What it means
Drug makers offer savings cards, sometimes called copay cards, for many GLP-1 medicines. Terms vary: some lower the copay for people whose insurance covers the drug, and some offer a set discount for people whose plan does not.
These programs usually exclude people with government insurance such as Medicare or Medicaid. They also have monthly caps, expiry dates and fine print that can change with little notice.
Makers have also added cash-pay options through their own pharmacy programs, which can be cheaper than the list price for people without coverage. Always confirm current terms on the manufacturer's own site.
Savings programs often need to be re-activated each year or after a set number of fills. Set a reminder so a lapsed card does not surprise you at the pharmacy counter.
Why it matters
Savings cards and cash-pay programs can cut your monthly cost by hundreds of dollars, so our cost tool compares them side by side.