Does the Wegovy or Zepbound savings card work with Medicare?
No. The makers’ own terms exclude government insurance: the Wegovy (semaglutide) and Zepbound (tirzepatide) savings cards can’t be used by anyone enrolled in Medicare, Medicaid, TRICARE, the VA or another government health program. People with Medicare can check the $50 Medicare GLP-1 Bridge, or pay the maker’s self-pay price outside their plan.
- GLP‑1 medicines are prescription-only in the US.
- The terms below are quoted from Novo Nordisk’s and Eli Lilly’s own savings pages, checked October 12, 2026. Makers can change them at any time.
- We don’t name or rank pharmacies or telehealth companies.
What do the savings card terms say?
Both makers’ terms exclude anyone with government health coverage, Medicare included.1,3
Novo Nordisk’s Wegovy terms: a patient “is not eligible if he/she is enrolled in any federal or state health care program with prescription drug coverage, such as Medicaid, Medicare, VA, DOD, TRICARE.”1 Its price guide puts it in 3 words: “Government beneficiaries excluded.”2
Eli Lilly’s Zepbound terms require that “you are not enrolled in any state, federal, or government funded healthcare program,” naming Medicaid, Medicare, Part D, Medicare Advantage, Medigap, DoD, VA and TRICARE.3 Lilly’s Foundayo card has the same exclusion.4
Can you pay the self-pay price if you have Medicare?
You can pay cash outside your plan, but you can’t bill Medicare for it, and it won’t count toward your Part D costs.1
Novo says its Wegovy self-pay offer is “not valid for prescriptions submitted for reimbursement” under Medicare, the VA, DoD, TRICARE or similar programs. People using it agree not to apply the cost toward any deductible or out-of-pocket requirement.1
Lilly’s Zepbound page lists self-pay KwikPen and vial prices, starting at $299, in its section for people with Medicare.3 Price details are in How much is Wegovy without insurance? and How much is Zepbound without insurance?
What is the Medicare option instead?
The Medicare GLP‑1 Bridge, from July 1, 2026 to December 31, 2027, charges a $50 monthly copay for Wegovy, Foundayo or the Zepbound KwikPen for people who meet its criteria.5
That $50 doesn’t count toward your Part D deductible or out-of-pocket cap either.6 It needs a prior authorization from your prescriber.5
See Who qualifies for the Medicare GLP-1 Bridge? and Guide 6.
Read the full picture
Related questions
Sources
- Novo Nordisk. Wegovy savings offer eligibility terms (commercial copay offer and self-pay offer). Maker’s terms page; plain text, no link to a purchase page.
- Novo Nordisk. Wegovy price guide: self-pay and copay with commercial insurance (US26NC00049, April 2026). Maker’s price document. novocare.com (PDF)
- Eli Lilly. Zepbound coverage and savings (patient page): Medicare section, commercial coverage without Zepbound, and savings card terms (“You are not enrolled in any state, federal, or government funded healthcare program…”). Maker’s page, checked Oct 12, 2026; plain text, no link to a purchase page.
- Eli Lilly. Foundayo coverage and savings: regular self-pay prices, temporary reductions through Dec 31, 2026, the 45-day refill condition, and savings card terms. Maker’s page, checked Oct 12, 2026; plain text, no link to a purchase page.
- Medicare.gov. Medicare GLP-1 Bridge: who qualifies, covered drugs, $50 monthly copayment, how to check (1-800-MEDICARE). Checked Oct 12, 2026. medicare.gov
- KFF. What to know about the BALANCE Model for GLP-1s in Medicare and Medicaid and the Medicare GLP-1 Bridge. Updated May 11, 2026. kff.org
Last checked Oct 12, 2026 · Next review due Apr 12, 2027 · Report an error
How this answer was made. Written by the GLP Guidebook team from the sources above, all checked on Oct 12, 2026. It’s general information, not medical advice. Talk to a doctor, pharmacist or other licensed prescriber before starting, stopping or changing any medicine. In an emergency, call 911. How we write