Key takeaways
Medicaid usually only covers GLP-1s if you are taking them for health conditions like Type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular risk reduction, or sleep apnea.
If you are taking a GLP-1 for weight loss, Medicaid typically won’t cover it.
SingleCare savings cards can help you save money on your GLP-1s if Medicaid doesn’t cover them. However, you can’t use a SingleCare savings card and Medicaid simultaneously.
GLP-1 drugs (glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonists) are medications that can effectively manage appetite and food intake, help improve blood sugar levels, and aid in weight loss. They are FDA approved to treat Type 2 diabetes, heart disease risk reduction, sleep apnea, and obesity. But researchers have found that they may also be effective in treating conditions like kidney disease, peripheral neuropathy, polycystic ovarian syndrome, liver disease, and even neurodegenerative diseases like Parkinson’s and Alzheimer’s disease.
All of this is why demand for GLP-1s has increased exponentially in the past few years. For example, research published in JAMA Network Open found that between 2018 and 2023, spending on GLP-1s increased by a whopping 500%, from $13.7 billion to $71.7 billion.
Still, although demand is high, it can still be challenging to get your GLP-1 medications covered by your health insurance. If you are on Medicaid, you may be having trouble receiving coverage for your GLP-1. That’s where SingleCare can help. Medicaid patients who are not covered for GLP-1s can save on out-of-pocket expenses by using a SingleCare savings card.
Can you use SingleCare for GLP-1s if on Medicaid?
If you’re on Medicaid, you may be wondering how a SingleCare savings card can help you afford your GLP-1 medication.
First, it’s important to understand the difference between a manufacturer savings card and a SingleCare cash-pay coupon. Manufacturer savings cards, sometimes called copay cards, are funded by drug manufacturers to help make medications more affordable to patients, and can lower some of the out-of-pocket expenses of prescription medications. While manufacturer savings cards can be helpful, people on Medicaid are ineligible to use them due to federal kickback laws.
On the other hand, SingleCare savings cards can be used if you have Medicaid. It’s important to keep in mind that you can’t use a SingleCare savings at the same time as- or in combination with- your Medicaid insurance.
For example, let’s say the GLP-1 drug you want to take isn’t covered by Medicaid. In this case, you could use your SingleCare card at the pharmacy to save on your medication, but you couldn’t use your Medicaid coverage or Medicaid card. Your SingleCard card would reduce the out-of-pocket amount you could have to pay for the medication that Medicaid doesn’t cover.
Does Medicaid cover GLP-1s?
Medicaid coverage for medications varies from one state to another, depending on state-specific rules and regulations. “Generally, most state Medicaid programs cover GLP-1s for the treatment of Type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular disease, and obstructive sleep apnea,” says Jennifer Brown, MD, board-certified obesity medicine doctor at MyObesityTeam. This means that medications like Ozempic, Mounjaro, and Trulicity are typically covered by Medicaid for those indications.
But when it comes to covering GLP-1s for obesity treatment, that’s a different story. “Many Medicaid programs do not cover GLP-1s for the treatment of obesity,” Dr. Brown says. This includes medications like Wegovy and Zepbound, which are specifically indicated for weight loss. “It’s ultimately up to each individual state to decide whether they cover GLP-1s for weight loss,” she says.
Since Medicaid will usually cover GLP-1s like Ozempic, Mounjaro, and Trulicity for the treatment of health conditions like Type 2 diabetes, you might be wondering if it’s possible to prescribe these off-label for weight loss and have Medicaid cover them. “Attempting to prescribe these off-label for weight loss is rarely successful,” Dr. Brown says.
Also, even when GLP-1s are covered by Medicaid for Type 2 diabetes, you and your healthcare provider may need to jump through some hoops to ensure coverage. “Medicaid programs usually require a prior authorization form or a chart review to be completed before they will cover any GLP-1; prescriptions without an approved diagnosis are denied,” Dr. Brown shares.
Pending legislation
Medications like Wegovy and Zepbound aren’t typically covered by Medicaid, but coverage may change in the future.
In early April 2025, the federal government and the Trump administration announced that it won’t be including anti-obesity medications like GLP-1s in Medicaid or Medicare coverage in 2026. But in recent years, there’s been legislation pending in Congress that, if passed, could help ensure that GLP-1s may be covered by both Medicaid and Medicare for weight loss.
“The Treat and Reduce Obesity Act was reintroduced to the Senate this past summer, but so far it has not been passed into law,” Dr. Brown explains. “There’s significant bipartisan support for the bill, and many of us in the field of obesity medicine are hopeful that Medicare and Medicaid will begin covering GLP-1s for weight loss.”
Dr. Brown hopes that Medicaid will soon cover GLP-1s specifically for weight loss, because obesity isn’t just a cosmetic issue. It has real health and financial implications. “Obesity is the driver of many chronic diseases, and treating it with GLP-1s will help reduce long-term obesity-related complications and healthcare costs,” she describes.
GLP-1 Coverage for Medicaid patients (Weight loss only) |
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|---|---|---|
| Drug | Is it covered under Medicaid? | SingleCare price |
| Ozempic | Yes, for many indications, but not weight loss | Ozempic coupon |
| Trulicity | Yes, for many indications, but not weight loss | Trulicity coupon |
| Mounjaro | Yes, for many indications, but not weight loss | Mounjaro coupon |
| Wegovy | No, though there may be exceptions in some states | Wegovy coupon |
| Victoza | Yes, for many indications, but not weight loss | Victoza coupon |
| Rybelsus | Yes, for many indications, but not weight loss | Rybelsus coupon |
Cost comparison and savings options for GLP-1s
GLP-1 medications can be extremely costly if you need to pay for them out-of-pocket, without insurance. On average, GLP-1 drugs can cost $1,000–$1,400+ per month without insurance.
SingleCare discounts can significantly lower the price you pay for GLP-1s, although the exact amount will vary depending on the pharmacy. Out-of-pocket expenses also vary based on which GLP-1 medication you’ve been prescribed.
Tips for lowering out-of-pocket expenses
It can be challenging when your health insurance doesn’t pay for your medication, or only pays partially for it. Thankfully, there are many ways for Medicaid enrollees to save on prescription drugs and to lower out-of-pocket expenses.
Here are some options to consider:
- Use a SingleCare coupon when paying with cash.
- Shop different pharmacies and compare prices to find the best deal.
- Ask your healthcare provider about switching to a different GLP-1 or a different weight loss medication that may be less expensive or covered by your health insurance plan.
- Look into Medicaid patient prescription assistance programs, which may be offered by your state or nonprofit organizations.
- Spending on glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonists among US adults, JAMA Network Open (2025)
- H.R.4818 – treat and reduce obesity act of 2023, Congress.gov (2023)
- Anti-obesity drugs will not be covered by Medicare and Medicaid in 2026, American College of Gastroenterology (2025)
- Jennifer Brown, MD, Board-certified obesity medicine doctor at MyObesityTeam