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Mounjaro is an injectable drug doctors prescribe for treating type 2 diabetes. Without insurance, a person can expect to spend a lot on the drug.

Mounjaro is a drug that a person administers via injection once a week to treat type 2 diabetes. It may help control blood sugar levels.

However, without insurance, Mounjaro is costly.

In this article, we look at Mounjaro, who it is for, how much it costs without insurance, whether insurance covers it, and how to save. It also answers some frequently asked questions.

Mounjaro is treatment for type 2 diabetes with approval from the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). A person administers it via an injection under the skin once a week.

A doctor prescribes Mounjaro to control a person’s blood sugar levels. They may also offer recommendations on dietary changes and exercise plans.

In some cases, Mounjaro may help a person lose weight. However, it does not have FDA approval as a weight loss drug.

Mounjaro works by increasing the amount of insulin in the body, lowering the sugar levels that the liver produces. Additionally, it activates the receptors GIP and GLP-1. This slows down the rate food passes through the body, making a person feel full for longer.

Research from 2022 suggests Mounjaro was more effective than the other diabetes treatments the researchers tested. The researchers conclude the treatment is effective in managing blood sugar levels.

Mounjaro is suitable for individuals with type 2 diabetes who need help maintaining their blood sugar levels.

However, like many other medications, this medication comes with possible side effects, including:

  • nausea and vomiting
  • diarrhea
  • decreased appetite
  • constipation
  • abdominal pain and discomfort

A person should not use Mounjaro if they are allergic to tirzepatide or any other ingredients of Mounjaro. Additionally, individuals with a personal or family history of medullary thyroid carcinoma or multiple endocrine neoplasia type 2 should not use this medication.

The drug is also unsuitable for use in individuals with type 1 diabetes.

If people have had any of the following, they should discuss this with a doctor before taking Mounjaro:

  • pancreas problems
  • kidney disease
  • severe stomach problems
  • diabetic retinopathy

Using Mounjaro comes with some possible risks. Those that the manufacturer lists include:

  • a risk of thyroid cancer or tumors
  • inflammation of the pancreas
  • low blood sugar
  • allergic reactions
  • kidney problems
  • severe stomach problems
  • vision changes
  • gallbladder problems

A person must call a doctor immediately if they experience any of the above symptoms.

Without insurance, a person can expect to pay approximately $1,000 for four doses on Optum Perks.

Below is a selection of options for a person to buy Mounjaro.

Calibrate

Calibrate offers a program called The Metabolic Reset. This allows individuals with type 2 diabetes to receive prescription medication, including Mounjaro if appropriate, and one-to-one personalized video coaching. For those with insurance, Calibrate can help navigate this on an individual’s behalf.

One of Calibrate’s doctors can prescribe Mounjaro if they deem it necessary.

The program costs $1,749 upfront. Medication costs around $25 per month with insurance. Out-of-pocket costs for these medications range from $800 to $1,400 per month.

Ro

Ro is another telemedicine provider where a person can receive Mounjaro from a qualified doctor. Although the company discusses the weight loss benefits of Mounjaro, this drug does not qualify as part of Ro’s Body Program.

Ro’s doctors will prescribe Mounjaro to a person with type 2 diabetes if they feel it is appropriate. To do this, the individual fills in a questionnaire that a healthcare professional reviews. If they approve, they receive the prescription medication through the post discreetly.

Once a person signs up, Ro is free for consultations. The company does not state how much Mounjaro costs via its platform.

EverlyWell

Everlywell’s Weight Care+ Program provides individuals access to GLP-1 medications as a doctor prescribes, including Mounjaro. The program also provides one-to-one virtual visits with a clinician, at-home lab tests and supplements, and support for various health conditions.

The program costs $99 per month with an initial 12-month commitment or $139 per month with an initial 3-month commitment. However, this price does not include lab testing costs. Medication costs within this program range from $900 to $1,400 per month without insurance.

Life MD

Life MD has a Weight Management Program where a person can access medications, clinical guidance, metabolic testing, a weight loss tracker, and ongoing care.

Doctors within this program will prescribe Mounjaro if appropriate. The program also offers insurance assistance if necessary.

The program costs $129 per month. Prescription medications cost extra. However, the company does not specify a cost for these.

Plushcare

Plushcare allows individuals to book an online appointment with a doctor. In this appointment, doctors will discuss a person’s needs and prescribe Mounjaro if appropriate. If they have approval for a prescription, a person picks this up from a local pharmacy.

Plushcare charges $14.99 per month without insurance, with the first month free. The first visit costs $129, and repeat visits cost $99. With insurance, a person pays the same monthly cost but only pays copay for all visits.

Plushcare says the cost of Mounjaro varies depending on the pharmacy and insurance. However, the company says a person should expect to pay around $1,000 monthly without insurance.

Sesame Care

Sesame Care offers a service where a person can book a same-day online appointment with a doctor. If a doctor deems Mounjaro the appropriate treatment, a person can pick the prescription up from a nearby pharmacy on the same day.

Sesame Care also offers a Sesame Prescription Savings Card, which can help an individual save up to 80% on Rx medicines, including Mounjaro.

Sesame Care memberships cost $10.99 per month or $99 annually. However, the company does not estimate a cost for Mounjaro. This may vary according to the pharmacy.

Noom

Noom Med is a weight loss program.

It begins by carrying out an in-depth evaluation of an individual. Next, a person receives a one-to-one video call with a practitioner to discuss possible next steps. Using test results and family history information, a person then receives a care plan, which may include prescription medications such as Mounjaro.

Noom Med costs around $49 per month. It is unclear how much a person would need to pay for Mounjaro or other prescription medications.

Some insurance providers can help to cover the cost of Mounjaro. However, as it is a relatively new drug, not all insurance plans will cover this.

In most cases, insurance covers only a person with type 2 diabetes.

People can contact their insurance provider to find out if their insurance covers the cost of Mounjaro.

If their insurance provider covers the cost of Mounjaro, a person will save money on their prescription.

There is also a Mounjaro Savings Card where a person can receive up to 85% off. Depending on their eligibility, they may be able to pay as little as $25 per month for Mounjaro.

To qualify for this card, a person must:

  • be a resident of the United States or Puerto Rico
  • have a Mounjaro prescription for type 2 diabetes
  • have commercial health insurance that does not cover Mounjaro

A person can apply for the Mounjaro Savings Card.

In this section, we answer some frequently asked questions about Mounjaro.

Does Medicare cover Mounjaro?

In some circumstances, Medicare may cover an individual depending on their specific plan. A person can check with their Medicare provider directly.

What is a cheaper alternative to Mounjaro?

There is currently no lower-cost generic form of Mounjaro available.

However, some alternative drugs that an individual may find cheaper than this drug include:

  • Glucophage
  • Januvia
  • Ozempic
  • Victoza
  • Byetta
  • Trulicity
  • Rybelsus

How do you qualify for Mounjaro?

A person must have type 2 diabetes to qualify for Mounjaro. However, in some cases, doctors might prescribe it for individuals with a body mass index of 30 or higher.

Some doctors will only prescribe Mounjaro if other forms of medication have not worked.

Mounjaro is beneficial for managing blood sugar levels in individuals with type 2 diabetes. It can also help a person lose weight. However, individuals must have a prescription from a doctor to obtain Mounjaro.

Without insurance, Mounjaro can be costly. A person may need to pay over $1,000 for four doses. Not all insurance plans cover this medication as it is relatively new.

Sometimes, a person may be eligible for a Mounjaro Savings Card. This card allows individuals without insurance to save up to 85% on the drug.