- Insurance covers it: pay as little as $25 per fill with the savings card, up to $1,300 of savings a year.
- Insurance does not cover it: the KwikPen savings card starts at $299 a month (2.5 mg). Government insurance is excluded.
- No insurance: KwikPen or vials cost $299, $399 or $449 a month depending on dose, if you refill within 45 days.
- Medicare Part D: the Medicare GLP-1 Bridge costs $50 a month for the Zepbound KwikPen if you are eligible.
- Current Lilly programs run through December 31, 2026. Needles cost extra.
Which option applies to you
| Your situation | Official option | What you pay |
|---|---|---|
| Commercial insurance that covers Zepbound | Zepbound Savings Card | As little as $25 per 1, 2 or 3 month fill |
| Commercial insurance that does not cover Zepbound | KwikPen Self-Pay Savings Card | From $299 a month (2.5 mg) |
| No insurance | LillyDirect or pharmacy self-pay | $299 to $449 a month by dose |
| Medicare Part D | Medicare GLP-1 Bridge (if eligible) | $50 a month |
Sources: Lilly's savings page and Medicare's GLP-1 Bridge fact sheet.[1, 4]
If your commercial insurance covers Zepbound
Lilly says people with commercial coverage for Zepbound may "pay as little as $25" for a 1-month, 2-month or 3-month prescription fill of the single-dose pen.[1, 2] The limits:
- Savings are capped at up to $100 for a 1-month fill, $200 for a 2-month fill or $300 for a 3-month fill.
- Total savings are capped at $1,300 per calendar year, with up to 13 fills a year.
- The program runs through December 31, 2026.
From Lilly's savings page.[1]
Because savings are capped per fill, what you actually pay depends on your plan's copay. If your usual cost is higher than the cap covers, you pay the difference.
If your commercial insurance does not cover Zepbound
Not every plan covers Zepbound. For people with commercial insurance that does not cover Zepbound, Lilly offers a savings card for the KwikPen that brings the price down to as low as $299 for a 1-month fill of the 2.5 mg starting dose.[1]
- It applies to the KwikPen only, not to the single-dose pen or vials.[3]
- It needs a valid, on-label prescription.[3]
- Government beneficiaries are excluded, and it is limited to 11 fills per calendar year through December 31, 2026.[1]
No insurance: self-pay prices
If you pay yourself, Lilly lists the same monthly price for the KwikPen and the single-dose vials, through LillyDirect and, for the KwikPen, at major pharmacies.[2, 3]
| Dose | KwikPen or vials, per month |
|---|---|
| 2.5 mg | $299 |
| 5 mg | $399 |
| 7.5 mg, 10 mg, 12.5 mg or 15 mg | $449 |
To keep these prices, Lilly says refills need to happen within 45 days of your previous delivery. Pen needles for the KwikPen, and syringes and needles for vials, are extra, and additional taxes and fees may apply.[1, 2]
Not sure which device suits you? The KwikPen guide compares the KwikPen, single-dose pen and vial side by side.
Medicare: the GLP-1 Bridge
Since July 1, 2026, Medicare has run the Medicare GLP-1 Bridge, which covers certain GLP-1 weight loss medicines for $50 a month regardless of income. For Zepbound, it covers the KwikPen only.[4]
Medicare's fact sheet says you need all of the following:[4]
- Active Medicare Part D coverage, through a standalone drug plan or a health plan.
- You are not already able to get a GLP-1 through your existing drug plan.
- You do not have type 2 diabetes, moderate-to-severe sleep apnea or fatty liver disease.
- You are 18 or older and meet one of the body mass index (BMI) criteria: a BMI of 35 or higher; or 30 or higher with certain types of heart failure, hard-to-control high blood pressure or chronic kidney disease; or 27 or higher with prediabetes or a history of heart attack, stroke or blocked arteries.
To use it, Medicare says to talk to your doctor about eligibility, get a prescription, give the pharmacy your Medicare ID, and wait for Medicare's approval before paying the $50.[4] Lilly's savings page also lists a self-pay option for Medicare patients at the same $299 to $449 monthly prices.[1]
Coverage changes to know about
CVS Caremark, one of the largest US pharmacy benefit managers, announced that Zepbound returns as a preferred option on its commercial template formularies from October 1, 2026. Employers and plans that use those formularies can still customize coverage, so check with your own plan rather than assuming you are covered.[5]
If your coverage changes, the savings option that fits you changes too. The covered-insurance savings card and the not-covered KwikPen card are different programs.
The small print
- Savings cards are not insurance. Lilly states this on each program.[1]
- Every program needs a prescription. These options change what you pay, not whether Zepbound is right for you. That is your prescriber's call.
- Fill limits: up to 13 fills a year on the covered card, 11 on the not-covered KwikPen card.[1]
- Expiry: current programs run through December 31, 2026.[1]
- Extras: needles and syringes are separate purchases.[2]
Common questions
How much is Zepbound with the savings card?
If your commercial insurance covers Zepbound, Lilly says you may pay as little as $25 for a 1, 2 or 3 month fill, with savings capped at $1,300 a calendar year. If your commercial insurance does not cover it, the KwikPen savings card brings the price to as low as $299 a month for the 2.5 mg starting dose.
Can I use the Zepbound savings card with Medicare or Medicaid?
The savings card for people whose commercial insurance does not cover Zepbound excludes government beneficiaries. People with Medicare Part D may qualify for the Medicare GLP-1 Bridge instead, which costs $50 a month for the Zepbound KwikPen if you meet the eligibility rules.
When does the Zepbound savings card expire?
Lilly's savings page lists the current programs as running through December 31, 2026. Check the page for renewal terms after that date.
Is the Zepbound KwikPen cheaper than the vials?
On LillyDirect self-pay, Lilly lists the same monthly price for the KwikPen and the vials at each dose: $299 for 2.5 mg, $399 for 5 mg and $449 for higher doses. Needles, or syringes and needles, cost extra with both.
Does the savings card cover the needles?
Lilly lists pen needles for the KwikPen, and syringes and needles for the vials, as separate purchases. Ask your pharmacy what they cost and whether your plan covers them.
Sources
- Eli Lilly and Company. Zepbound savings and coverage options. Revised n/a (web page, programs through 12/31/2026). Last checked 2026-09-23.
- Eli Lilly and Company. Zepbound KwikPen and vials on LillyDirect. Revised n/a (web page). Last checked 2026-09-23.
- Eli Lilly and Company (media statement). Zepbound (tirzepatide) KwikPen now available at self-pay pricing at major pharmacies nationwide in addition to LillyDirect. Revised March 16, 2026. Last checked 2026-09-23.
- Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services. Medicare GLP-1 Bridge: GLP-1 Drugs for $50 a Month (fact sheet). Revised n/a (program began July 1, 2026). Last checked 2026-09-23.
- CVS Health (press release). CVS Caremark delivers affordability and access to GLP-1 weight management medications with expanded coverage options. Revised May 28, 2026. Last checked 2026-09-23.