Cost Is the Number One Barrier to Saxenda Adherence

You've assessed your patient, confirmed they meet criteria for pharmacotherapy, and written the prescription for Saxenda (Liraglutide). The clinical decision was straightforward. What comes next often isn't.

For many patients, the cost of Saxenda is the single biggest obstacle to starting — and staying on — treatment. At $1,300 to $1,800 per month for brand-name Saxenda without insurance, and inconsistent formulary coverage across payers, a significant percentage of your patients will face sticker shock at the pharmacy counter. Some will never fill the prescription at all.

This guide provides a practical overview of the savings programs, assistance options, and cost-reduction strategies available for Saxenda in 2026, so you can integrate cost conversations into your prescribing workflow and improve adherence rates.

What Patients Actually Pay for Saxenda

Understanding the financial landscape helps you anticipate which patients will need support:

• Cash price (no insurance): $1,300 to $1,800 per month for a box of 5 brand-name Saxenda pens (30-day supply at the 3.0 mg maintenance dose).
• With commercial insurance: Highly variable. Some plans cover Saxenda with a specialty tier copay ($50-$150/month). Others require prior authorization, step therapy, or exclude weight management medications entirely.
• Medicare Part D: Does not cover Saxenda for weight loss. Patients on Medicare who need Saxenda will pay full cash price unless they qualify for patient assistance.
• Medicaid: Coverage varies by state. Many state Medicaid programs do not cover weight loss medications.

The net result: even patients with insurance often face substantial out-of-pocket costs, and uninsured patients may find Saxenda completely unaffordable without assistance.

NovoCare Savings Card

The most impactful tool for commercially insured patients is the Novo Nordisk Saxenda Savings Card, available through NovoCare.

How It Works

• Eligible patients with commercial (private) insurance may pay as little as $25 per month for Saxenda.
• The savings card covers a portion of the patient's out-of-pocket cost, up to a maximum benefit per prescription and per year.
• Patients activate the card online at NovoCare.com or by calling 1-888-809-3942.
• The card is presented at the pharmacy alongside the patient's insurance card.

Eligibility

• Patients must have commercial or private insurance that covers Saxenda (even with high copay).
• Not available for patients using government-funded insurance: Medicare, Medicaid, TRICARE, or any other federal or state healthcare program.
• Subject to annual maximum benefit limits — check NovoCare.com for current terms.

Provider Action Items

• Mention the NovoCare Savings Card at the point of prescribing. Most patients aren't aware it exists.
• Have your staff keep NovoCare activation cards in the office or include the URL in after-visit summaries.
• Instruct patients to activate the card before going to the pharmacy to avoid delays.

NovoCare Patient Assistance Program (PAP)

For uninsured or underinsured patients who cannot afford Saxenda, Novo Nordisk offers a Patient Assistance Program that provides the medication at no cost.

How It Works

• Qualifying patients receive Saxenda free of charge, shipped directly to their home or doctor's office.
• The program is administered through NovoCare and requires a completed application with proof of income and insurance status.

Eligibility

• Patients must be uninsured or underinsured (insurance does not cover Saxenda or coverage is inadequate).
• Patients must meet income requirements — typically at or below 400% of the federal poverty level, though specific thresholds may vary.
• U.S. residents with a valid prescription from a licensed provider.

How to Apply

• Online at NovoCare.com
• By phone: 1-888-809-3942
• Applications require: prescriber information, patient demographics, income documentation, and insurance information (or confirmation of uninsured status).

Provider Action Items

• Screen patients for PAP eligibility during the cost conversation. Ask about insurance status and whether they've had difficulty affording medications in the past.
• Consider designating a staff member to assist with PAP applications — the process is straightforward but patients often need help navigating paperwork.
• Plan for processing time. PAP applications can take 2-4 weeks. If the patient needs to start treatment sooner, consider bridge samples if available.

Discount Cards and Coupon Programs

For patients who don't qualify for the NovoCare Savings Card (e.g., they're uninsured but above PAP income limits, or their insurance doesn't cover Saxenda at all), third-party discount programs can help reduce costs:

• GoodRx: Shows pricing at local pharmacies and offers coupons that can reduce the cash price. Savings vary by pharmacy.
• SingleCare: Similar to GoodRx — free discount card accepted at most major pharmacies.
• RxSaver, BuzzRx, Optum Perks: Additional options worth checking, as prices can vary between programs and pharmacies.
• America's Pharmacy, Inside Rx, CareCard: Smaller programs that sometimes offer competitive pricing on specialty medications.

These programs typically reduce the cash price by 10-30%, which still leaves Saxenda expensive — but every dollar matters for patients paying out of pocket. Encourage patients to compare prices across multiple platforms before filling.

Generic Liraglutide

The availability of generic Liraglutide is the most significant cost development for Saxenda patients in recent years.

Current Status (2026)

• Teva Pharmaceuticals launched generic Liraglutide injection in August 2025.
• Wholesale acquisition cost (WAC) is approximately $1,165 per month — lower than brand-name Saxenda, though still substantial.
• Additional generic manufacturers are expected to enter the market after February 24, 2026, which should drive prices down further through competition.

Clinical Considerations

• Generic Liraglutide contains the same active ingredient at the same concentration as brand-name Saxenda. Bioequivalence has been established.
• Patients switching from Saxenda to generic Liraglutide should not need dose adjustments.
• If writing a prescription, ensure it allows generic substitution unless the patient or their insurance specifically requires brand-name Saxenda.

Provider Action Items

• Default to allowing generic substitution on prescriptions unless there's a specific clinical reason not to.
• Educate patients that the generic is the same medication — some patients are wary of generics and may resist the switch.
• Monitor the generic market. As additional manufacturers enter, prices should decrease. Pharmacy-level pricing varies, so encourage patients to shop around.

Building Cost Conversations Into Your Workflow

The most effective way to improve Saxenda adherence is to address cost before the patient reaches the pharmacy. Here's how to integrate cost discussions into your clinical workflow:

At the Point of Prescribing

1. Ask about insurance coverage. "Does your insurance cover weight loss medications?" Many patients don't know — encourage them to call their plan or check formularies online before the appointment.
2. Discuss expected cost. Set realistic expectations: "Without assistance, Saxenda can cost $1,300 or more per month. Let's talk about how to bring that down."
3. Match the patient to the right program:
   • Commercial insurance → NovoCare Savings Card
   • Uninsured/underinsured → NovoCare PAP
   • No coverage/above PAP limits → Discount cards + generic Liraglutide

In Your After-Visit Summary

Include written instructions for activating savings programs. Many patients are overwhelmed during appointments and won't remember verbal instructions. A simple handout with NovoCare.com, the phone number (1-888-809-3942), and a note about discount card options goes a long way.

At Follow-Up Visits

Check in on cost. Patients who are struggling financially may reduce their dose, skip days, or stop entirely without telling you. Ask directly: "Have you been able to fill your Saxenda prescription each month? Is cost an issue?"

Leverage Your Care Team

Nurses, medical assistants, and pharmacists can handle much of the savings program enrollment process. Build it into your workflow so it doesn't add burden to the physician visit. Consider:

• A printed "Saxenda cost resources" handout kept in exam rooms
• A designated staff member who assists with PAP applications
• Coordination with the patient's pharmacy to confirm they're getting the best available price

Helping Patients Find Saxenda in Stock

Cost isn't the only access barrier. Even with a prescription and a savings plan, patients may struggle to find Saxenda at their local pharmacy due to intermittent supply issues.

Direct patients to Medfinder to check pharmacy availability in their area. You can also review our provider guide on helping patients find Saxenda in stock for additional strategies.

Final Thoughts

Prescribing Saxenda is a clinical decision. Helping patients afford it is a practical one — and both are essential for successful outcomes. By proactively discussing cost, connecting patients with the right savings programs, and leveraging generic options, you can significantly improve adherence and help more patients achieve their weight management goals.

The tools exist. The key is making cost conversations a standard part of your prescribing workflow rather than an afterthought.

For more provider resources on Saxenda access and supply, visit Medfinder for Providers.