Cost Analysis. Which Glp based medication is the best bang for the buck?

Many insurance companies are not paying for anti-obesity medications (AOM). There is a current Medicare law that directly affect Medicare patients. This law also indirectly influences other health insurance carriers. In some instances this can be overcome by treatment for a weight/obesity related condition.

For patient patients wanting to start AOM with GLP, we completed a cost analysis based on the SURMOUNT 5 data and using prices from Eli Lilly direct prescriptions of Tirzepatide (Zepbound) vs Costco direct cost of Semaglutide (Wegovy).

From SURMOUNT-5 (approximate, group averages):

• Tirzepatide: ~20.2% weight loss

• Semaglutide: ~13.7% weight loss

For simplicity we’ll:

• Assume full dose price every month for 18 months.

• Compare total cost, then calculate cost per % weight loss.

If you want “cost per kg lost” instead, I can add that too — just share an average baseline weight (e.g., 100 kg).

💰 Medication Pricing (Monthly)

Tirzepatide (ZEPBOUND)

Dose	Monthly Cost
2.5 mg	$299
5 mg	$399
7.5 mg	$449
10 mg	$449
12.5 mg	$449
15 mg	$449

Semaglutide (Wegovy)

Dose	Monthly Cost
0.25 mg	$199
0.5 mg	$199
1 mg	$349
1.7 mg	$349
2.4 mg	$349

Estimated Cost per Pound Lost

(12 Months)

Tirzepatide

Dose	12-Mo Cost	Est. Lbs Lost	Cost per lb Lost
2.5 mg	$3,588	~36.2 lbs	~$99/lb
5 mg	$4,788	~36.2 lbs	~$132/lb
7.5–15 mg	$5,388	~36.2 lbs	~$149/lb

Semaglutide

Dose	12-Mo Cost	Est. Lbs Lost	Cost per lb Lost
0.25/0.5 mg	$2,388	~23.8 lbs	~$100/lb
1/1.7/2.4 mg	$4,188	~23.8 lbs	~$176/lb

🧠 What This Tells Us

📉 Estimated Cost per Pound Lost (12 Months)

Tirzepatide 2.5 mg (~$99/lb) may be the most cost effective with possibilities for weight loss. It should be noted that this is usually a titration dose.

👉 Price vs outcome trade-off is important: more weight loss costs more, but can be more cost-efficient for the clinically effective doses. This may be an indication to favor Tirzepatide over semaglutdie.