Mounjaro (tirzepatide) is a brand-name prescription medication. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved it to help improve blood sugar levels in adults with type 2 diabetes. This drug is meant to be used in combination with a healthy diet and exercise.

For more information about Mounjaro’s uses, refer to this article.

Drug details

Here are some details about Mounjaro:

Read on to learn about Mounjaro and cost, as well as how to save money on prescriptions.

As with all medications, the cost of Mounjaro can vary. Factors that may affect the price you’ll pay include:

  • your treatment plan
  • your insurance coverage
  • the pharmacy you use
  • whether Mounjaro has a savings program (see the “Financial and insurance assistance” section below)

To find out what the cost of Mounjaro will be for you, talk with your doctor, pharmacist, or insurance provider.

Note: If you have insurance, your insurance company may require prior authorization before it covers Mounjaro. This means the company and your doctor will discuss Mounjaro in regard to your treatment. The insurance company will then determine whether the medication is covered. If a drug requires prior authorization but you start treatment without the prior approval, you could pay the full cost of the medication. You can ask your insurance company whether Mounjaro requires prior authorization.

Here are answers to some frequently asked questions about drug cost and Mounjaro.

How can I determine Mounjaro’s cost with and without insurance?

If you have insurance that covers prescription drugs, contact your insurance provider. Ask whether Mounjaro is covered and what your cost per month may be.

If you don’t have insurance coverage, you can ask your pharmacist for a “cash price.” That’s the amount you’ll pay, out of pocket, without any discounts.

You may also qualify for the Mounjaro Savings Card program. See the “Financial and insurance assistance” section below for more details.

What is the cost of Mounjaro with Medicare?

Your cost for Mounjaro with Medicare depends on your specific Medicare plan and whether it covers the drug.

Contact your plan administrator to find out if Mounjaro is covered and what your cost may be.

Mounjaro is only available as a brand-name drug. It doesn’t come in a generic version. A generic drug is an exact copy of the active drug in a brand-name medication.

Generics tend to cost less than brand-name drugs.

WHY ARE COSTS DIFFERENT FOR BRAND-NAME DRUGS VS. GENERIC DRUGS?

Brand-name drugs can be expensive because of the research needed to test their safety and effectiveness. The manufacturer of a brand-name drug can sell it for up to 20 years. When the brand-name drug’s patent expires, multiple manufacturers can create generic versions. This marketplace competition may lead to lower costs for generics. Also, because generics contain the same active ingredients as brand-name drugs, they don’t require the same costly testing.

If you take Mounjaro long term, you may be able to lower its cost in the following ways.

Getting a 3-month supply

You may be able to get a 90-day supply of Mounjaro. If approved by your insurance company, getting a 90-day supply of the drug could reduce your number of trips to the pharmacy and help lower the cost. If you’re interested in this option, check with your doctor, pharmacist, or insurance provider.

Using a mail-order pharmacy

Mounjaro may be available through a mail-order pharmacy. Using this type of service may help lower the drug’s cost and allow you to receive your medication without leaving home. Some Medicare plans may help cover the cost of mail-order medications. You may also be able to get a 90-day supply of the drug via mail order.

If you don’t have health insurance, talk with your doctor or pharmacist. They may be able to suggest online pharmacy options that could work for you.

If you need financial support to pay for Mounjaro, or if you need help understanding your insurance coverage, help is available. For example:

  • A program called the Mounjaro Savings Card is available for Mounjaro. For more information and to find out if you’re eligible for support, call 800-545-5979 or visit the program website.
  • Some websites provide details about drug assistance programs, ways to make the most of your insurance coverage, and links to savings cards and other services. Two such websites are:

To learn more about saving money on prescriptions with or without insurance, check out this article.

Now that you’ve learned about cost and Mounjaro, you may still have some questions. Talk with your doctor or pharmacist, who can provide personalized guidance about cost issues related to Mounjaro. However, if you have health insurance, you’ll need to talk with your insurance provider to learn the actual cost you would pay for Mounjaro.

Here are some other resources you may find helpful:

Disclaimer: Medical News Today has made every effort to make certain that all information is factually correct, comprehensive, and up to date. However, this article should not be used as a substitute for the knowledge and expertise of a licensed healthcare professional. You should always consult your doctor or another healthcare professional before taking any medication. The drug information contained herein is subject to change and is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, warnings, drug interactions, allergic reactions, or adverse effects. The absence of warnings or other information for a given drug does not indicate that the drug or drug combination is safe, effective, or appropriate for all patients or all specific uses.