in 2026

GLP-1 drug costs are dropping, and coverage could expand.

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Edited by other Published Nov 7, 2025 People taking GLP-1 meds could see costs drop in 2026, thanks to a new federal deal with Eli Lilly and Novo Nordisk, the makers of Ozempic, Wegovy, Mounjaro and Zepbound. If you’re paying cash for a GLP-1, prices will fall to $350 per month or lower, according to a White House press release, with reports that it could trend down to $245 within two years. The pill version of Wegovy — pending approval from the Food and Drug Administration — could cost about $150 per month. That’s a shift from today’s prices, where most GLP-1 drugs list for more than $1,000. Even warehouse stores like Sam’s Club and Costco sell Ozempic and Wegovy for $499 out of pocket. Enrolled in Medicare? Weight-loss drugs will be priced at $245 with a $50 monthly copay, according to the announcement. But the bigger news is that you might get coverage at all — to date, Medicare has covered GLP-1 drugs for people with diabetes or cardiovascular health risks, but legally it can’t cover them for weight loss. Although the government can’t change Medicare policy overnight, they can implement temporary pilot programs that test changes in a Medicare law, says Juliette Cubanski, deputy director of the Program on Medicare Policy for KFF. “Absent a change in law, they don’t have the authority to expand this coverage unless they’re using this type of demonstration authority," she says. This lower-cost GLP-1 bonanza will roll out next year through TrumpRx.gov, a new government website where consumers will be able to buy medications directly from manufacturers. It’s still unclear how (or if) this deal will affect what people pay through their health insurance. “It will depend on what type of insurance a person has,” says Stacie Dusetzina, a professor of health policy at Vanderbilt University Medical Center. For example, she says, Eli Lilly reported that these lower prices won’t be available in the commercial market. “That may mean that commercial plans will take steps to limit coverage or to consider ways to encourage their members to purchase the drugs outside of insurance,” Dusetzina says. About 1 in 9 Americans reported using a GLP-1 agonist in 2025, according to data from research organization Rand, and another 14% are interested in taking it. Although these drugs were originally used to treat diabetes and later for weight loss, research has suggested that they also have positive effects on inflammation, addiction, migraines, sleep apnea and dementia, among other conditions.

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Explore more on About the author WMS™ Kate Ashford is a writer and spokesperson for NerdWallet. She is a wealth management specialist (WMS)™ and certified senior advisor (CSA)® and has more than 20 years of experience writing about personal finance. Previously, she was a freelance writer for both consumer and business publications, and her work has been published by the BBC, Forbes, Money, AARP, LearnVest and Parents, among others. She has a degree from the University of Virginia and a master’s degree in journalism from Northwestern’s Medill School of Journalism. Kate has been quoted by outlets including the Associated Press, MarketWatch, NBC and Fortune. She is based in New York. Published in How to Pay Off Debt: Top Strategies for 2026 Credit Score Ranges: What They Mean and How They Work How to Budget Money in 5 Steps 28 Proven Ways to Save Money Get Your Free Credit Score By NerdWallet How to Pay Off Debt: Top Strategies for 2026 By Lauren Schwahn, Jackie Veling 50/30/20 Budget Calculator By Amanda Barroso, Elizabeth Ayoola