GLP-1 cost calculator
Estimate what you might pay each month and across the year, depending on how your medication is covered.
Out-of-pocket cost for GLP-1 medications varies widely depending on whether you're covered through the Bridge program, paying Part D coinsurance, or paying the full cash price. Adjust the options below to see an illustrative estimate. These figures are approximate and for education only.
Estimates only — your plan's tier, deductible, and pharmacy determine your actual cost.
Estimated copay once Bridge prior authorization is approved.
How GLP-1 costs work under Medicare
Under Medicare Part D, your cost moves through phases — a deductible, an initial coverage period, and (as of 2025) an annual out-of-pocket cap established by the Inflation Reduction Act. Once you hit that cap, you pay $0 for covered drugs for the rest of the year. The Bridge program is designed to bring qualifying GLP-1 prescriptions under this Part D umbrella so the cap applies.
- Cash price for brand GLP-1s commonly runs ~$1,000–$1,350/month without coverage.
- Manufacturer savings cards generally exclude people with Medicare or other government coverage.
- Bridge / Part D coverage can dramatically lower your share once prior authorization is approved.
Sources: CMS.gov Part D cost phases and the Medicare prescription drug out-of-pocket cap.
The four scenarios explained
The calculator lets you compare four ways of paying, because the same medication can cost wildly different amounts depending on how it's covered. Here's what each option in the dropdown actually means.
| Scenario | What it represents | Typical monthly cost |
|---|---|---|
| Bridge program | Your cost after a Bridge prior authorization is approved | Flat $50 |
| Part D coinsurance | A covered GLP-1 under Part D without the Bridge copay, before hitting the annual cap | Varies by tier |
| Manufacturer savings | A commercial copay card — shown for comparison only; usually not available to Medicare members | Low, but often ineligible |
| Full cash price | Paying retail with no coverage at all | ~$1,000–$1,350 |
Note: Cash figures are typical brand-price ranges, not quotes. Your plan's tier, deductible, and pharmacy set your real number.
How to read your estimate
Treat the numbers above as a planning range, not a bill. Two things move the real figure most. First, your plan's formulary tier: the same drug can sit on a preferred or non-preferred tier, changing your coinsurance. Second, where you are in the Part D year: before you meet your deductible you may pay more, and once you reach the annual out-of-pocket cap you pay nothing further for covered drugs. The Bridge copay is the most predictable of the four because it's a flat amount that doesn't shift with tiers or phases.
If the Bridge scenario shows the lowest cost — and for most eligible people it does — the practical next step is confirming you qualify and getting the prior authorization approved. You can check your eligibility in about a minute, then follow the prior authorization guide to reach that $50 copay.
Frequently asked questions
Why is the cash price so much higher than the Bridge copay?
Brand-name GLP-1 medications carry a retail price around $1,000–$1,350 a month. The Bridge doesn't lower the drug's list price — it changes what you pay by routing coverage through your Part D plan and capping your share at a flat $50 once you're approved.
Can I use a manufacturer savings card instead?
Usually not if you have Medicare. Commercial copay cards for drugs like Wegovy and Zepbound typically exclude people with Medicare or other government coverage, which is why they're shown here only for comparison. For most Medicare beneficiaries, the Bridge copay is the lower and more reliable path.
Will my cost change during the year?
Under standard Part D, yes — you move through a deductible and coverage phases until you reach the annual out-of-pocket cap, after which covered drugs are $0. The flat $50 Bridge copay is designed to stay predictable regardless of those phases.