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Mounjaro (tirzepatide) can help regulate blood sugar levels and reduce weight in people with type 2 diabetes. Doctors may also prescribe it off-label for obesity. It is available online with a prescription.
Mounjaro is a second-line treatment for type 2 diabetes, with doctors preferring metformin as a first-line treatment for high blood sugar levels.
Because Mounjaro can
There has been a shortage of Mounjaro in recent months due to its rise in popularity, and it is currently on the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) list of drug shortages. This means that people with diabetes have not been able to get the drug. However, all doses are currently available.
This article covers where people can order Mounjaro online, how to get a Mounjaro prescription from a doctor, and whether insurance will cover this drug. It also answers some frequently asked questions about Mounjaro.
Mounjaro for weight loss
People with diabetes rely on medications such as Mounjaro (tirzepatide) to regulate their blood sugar levels. This drug does not have FDA approval for weight loss.
However, the FDA
- Best for health insurance coverage: Sesame Care | Skip to review
- Best for those with type 2 diabetes: K Health | Skip to review
- Best for an affordable subscription: PlushCare | Skip to review
- Best for weight loss: Calibrate | Skip to review
Mounjaro is an injectable brand-name medication that contains tirzepatide. It is a glucagon-like peptide 1 (GLP-1) receptor agonist and a gastric inhibitory polypeptide (GIP) agonist.
As a GLP-1 agonist, it mimics a hormone called GLP-1, helps boost insulin production when necessary, reduces sugar production in the liver, and slows down food digestion.
As a GIP agonist, it encourages insulin production and sensitivity and reduces the production of stomach acid. This means food will digest more slowly.
This dual action makes it a unique medication in its market.
It has
Doctors prescribe Mounjaro to treat obesity because it slows digestion and can reduce a person’s appetite.
While Mounjaro does not currently have approval as a weight loss drug, the FDA has
The manufacturer, Eli Lilly and Company, will use data showing that Mounjaro led to a 15% reduction in body weight as part of its application for approval.
Several telehealth companies offer Mounjaro. Read about four of the best options below.
Please note that the writer of this article has not tried these products. All information presented is purely research-based and correct at the time of publication.
Medical News Today follows a strict product selection and vetting process. Learn more here.
Best for health insurance coverage: Sesame Care
- Branded or generic: generic
- Appointment cost: varies by doctor
- Accepts insurance: yes
Sesame Care is a telehealth company that offers in-person and virtual doctor visits, prescription refills, and same-day medication pickup from pharmacies.
People can get tirzepatide, the generic version of Mounjaro, from Sesame Care. The company does not specify whether its doctors will prescribe the drug off-label for weight loss.
First, a person must book an appointment with a Sesame healthcare professional. If the healthcare professional thinks it is appropriate, they will prescribe tirzepatide. The cost of these appointments will vary by doctor.
Afterward, the customer can collect their order from a local pharmacy.
People can use a health savings account (HSA), a flexible spending account (FSA), or health insurance to pay for Sesame Care’s services. It is also open to those without health insurance.
Pros
- accepts HSA, FSA, and insurance
- open to people with and without insurance
- offers tirzepatide, which may be less expensive than Mounjaro
Cons
- does not offer the brand-name medication, which some may prefer
- available in only select areas
- varying appointment costs by doctor
Best for those with type 2 diabetes: K Health
- Branded or generic: generic
- Appointment cost: $39 for a one-time visit, $488 per year for membership
- Accepts insurance: yes
K Health offers 24/7 access to online doctor’s appointments for urgent care. People can use this service with or without insurance.
K Health specifies that it does not prescribe tirzepatide for weight loss. This makes the platform suitable for people with type 2 diabetes who are seeking a tirzepatide prescription.
A one-time appointment costs $39. People can also opt for a membership, which gives them unlimited access to primary and urgent care, excluding mental health care. Membership costs $147 per quarter or $488 per year.
K Health’s services are available in 48 U.S. states.
Pros
- available to people with and without insurance
- provides tirzepatide for type 2 diabetes
- 27/4 access to doctors for urgent care
Cons
- does not serve all U.S. states
- does not prescribe tirzepatide for weight loss
- offers generic tirzepatide, while some may prefer Mounjaro
- high annual subscription cost of more than $480
Best for an affordable subscription: PlushCare
- Branded or generic: branded
- Appointment cost: $14.99 per month plus copay with insurance, $14.99 per month plus $99–$129 per appointment without insurance
- Accepts insurance: yes
People who use PlushCare’s services can benefit from online visits, urgent care, and prescription refills. Care is available in all 50 U.S. states.
Mounjaro costs with PlushCare are as follows:
- With insurance: $14.99 per month with the first month free, plus a copay for all visits
- Without insurance: $14.99 per month with the first month free; $129 for the first visit, then $99 for subsequent visits
PlushCare notes that the manufacturer of Mounjaro offers a copay savings card for $25 per month to people who qualify for the drug. Without insurance, PlushCare writes that Mounjaro can cost $1,000 per month.
As with other telehealth companies, people must have an online consultation before getting a prescription for Mounjaro.
Pros
- low cost for people with insurance
- available in all 50 U.S. states
- affordable monthly subscription
Cons
- offers only Mounjaro, while some may prefer its generic counterpart
- high appointment costs for those without insurance
Best for weight loss: Calibrate
- Branded or generic: branded
- Appointment cost: from $138 per month with insurance
- Accepts insurance: yes
Calibrate is a program for people who want to lose weight. It offers a range of GLP-1 medications, including Mounjaro. However, doctors will prescribe the most appropriate medication for each person, which may be a different GLP-1 agonist such as Wegovy, Ozempic, or Saxenda.
The company’s Metabolic Reset plan costs $138 per month with Affirm insurance or $1,649 up front without insurance. This plan includes a 30-minute video call with a doctor, 1-on-1 video coaching sessions, tracking tools, access to medical and support teams, and support with insurance coverage.
Calibrate will try to find the best price for GLP-1 medications based on a person’s insurance. It offers people a refund if it cannot get them medication for $25 per month or less.
Calibrate offers a person’s money back if they do not experience 10% weight loss.
The platform is available to people ages 18–64 years.
Pros
- offers a wide range of GLP-1 medications
- dedicated service for people wanting to lose weight
- offers members a support team throughout their weight loss journey
Cons
- has an age limit
- expensive for people without insurance
- may not offer Mounjaro, depending on a person’s location
The table below compares the telehealth companies in this article.
| Best for | Branded or generic | Costs | Accepts insurance? | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sesame Care | insurance coverage | generic | varies by doctor | yes |
| K Health | type 2 diabetes | generic | • $39 for a one-time visit • $488 per year for membership | yes |
| PlushCare | an affordable subscription | branded | • With insurance: $14.99 per month plus copay • Without insurance: $14.99 per month plus $99–$129 per appointment | yes |
| Calibrate | weight loss | branded | • from $138 per month with Affirm insurance • $1,649 up front without insurance | yes |
Mounjaro is available only with a prescription. People can speak with a doctor in person or online to get one.
A doctor should prescribe Mounjaro only if it is medically appropriate. This includes people with type 2 diabetes, obesity, or overweight with a related condition. Learn more about who may qualify for Mounjaro.
A person will have to answer questions about their medical history and health goals so the doctor can ensure that Mounjaro is the right option. Mounjaro recommends that people discuss the following with the prescribing doctor:
- their current health conditions, including those affecting the pancreas, kidneys, and stomach
- whether they have problems digesting food or gastroparesis
- their current diabetes medications
- any history of diabetic retinopathy
- any current or planned future pregnancy
- any current nursing or future nursing plans
- all prescription and over-the-counter medications, vitamins, and supplements they currently take
People should contact their insurance provider to check whether it will cover Mounjaro, as not every insurance provider covers the cost of Mounjaro. Some cover Mounjaro only for FDA-approved uses, which will not include weight loss.
Those with insurance may also be eligible for the Mounjaro Savings Card from the manufacturer.
People without insurance can get Mounjaro, but it may be more expensive. Lilly, Mounjaro’s manufacturer, states that the drug’s list price is $1,023.04 for a month’s supply. This is the price Lilly sets for wholesalers buying Mounjaro, and the pharmacy price that customers will pay may differ from this.
Lilly does not provide its savings card to people who do not have insurance or to those who use state, federal, or government healthcare programs such as Medicaid, Medicare, Medicare Part D, Medicare Advantage, and Medigap.
People should read the terms on Lilly’s website to see whether they are eligible to save on Mounjaro.
The cost of a prescription drug can vary widely in the United States, and people often look for ways to save on prescription medication.
With insurance, some people will be eligible for Lilly’s Mounjaro Savings Card, which costs $25 for a 1- or 3-month prescription. A 1-month supply includes 4 pens across 28 days. A 3-month supply includes up to 12 pens for 84 days.
Those with insurance that does not cover Mounjaro can still use the Mounjaro Savings Card for up to $575 off a 1-month prescription. However, they will still likely need to pay a few hundred dollars for Mounjaro.
It is also important to note that the Mounjaro Savings Card program will end on December 31, 2023.
Lilly writes that people without insurance may pay close to the list price of Mounjaro, which is $1,023.04 for 4 pens.
Through GoodRx, people can get Mounjaro for around $990, depending on the pharmacy.
Individuals who use Mounjaro long term may consider buying 90-day supplies to save money. They may discuss their options with a pharmacist or doctor.
The Mounjaro Savings Card also dramatically reduces the cost of the drug.
People wanting to discuss Mounjaro with a doctor may wonder what questions they should ask during their appointment. Below, we list several important points to talk about with a doctor before getting a Mounjaro prescription:
- Does Mounjaro interact with other medications?
- What side effects does it cause?
- Will it interact with my diabetes medication?
- What makes it different from other GLP-1 medications?
- How do I take Mounjaro?
Below, we answer some frequently asked questions about Mounjaro.
Do you need a prescription for tirzepatide?
Yes, people will need a prescription for tirzepatide.
How can I get Mounjaro for weight loss?
To get Mounjaro for weight loss, a person should speak with a doctor in person or online via a telehealth company. The doctor will decide whether Mounjaro is appropriate for the person’s health goals.
Where can you get Mounjaro?
People can get Mounjaro from a pharmacy if they have a valid prescription. People can get a prescription by visiting a doctor’s office or using a telehealth platform.
How can you get Mounjaro covered by insurance?
Many insurance companies will cover Mounjaro only for FDA-approved uses, such as treating type 2 diabetes. A person’s insurance provider may require prior authorization for Mounjaro before it approves a person’s claim. This means a doctor will have to tell a person’s insurance company that Mounjaro is medically necessary. This can take several days.
Those without type 2 diabetes who want Mounjaro for weight loss may not be able to get insurance coverage.
People should contact their insurance provider to see whether their plan will cover Mounjaro.
Mounjaro is a prescription GLP-1 agonist medication that the FDA has approved to treat type 2 diabetes. Medical professionals may also prescribe it off-label for weight loss in people with obesity.
People can get a prescription for Mounjaro through telehealth platforms or at a doctor’s office.