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GLP-1 Calculators

GLP-1 Monthly Budget Calculator 2026 — All-In Cost with Labs and Visits

All-in monthly cost across six line items: medication, telehealth, provider visits, labs, supplements, and injection supplies. Plus 1-year and 5-year totals.

Updated April 2026

Medical disclaimer: This tool is for informational purposes. Not medical advice. Consult your healthcare provider before starting, stopping, or changing any medication. Drug prices, savings cards, and coverage policies change frequently — verify current pricing directly with the manufacturer or your pharmacy.

Your inputs

Results

All-in monthly
$621
$7,448 / year
Annual
$7,448
5-year total
$37,240
Don't forget: obesity medicine is usually chronic. Build the budget around maintenance, not a 12-month course. Budget a 10-15% annual price creep on branded pens.

The six recurring line items most patients miss

  1. Medication: $25–$1,349/mo depending on path.
  2. Telehealth subscription: $99–$299/mo if the drug price doesn’t include visits.
  3. Provider visits: quarterly, $75–$300 each.
  4. Labs: $150–$800/year.
  5. Supplements: $30–$80/mo (D3, B12, omega-3, electrolytes, protein powder).
  6. Injection supplies: $10–$25/mo for vials; $0 for pens.

Four common patient paths, all-in

Path A: Commercial covered, Wegovy $25 copay

  • Drug $25 + visits $25 + labs $15 + supplements $40 = $105/mo, $6,300 over 5 years.

Path B: Commercial denied, LillyDirect Zepbound

  • Drug $499 (10 mg) + visits $50 + labs $20 + supplements $40 + supplies $15 = $624/mo, $37,440 over 5 years.

Path C: Telehealth compounded semaglutide

  • Drug+visit bundle $299 + labs $25 + supplements $40 + supplies $15 = $379/mo, $22,740 over 5 years.

Path D: Uninsured Wegovy full list

  • Drug $1,349 + visits $83 + labs $50 + supplements $40 = $1,522/mo — not sustainable for most households.

The five-year trap

The biggest financial mistake is budgeting for a “weight-loss course” instead of a chronic medication. STEP 4 showed two-thirds regain within a year of stopping. Plan for 5 years minimum. If the Path B $624/month isn’t sustainable for 60 months, either the price path has to change (PA appeal, manufacturer assistance) or the dose has to change (5 mg maintenance is cheaper than 15 mg).

Prior auth and savings-card stacking — the real money

Nothing in your budget moves as much as insurance status. Wegovy with Novo savings card caps at $0–$25 for covered patients; the same script denied runs $1,349 cash. ~50% of GLP-1 appeals overturn on peer-to-peer alone (2024 KFF analysis). Budget a 60–90 day appeal window and plan a bridge path (LillyDirect, NovoCare, compounded) during it.

Tax-advantaged dollars

HSAs and FSAs can reimburse GLP-1s when prescribed for an eligible condition. For a 24% marginal-federal-bracket household, running $6,000/year through an HSA saves ~$1,440 federal income tax + $460 FICA if W-2 employed — ~30% effective discount. See the HSA/FSA tool.

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Coverage checker
What your plan will pay.

Frequently asked questions

What's the cheapest legitimate path in 2026?

If you have commercial insurance and the plan covers Wegovy or Zepbound with a savings card, your copay of $25–$50/month is unbeatable. If not, LillyDirect Zepbound vials at $349 (2.5 mg) or $499 (5 mg+) are the cheapest FDA-approved path. NovoCare Wegovy vials are $499. Compounded options ($249–$399/month) are cheaper but carry quality caveats.

Does my HSA cover compounded tirzepatide?

Generally yes, when written as a prescription from a licensed clinician for an eligible condition (obesity with BMI ≥ 30 or ≥ 27 with comorbidity; T2D). Save the prescription and pharmacy receipt. HSA custodians rarely audit, but they can.

Why does my all-in cost differ month to month?

Deductible resets in January typically spike month-1 costs. Quarterly provider visits cluster cost every 3rd month. Annual labs hit once. The annualized monthly number smooths this; your actual cash flow is lumpy — plan for $400+ hits in January and visit months.

How do I reduce a $600+/mo budget?

In order of impact: (1) appeal a PA denial — ~50% overturn on peer-to-peer. (2) Ask prescriber about submaximal maintenance dose (5 mg tirz vs 15 mg is 40% cheaper via LillyDirect). (3) Consolidate supplements to essentials. (4) Compounded path if and only if you can verify the pharmacy. (5) HSA/FSA stacking for ~30% effective discount.

Can employers reimburse GLP-1 costs?

Yes — under section 213(d) medical expense definitions, employer reimbursement through an HRA or ICHRA can include GLP-1s. Large employers increasingly cover GLP-1s in self-funded plans after 2024 union carveouts. Ask HR directly; don't assume your plan doesn't cover.

What if I have to stop the drug mid-year?

Your monthly burn falls to near zero, but STEP 4 showed ~two-thirds regain within 12 months of stopping. Year 2 budget still needs quarterly visits, labs, and likely a restart attempt. Don't plan a budget that assumes permanent stop at month 12 unless your prescriber has a documented taper plan.

How do I plan for price changes in 2026?

Lilly cut LillyDirect vials from $549 to $499 in late 2024 and added 2.5/5 mg at $349. Novo matched with NovoCare $499. Medicare's 2024 SELECT coverage was the first crack in the anorexiant exclusion. IRA Medicare price negotiation reaches semaglutide by 2028–2030. Budget at today's numbers, recheck annually.

What labs should I pre-plan for?

Baseline: A1C, lipid panel, CMP, TSH, vitamin D, B12, folate ($250–$400). Month 3: A1C if T2D, CMP. Month 6: A1C, lipid, CMP. Annually: full baseline + DEXA ($100–$250 cash) if tracking body composition. Compounded telehealth services often require lab uploads every 6 months to renew prescriptions.

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