Access to GLP-1 medications is about to get easier for 50% of Americans. Recent agreements between the federal government and leading pharmaceutical manufacturers, Novo Nordisk (maker of Ozempic, Wegovy) and Eli Lilly (maker of Mounjaro, Zepbound), will significantly reduce the cost of these drugs for Medicare and Medicaid patients, as well as for those paying out of pocket. Novo Nordisk has also announced additional discounts for starter doses of its injectable.

What’s Changing

Under the new pricing structure, Medicare beneficiaries will pay no more than a $50 monthly copay for GLP-1 injectables such as Wegovy and Zepbound, while Medicaid patients will typically pay nothing. For self-pay patients, the average monthly cost will start around $350 and is expected to drop to $250 within two years. 

The agreements also include provisions for future oral GLP-1 medications, which, if approved, will launch at $149 for starting doses. Current list prices for injectable weight loss medication, in comparison, often exceeds $1,000 per month. An official at Lilly stated that they have applied for a “priority voucher” which would expedite the approval of its investigational pill orforglipron.

Novo Nordisk is also offering an introductory deal of $199 for the first two months of Wegovy and Ozempic at the lowest doses, with subsequent doses priced at $349. These discounts are available through direct-to-consumer channels and major retail partners, including Costco, GoodRx and Weight watchers, until the end of March 2026.

Who Gains Access to GLP-1s

One in eight Americans has taken a GLP-1 medication, according to a KFF Health Tracking Poll. These changes give access to millions more people in the U.S. Medicare program for those aged 65 and over and the Medicaid program for people with low incomes. Together, Medicare and Medicaid provide health coverage for nearly half of all Americans.

Medicare has not generally covered the drugs for obesity, while Medicaid’s state-specific coverage has varied. Now, coverage for GLP-1s is expected to apply to overweight patients with prediabetes or heart problems, obese patients with comorbidities and severely obese patients. 

Cash pay patients who have already been paying hundreds of dollars a month for these medications will benefit from reduced prices, making it easier to reach their desired weight loss goals or maintain their results. GLP-1s are intended to be taken long-term, with reported high weight regain after stopping these medications. The new prices help the people who need them stay on them for longer.

Why It Matters

The American Medical Association has described this expanded access as a “transformative step in the battle against chronic disease and obesity.” For patients struggling with obesity and related conditions, these drugs can be life-changing.

For aesthetic and longevity-focused practices, this development signals a new era of integrated care. As more patients gain access to GLP-1 medications, providers can expect increased interest in complementary treatments that enhance overall wellness and appearance. These medications align with the growing trend of addressing health from the inside out.

Medical spas offering weight management programs, nutritional counseling, or regenerative treatments may find new opportunities to collaborate with prescribing providers or incorporate these therapies into broader wellness plans. The emphasis on whole-body health resonates strongly with the industry’s shift toward comprehensive, preventive care.

AmSpa has been covering the evolving access and regulations surrounding weight loss medications since they exploded onto the wellness scene. For more on semaglutide and tirzepatide use in medical spas and aesthetic practices, including information about compounding pharmacies and how to develop a managed medical weight loss program in your aesthetic practice, visit our resource page: Medical Weight Loss in a Med Spa Practice.

Stay tuned for a conversation on AmSpa's Medical Spa Insider podcast about the aesthetic impact of medication-driven weight loss and how to support aesthetic patients along their weight loss journeys.