There’s a weekly shot for diabetics that will make you lose weight — and lots of it. The problem is, the cost is more than $1K per month. Mounjaro® is what Mr. Pesky’s doctor recommended. Ozempic® is another option.
The dilemma for seniors and others…
Novo Nordisk (Ozempic®) and Eli Lilly (Mounjaro®) both offer discounts. The cost goes from $1K a month to around $35 bucks. 😯 But you can’t get their discount if you have any — and I do mean ANY — type of prescription health plan.
The drug manufacturers want the insurance to pay. Therein lies the problem. If you have Medicare part D, any gap insurance (purchased to offset deductibles and what Medicare won’t pick up), VA benefits, etc., you can’t get the manufacturer discount.
There’s little assistance on Mounjaro for Mr. Pesky — none of his providers want to step up to the plate and pay. But will VA, Medicare, or his supplemental prescription plans cover Ozempic since it’s been around longer? (Mounjaro was FDA approved less than a year ago and Ozempic has been around since 2017.) And if so, will his doctor prescribe it instead?
Using it for weight loss is driving down the supply for those who need it.
I personally know someone that has a prescription and was happy to pay the $1k for a month specifically for the weight loss benefits. She lost 50 pounds in 30 days. She does not have type 2 diabetes and these drugs are not FDA approved yet for weight loss. Read more about their use for weight loss here.
The breakfast of champions for those who are not diabetic (yet).
Don’t judge me…
TIL (Today I Learned): There is a generally misunderstood arachnid, the Camel Spider. Dude is not really a spider — and is not really a scorpion. According to myths, this ‘spider’ is venomous, grows up to a foot long, screams like a banshee, and feasts on camel and human flesh. While all those things are false, this critter does chase you around at a frightening 10mph in search of shade. 😬