For a seemingly simple question — “how much does Trulicity cost?” — there isn’t a simple answer. When determining your actual price, there are lots of different factors that come into play, from insurance coverage to savings programs. Here’s a deep dive into what you may pay for Trulicity, the GLP-1 approved for type 2 diabetes, and ways to make the cost as low as possible.
How much is Trulicity without insurance?
According to Trulicity’s manufacturer, Eli Lilly and Company, the current retail list price of Trulicity is $987.19 per month if you are paying out of pocket. This can vary slightly, however, depending on the particular pharmacy you choose. This price is comparable to other GLP-1 medications for type 2 diabetes, such as Ozempic (semaglutide).
How much is Trulicity with insurance?
Each insurance plan is different in terms of coverage, deductibles, and copayments. According to Trulicity’s manufacturer, 92% of people with prescription drug coverage pay between $0 and $30 per month for the medication and the rest pay an average of $239 per month.
Does insurance cover Trulicity?
Again, this depends on your specific carrier, but most insurance plans cover Trulicity when it’s prescribed for its FDA-approved indication: to treat type 2 diabetes, says Dr. Supriya Rao, M.D., a board-certified physician in internal medicine, gastroenterology, obesity medicine, and lifestyle medicine in Boston.
“If you have the indication of diabetes and insurance, or even Medicaid and Medicare, you will get it covered for a reasonable amount of money,” Rao says. That said, if Trulicity is prescribed off-label for weight loss, it’s unlikely your insurance company will cover it, says Dr. Michael Glickman, M.D., a board-certified physician in obesity, family and lifestyle medicine, and the founder of Revolution Medicine, Health & Fitness in Washington, D.C.
Does Medicaid cover Trulicity?
Medicaid, the government program that provides health coverage to low-income Americans, covers Trulicity when it’s prescribed for type 2 diabetes. According to the manufacturer, most people on Medicaid can expect to pay less than $10 per month for their Trulicity dosage. And some states will even eliminate the copayment completely. Check your state’s Medicaid plan for specifics.
Does Medicare cover Trulicity?
For those age 65 and older, Medicare Part D — the add-on drug plan of Medicare — covers Trulicity when it’s prescribed for diabetes. How much you’ll pay out of pocket depends on if you’ve hit your deductible for Part D or reached the cap on coverage yet. According to the drug manufacturer, about 70% of Medicare patients will pay between $0 and $100 per month. The rest will pay an average of $207 per month. The Medicare Extra Help program can further lower the cost of Trulicity to about $4 to $9 per prescription for those who qualify.
How to save on Trulicity without insurance
The high retail price for a month’s supply of Trulicity is enough to prohibit many without coverage from taking Trulicity. But there are ways to save money and make Trulicity more affordable.
Telehealth prescription services
Scheduling a telehealth appointment with a licensed healthcare provider who can prescribe Trulicity — like those at WeightWatchers — may save you money. Some research has suggested telehealth visits may be more affordable, as telehealth practices usually have fewer overhead costs and be able to see more patients in a timeframe. Your WeightWatchers Clinic membership can also connect you to an Insurance Coordinator, who will help you figure out whether Trulicity is covered by your plan and what other cost-saving options are available to you.
Lilly Cares Foundation Patient Assistance Program
Lilly Cares, Inc., is a nonprofit program that helps qualifying U.S. patients with financial need get their Eli Lilly and Company prescriptions, including Trulicity, for free for up to 12 months.
To be eligible for Lilly Cares program, patients must meet the following criteria:
- You’re a permanent U.S. resident (including Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands)
- You have a prescription for Trulicity (or other covered Lilly medication)
- You’re not enrolled in Medicaid, full Low Income Subsidy (LIS, “Extra Help”), or Veterans (VA) Benefits
- You meet the various insurance requirements for the medication for which you are applying
- You meet the household income guidelines, which range from $45,180 for a one-person household to $125,880 for a six-person household
Trulicity savings card
Lilly also offers a savings card for eligible patients that can lower the cost of Trulicity by about 25%. There are some limits, though. The card cannot be used by those who have Medicare, Medicaid, or TRICARE plans, even if they are paying out of pocket. It also cannot be used in combination with private insurance plans.
Are there cheaper alternatives to Trulicity?
Other medications are FDA-approved to treat type 2 diabetes. While some will cost roughly the same as Trulicity per month, there are also other less expensive options.
GLP-1 drugs
You won’t find much difference in the list prices for other injectable GLP-1 medications for type 2 diabetes, including Ozempic (semaglutide), Mounjaro (tirzepatide), and Victoza (liraglutide). “All of the GLPs are in a very similar price range,” Glickman says. “Most of them are about $1,000 or more for a month’s supply, so you don’t tend to see a ton of savings switching from one brand to another.”
There is one GLP-1, liraglutide, that comes in a generic form, meaning it costs less than brand name drugs. Generic liraglutide was approved to treat type 2 diabetes by the FDA in late 2024, so talk with your provider to see if that may be a good option for your health goals.
Non-GLP-1 alternatives
Prescription non-GLP-1 medications can be a more affordable alternative to GLP-1 drugs. Many of these medications have been on the market for longer than the newer GLP-1 drugs and come in generic form, which are less expensive than brand-name medication. Glickman specifically mentions Metformin as being a safe and effective alternative to GLP-1 medications for type 2 diabetes.
Other common options include the following medication types:
- Dipeptidyl peptidase 4 (DPP-4) inhibitors
- Sodium-glucose cotransporter 2 (SGLT2) inhibitors
- Sulfonylureas
- Thiazolidinediones (TZDs)
The bottom line
Trulicity can be very expensive without insurance, but most insurance plans will cover the prescription when it’s prescribed for its FDA-approved purpose: to treat type 2 diabetes. The manufacturer, Eli Lilly and Company, also offers savings and assistance programs that can make Trulicity more affordable. Medicaid and Medicare will likely cover a prescription for Trulicity, but the exact cost varies from state to state and plan to plan. Other GLP-1 medications for type 2 diabetes cost about the same per month, but non-GLP-1 medications can be far less costly and are more readily available.
FAQs
Your monthly out-of-pocket cost will depend on your insurance coverage and other specifics, such as pharmacy fees. The manufacturer’s current retail list price for Trulicity not covered by insurance is $987.19 per month.
Trulicity is expensive for a few reasons, Rao and Glickman explain: It’s delivered via an auto-injector pen, which is more expensive than oral medications, and it does not yet come in a generic form, so you have to buy the brand name.
How much you will pay for either drug depends on a few factors, including your insurance coverage. Both drugs have roughly the same retail list price.
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This content is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. It should not be regarded as a substitute for guidance from your healthcare provider.