How Much Does Semaglutide Cost Per Month? The Financial Side of Weight Loss Medications

Semaglutide, an FDA (Food and Drug Administration) approved medication used for the management of type 2 diabetes and off-label for weight loss has risen in popularity for its effectiveness. This medication is commonly known under the brand name, Ozempic. If you’re looking into speaking with a physician about starting Semaglutide injections, you may be wondering how much it costs. We will discuss the price and accommodations extensively below. 

Understanding Semaglutide And Its Role In Weight-Loss

Semaglutide works by encouraging the pancreas to secrete more insulin when it senses high levels of glucose in the body. It also works by making you feel less hungry throughout the day and decreasing the desire to eat as often.

Semaglutide is an injectable medication administered at three different, gradually increasing doses of (typically) 0.5mg, 1mg, and 2mg over time. In order to be considered for treatment you must meet the following criteria: 

• Body Mass Index of 30 or higher
• Body Mass Index of 27 or higher with at least one weight-related condition

Ahara Med offers two physician-guided weight loss programs with the use of compounded semaglutide or compounded tirzepatide. These two medications are similar but not completely the same. As mentioned above, semaglutide is the active ingredient in Ozempic and Wegovy whereas tirzepatide is the main ingredient in drugs such as Mounjaro and Zepbound. These medications act in similar ways but tirzepatide is a dual GIP/GLP-1 agonist that works by regulating appetite, blood glucose levels, and promoting weight loss. These two programs also include registered dietitians who can consult with you regarding best dietary practices to promote healthy eating habits and encourage a better lifestyle. 

Breaking Down The Cost: Semaglutide Price Per Month

Branded semaglutide is on the pricier end of the spectrum at roughly $935 per month. Meanwhile, Ahara’s compounded semaglutide typically costs between $165 and $195 per month. 

If you’re wondering, “How do Ahara’s compounded semaglutide injections differ from brand name semaglutide and why are they less expensive?”...here’s your answer: there is very little to no difference as they both contain the same active ingredient. Like with many products, we often pay more for the brand name than the actual value—brand name semaglutide is no exception. 

Since Ahara’s compounded semaglutide isn’t tied to a brand, the monthly cost is significantly lower than its branded competitors. At Ahara Med, you can achieve the same weight loss results as with brand-name semaglutide—without the hefty price tag. However, keep in mind that when semaglutide is prescribed off-label for weight loss, insurance typically doesn’t cover the cost, meaning you may need to pay out-of-pocket.

Semaglutide Cost Without Insurance

While semaglutide is costly without insurance, it is possible to receive it without breaking the bank. At Ahara Med, your first month of semaglutide is rated at $195. All subsequent months are $255, all-inclusive with no hidden fees. 

You read that correctly—we do not charge you with any unexpected fees. The price you see on the website is the price you will pay. Ahara Med also offers the added convenience of online service in which you will receive your prescription online. After receiving your prescription, you can continue to order it (with free shipping) straight to your door. 

Semaglutide Cost With Insurance

Semaglutide may be considered “investigational” or “off-label” depending on the brand name, formulation, strength, and diagnosis. Because of this, it may be difficult to get coverage from your insurance provider. However, it is not impossible. Depending on your insurance coverage, whether commercial, private, or government, you can visit your insurance provider’s website and discover if your provider will cover it. Ahara Med’s prices for semaglutide are, as discussed above, exactly as they appear on our website. However, you will need to pay these prices out-of-pocket. It is also important to see if compounded semaglutide is available in your state as its availability varies by location. To find out if compounded semaglutide is available in your state, you can visit our site and reach out to our support team for more information. 

Furthermore, other insurance options such as Medicaid and Medicare also aid in lowering the costs of semaglutide injections. Many Medicare plans will cover Semaglutide, however, the price you pay may vary based on your copay and whether or not you have met your deductible. To find out if your Medicare insurance plan covers Semaglutide, you can look up your plan’s coverages and find a list of which medication your medicare plan may pay for. If Semaglutide is not specifically listed, but other GLP-1 agonists are listed with similar effects, you may discuss with your provider what the best path for you may be. 

Medicaid programs have similar coverages and can offer benefits similar to Medicare. If you are a Medicaid recipient and want to know if your plan covers semaglutide, you may visit your government Medicaid website, find your plan, and find a list of medications covered by your plan. As with other insurance options, there are specific criteria you need to meet to be covered by Medicaid. Furthermore, you may also need prior authorization from your insurance company before you begin semaglutide if it is prescribed by your doctor. 

Potential Results with Semaglutide

A common question most people have is “How much weight can you lose if you are on semaglutide for 3 months?” The answer to this is unfortunately not one-size-fits-all as every person is different. However, we can discuss varying results and real-life examples from clinical trials to help provide answers. 

According to a retrospective review (a clinical trial study of past information) done by the Mayo Clinic, people who received the highest doses of semaglutide at 1.7mg or 2.4mg had an average weight loss of 6.9% at 3 months when compared to people who received the lowest doses of semaglutide at 0.25mg, 0.5mg, or 1mg. The average weight loss percentage of those who received low doses was 5.1% after 3 months of use. 

To obtain this information, the researchers received permission to review the medical records of 175 people at the Mayo Clinic. These participants received semaglutide injections for weight loss from January 1st, 2021 to March 15th, 2022. For each patient’s medical record to be selected for the study, they had to meet specific criteria such as NO prior bariatric surgery, NO other FDA-approved weight loss medications, and NO active malignancies or pregnancies. They also had to have at minimum a 3-month follow-up visit documented in the medical record and a BMI (Body Mass Index) of 27 or more. These strict guidelines were enforced to remove any potential interference from other forms of weight loss management. 

Furthermore, a study discussed in the New England Journal of Medicine also confirms the same conclusions. This study on semaglutide for weight loss split participants into one of two groups: semaglutide injections or placebo (no active medication). Both groups included lifestyle intervention. The results of this study showed those who received semaglutide paired with lifestyle modification had better results when compared to the placebo group over the course of 68 weeks. This means that more people randomly placed in the semaglutide group achieved weight loss than those who received the placebo. 

For real-life examples of people who have successfully lost weight with semaglutide injections, check out our article “How Much Weight Can You Lose on Ozempic.” These include women such as Holly Figeroa O’Reilly (Seattle chocolatier), Emily Simpson (Real Housewives of Orange County), and Barbie Jackson-Williams (a woman from Iowa). These women began using semaglutide for weight loss paired with lifestyle interventions and found success in meeting their weight-loss goals. Not only did they meet their weight-loss goals, but they also reported maintaining their weight after discontinuing semaglutide injections with lifestyle modifications. 

People who have received semaglutide injections also report finding that they do not think of food as much as they did prior to beginning this treatment. Dr. Pepper Schwartz, a marriage expert on the television show Married at First Sight, also made this comment when she opened up about her weight loss journey with Ozempic. 

To conclude, semaglutide injections, while pricey, are not impossible to receive. The cost for a one-month supply of semaglutide is roughly $935, however, Ahara Med offers weight loss options at competitive prices (first month $195)  without the price of branding, so you’re paying exactly the number you see. Our compounded semaglutide and compounded tirzepatide are both available weight-loss management options and can be discussed with our providers online. 

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