Patient Assistance Programs for GLP-1 medications
If you're uninsured or underinsured, you may qualify for free Wegovy, Ozempic, Mounjaro, Zepbound, Trulicity, Saxenda, or other GLP-1 medications through manufacturer-run patient assistance programs (PAPs). Most cover incomes up to 400% of the Federal Poverty Level — about $60,000 for a single person.
If you have insurance and still can't afford it
All 3 manufacturer programmes on this page require you to be uninsured, so having coverage disqualifies you even when that coverage pays nothing toward the drug. Medicare Part D is the sharpest version of this: it has historically not covered medication prescribed for weight loss, which leaves you barred from the assistance programme by the plan that will not pay either. The routes that remain do not have that rule — 3 of the national non-profit programmes listed below accept people with insurance, including Patient Advocate Foundation Co-Pay Relief at up to $7,500/year toward copays + coinsurance, and 6 state pharmaceutical assistance programmes help specifically with what a plan leaves unpaid. Appealing the exclusion is the other route, and it is a separate process from any of these.
What are patient assistance programs?
Patient Assistance Programs (PAPs) are manufacturer-run charity programs that provide free or low-cost prescription medications to uninsured or underinsured patients who meet income and clinical criteria. They are funded by the drug manufacturer (not the government) and exist primarily so patients prescribed expensive specialty medications can access them when private insurance is unavailable.
For GLP-1 medications, three programs cover most of the market: NovoCare (Novo Nordisk — Ozempic, Wegovy, Saxenda, Rybelsus, Victoza), Lilly Cares Foundation (Eli Lilly — Mounjaro, Zepbound, Trulicity), and AZ&Me (AstraZeneca — Byetta, Bydureon BCise).
Who typically qualifies
- US citizens or legal residents
- Household income at or below 400% of the Federal Poverty Level (~$60,000 single, ~$125,000 family of 4)
- No private prescription drug insurance (some programs include Medicare Part D members at 500% FPL)
- Not enrolled in Medicaid (which has its own coverage rules)
- Have an active prescription from a US-licensed provider
All manufacturer PAPs compared
| Program | Drugs covered | Income cap | Processing | Apply |
|---|---|---|---|---|
NovoCare Patient Assistance Program Novo Nordisk | 400% FPL | ~10 days | Apply | |
Lilly Cares Foundation Patient Assistance Program Eli Lilly | 400% FPL | ~14 days | Apply | |
AZ&Me Prescription Savings Program AstraZeneca | 300% FPL | ~14 days | Apply |
Browse by medication
2026 Federal Poverty Level reference table
Most GLP-1 PAPs use 400% FPL as the income cap. Source: HHS 2026 Poverty Guidelines
| Household size | 100% FPL | 138% (Medicaid) | 200% FPL | 400% FPL |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 person | $15,060 | $20,783 | $30,120 | $60,240 |
| 2 people | $20,440 | $28,207 | $40,880 | $81,760 |
| 3 people | $25,820 | $35,632 | $51,640 | $103,280 |
| 4 people | $31,200 | $43,056 | $62,400 | $124,800 |
| 5 people | $36,580 | $50,480 | $73,160 | $146,320 |
| 6 people | $41,960 | $57,905 | $83,920 | $167,840 |
| 7 people | $47,340 | $65,329 | $94,680 | $189,360 |
| 8 people | $52,720 | $72,754 | $105,440 | $210,880 |
Application checklist
Most manufacturer PAPs require similar documentation. Have these ready before you start:
Proof of income (pick one)
- Most recent federal tax return (form 1040)
- Two most recent pay stubs
- Social Security benefits statement
- Unemployment benefits letter
- Letter from employer with annual salary
Proof of residency / status
- US driver license or state ID
- US passport or birth certificate
- Permanent resident card (green card)
- Recent utility bill or lease (address proof)
Insurance documentation
- Letter from insurer stating no Rx coverage (if applicable)
- Medicare denial letter if age 65+
- Medicaid denial letter if applied + rejected
- Statement confirming uninsured status (if neither)
Prescriber sign-off
- US-licensed physician, NP, or PA
- Active DEA number for controlled substances
- Diagnosis code (ICD-10) for the prescribed indication
- Signature on the medical section of the application
Nonprofit and aggregator programs
NeedyMeds
NeedyMeds Drug Discount Card
Up to 80% off retail at participating pharmacies
Free discount card usable at 65,000+ pharmacies. Anyone can use regardless of income or insurance status. Savings vary by drug and pharmacy — typically modest for branded GLP-1s but stacks with cash pay.
Volunteers in Health Care
RxAssist Patient Assistance Program Database
Routes to manufacturer PAPs — free meds for qualifying patients
Searchable directory of every manufacturer PAP in the US. Use to confirm program details before applying. Maintained since 1999 by Volunteers in Health Care.
Rx Outreach Pharmacy (501c3)
Rx Outreach
Flat low-cost pricing — typically $20-$50 for 90-day supply of generic GLP-1s
Mail-order nonprofit pharmacy for low-income patients. Carries limited GLP-1 formulary (mostly generic exenatide/liraglutide). Insulin and oral diabetes meds are the strongest discounts.
Patient Advocate Foundation
Patient Advocate Foundation Co-Pay Relief
Up to $7,500/year toward copays + coinsurance
For INSURED patients struggling with copays (the opposite of manufacturer PAPs). Funds open and close based on donor availability — check current fund status before applying. Diabetes and obesity funds open intermittently.
State pharmaceutical assistance programs (SPAPs)
6 states have SPAPs that supplement Medicare Part D and reduce copays. Most require age 65+ or disability.
NY
EPIC (Elderly Pharmaceutical Insurance Coverage)
Copays as low as $3-$20 per prescription
Age: 65+
NJ
PAAD (Pharmaceutical Assistance to the Aged and Disabled)
$5-$7 copay per prescription
Age: 65+
PA
PACE / PACENET
$6 generic / $9 brand copay
Age: 65+
MA
Prescription Advantage
Tiered copays based on income
Age: 65+ or disabled
RI
RIPAE (RI Pharmaceutical Assistance to the Elderly)
15-60% discount on covered drugs
Age: 65+
CT
ConnPACE
$16.25 copay per prescription
Age: 65+ or disabled
Ready to check your eligibility?
Answer 5 questions to see which programs you qualify for. Runs in your browser — nothing uploaded.
Open PAP finderGLP1Zoom does not administer or process PAP applications. All programs listed link directly to the operating manufacturer or nonprofit. This page is informational only — not financial or medical advice. Verify current terms on each program's official site before applying.
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