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Zepbound (tirzepatide) is an FDA-approved medication for weight management. People will need a prescription to buy this medication, and several telemedicine companies offer doctor-led prescription and lifestyle support.
The Food and Drug Administration (FDA states that there is currently a shortage of Zepbound, which may mean it will be difficult to find a pharmacy that can dispense the medication. Healthcare professionals may recommend other FDA-approved weight management medication, such as Wegovy, or prescribe similar drugs off-label, such as Ozempic or Mounjaro.
Some pharmacies may offer compounded versions of GLP-1 medication. These compounded medications do not have FDA approval and may cause unintentional side effects.
Medical News Today carefully vets all the telemedicine companies that appear in our articles. When looking for the best and safest places to buy Zepbound online, we considered:
Licensed healthcare professionals: All the services provide access to healthcare professionals who are licensed to practice in most states and are able to issue valid prescriptions.
Ongoing support and care: It is important to have regular check-ins with healthcare professionals when starting a new medication, and all the services in this article provide near-instant access to the clinicians on their platform.
Insurance coverage: While insurance companies are unlikely to cover weight management programs, we chose telehealth services that will help people navigate their insurance policy to provide as much coverage for medication as possible.
Medications available: Zepbound may not always be available, especially as there is currently a shortage of tirzepatide, the drug’s main ingredient. We chose telehealth companies that also offer safe and effective alternatives.
According to Zepbound’s manufacturer, people with commercial insurance that covers the medication may be able to pay as little as $25 for a 1-month or 3-month prescription with a savings card.
People without insurance can also benefit from a Zepbound savings card, paying $550 for a 1-month supply of medication.
People with other types of insurance, such as through government or federal aid, will need to check their insurance policy to determine how much Zepbound will cost.
According to Optum Perks, a free online search engine that provides coupons, one package of four pens in Zepbound’s lowest dose will cost between $1,000 and $1,100, depending on which pharmacy a person uses.
Zepbound is an FDA-approved medication for weight loss, which means that commercial insurance companies that provide coverage for weight management may also cover part of the cost of medication. Many telehealth companies will assist with insurance coverage at no extra cost if a person enrolls in their weight management program.
Most insurance plans will require prior authorization before agreeing to cover this medication. Healthcare professionals will need to submit this authorization request along with specific codes that depend on each person’s circumstances and why they require the medication. Zepbound’s manufacturer provides detailed information that can help people navigate this process.
Government and federal aid and coverage
If a person is on government or federal aid, such as Medicare or Medicaid, it may be harder to gain insurance coverage for the cost of medication.
The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) recently released a memo stating that Medicare Part D will cover some anti-obesity drugs if they also have FDA approval to treat diabetes or reduce the risk of major cardiovascular events. This means that while Medicare will most likely not cover Zepbound, it may cover Mounjaro, which contains the same active ingredient, tirzepatide.
Medicaid coverage will differ depending on which state a person lives in. If Zepbound is on that state’s Preferred Drug List (PDL), people can use Medicaid for the drug without prior authorization. Otherwise, they will need to go through the prior authorization process to see if their state’s Medicaid program will help cover the cost.
Some Medigap and Medicare Advantage plans may cover the cost of Zepbound for people who are retired or registered for the medication.
Yes, a person can order Zepbound online through telehealth services.
Many telehealth companies offer weight management programs that provide access to medication, alongside other tools for sustainable weight loss. As Zepbound is a prescription medication, all reputable companies will require people to attend a virtual consultation with a healthcare professional.
No, Zepbound is a prescription medication, so it is not possible to buy Zepbound over the counter.
People should avoid companies and pharmacies claiming to sell Zepbound over the counter, as it is very likely that they are selling counterfeit and potentially dangerous medication.
Zepbound and Ozempic both belong to a class of drugs called GLP-1, which can help manage diabetes symptoms and can reduce a person’s appetite.
The FDA has approved Zepbound for weight management, whereas Ozempic only has FDA approval for diabetes management.
Zepbound is a “dual-agonist drug,” whereas Ozempic is a “single-agonist drug.” Recent evidence suggests that dual-agonist drugs may have greater benefits for weight reduction.
It is unlikely that Medicare will pay for Zepbound.
While CMS has recently released a memo encouraging Medicare Part D to cover anti-obesity medication, it will only do so if the medication can also help manage diabetes symptoms and reduce the risk of cardiovascular events. Zepbound only has FDA approval for weight management, not diabetes treatment.
It is possible to buy Zepbound online. Many telehealth companies provide access to healthcare professionals who can prescribe Zepbound.
Many insurance companies do not cover healthcare with telemedicine companies, but the services may be able to work with a person’s insurance to provide coverage for medications. Many programs will also provide additional resources, such as coaching and tracking tools.
Medical News Today has strict sourcing guidelines and draws only from peer-reviewed studies, academic research institutions, and medical journals and associations. We avoid using tertiary references. We link primary sources — including studies, scientific references, and statistics — within each article and also list them in the resources section at the bottom of our articles. You can learn more about how we ensure our content is accurate and current by reading our editorial policy.
