What is prior authorization for a GLP-1?
Prior authorization is your insurance plan's review of a prescription before it agrees to pay. For Wegovy or Zepbound it usually means your prescriber sends your BMI, any weight-related conditions and earlier attempts to lose weight.
How it works
The prescriber's office sends a form to the plan or its pharmacy benefit manager. The plan approves, asks for more, or denies. Each plan sets its own criteria and timeline, and many require step therapy first.
Two cash programs to check.
No insurance needed.
- Check price →
- Check price →SnagRx's homepage shows its 12-month prepaid prices first
If it is denied
You or your prescriber can ask for a peer-to-peer call or file an appeal. Plans must say how and by when. Our free letter tools write the first draft.
What it means for the price
With an approved PA you pay your plan's copay. Without one, you pay cash, and the cash routes on the chart need no PA at all.
Questions
Does a telehealth GLP-1 program need prior authorization?
No, not for cash pay. A PA only matters when insurance is paying.
What does a GLP-1 prior authorization ask for?
Usually BMI, weight-related conditions such as high blood pressure or type 2 diabetes, and sometimes proof of an earlier diet program or a cheaper drug.
Sources
Prices on GLP Chart are read from each program's own pricing page. How: how we check prices. Every program's price this month: the GLP-1 price index.