WashU recognizes that Wegovy and Zepbound can play an important role in weight loss, managing other health conditions and improving overall well-being. As of Jan. 1, 2026, the WashU prescription drug program under the medical plan does not cover Wegovy and Zepbound; however, WashU provides financial support to employees and dependents covered under a WashU medical plan who are taking these medications. This program is managed through our partner RxSaveCard. RxSaveCard connects medical plan members with lower “cash” prices for Wegovy or Zepbound directly from the manufacturer’s pharmacy and facilitates the payment process through an electronic debit card.
WashU shares in the cost of Wegovy and Zepbound by providing up to a $350 per month, per member, tax-free contribution via a health reimbursement arrangement when purchased directly from the manufacturer’s website: LillyDirect for Zepbound or NovoCare for Wegovy. Keep in mind, manufacturers set the price of prescription drugs and not WashU. Keep reading to learn how to access this benefit.
GLP-1 medications that are FDA-indicated for diabetes (e.g., Mounjaro and Ozempic) continue to be covered under the WashU prescription drug program through Express Scripts, a part of Evernorth Health Services.
How the RXSaveCard program works
To obtain your Wegovy or Zepbound prescription with the WashU monthly subsidy, you will need to activate an account with RxSaveCard. Get started by visiting the RxSaveCard site.
- On the home page, select “Request an Activation Code.” You will need this code to activate your account.
- After you select “Request an Activation Code,” the site will ask you to indicate if you are an employee or other subscriber (i.e., covered as a dependent on a WashU medical plan, retiree, COBRA or LTD participant).
- If you are covered as an employee, you’ll be prompted to simply enter your WashU email address to receive an activation code.
- If you are an other subscriber, you will need to provide your UnitedHealthcare (UHC) member ID and group number located on your UHC member ID card, as well as your name and personal email address, to receive an activation code.
Whether you are an employee or other subscriber, you’ll receive an email with an activation code and link to set up your account with RxSaveCard. Complete your account setup and provide a personal credit card, debit card or banking information for your portion of the cost. Once the setup process is complete, you will receive your virtual (electronic) card information for use at the LillyDirect or NovoCare pharmacies.
Need help activating your RxSaveCard account? You can email support@rxsavecard.com or call 312-469-0042.
WashU Families
If you and another family member (spouse/partner or adult dependent child) work for WashU, you should only register as an employee if you are enrolled in a WashU medical plan as an employee. If you are enrolled in a WashU medical plan as a dependent, you will need to register as an “other subscriber.”
Filling your Wegovy or Zepbound prescription
Talk with your healthcare provider. Let them know that the prescription needs to be sent to the manufacturer to fill. Here are the manufacturer’s pharmacy details to share with your provider.
LillyDirect Self Pay pharmacy for Zepbound
Name:
LillyDirect Self Pay Pharmacy
NPI:
1689411712
NCPDP:
3692539
Medication Details:
Zepbound VIAL (not injector pen), 2.5mg, 5mg, 7.5mg, 10mg, 12.5mg, or 15mg
Your doctor can also call LillyDirect at 844-559-3471 for help with sending the prescription.
NovoCare pharmacy for Wegovy
Name:
NovoCare Pharmacy
NPI:
1710671854
NCPDP:
5758074
Medication Details:
Wegovy (0.25mg, .5mg, 1mg, 1.7mg, or 2.4mg)
Your doctor can also call NovoCare at 833-949-5527 for help with sending the prescription.
When you are ready to fill your prescription, visit the LillyDirect or NovoCare pharmacy websites for current pricing and program details, and work with your healthcare provider to send your prescription electronically to the appropriate manufacturer’s pharmacy. See below for information on where your provider should send your prescription. Additional resource guides about the process are available at the RxSaveCard site.
The manufacturer’s pharmacy will notify you by text or email when they receive your prescription. You will receive a second notification when it is ready to fill, generally within 24 to 48 hours. The second notification will include a link to complete the checkout process. The first time you use the program, you will need to set up an account with the manufacturer.
When you are ready to complete the checkout process, log in to the manufacturer’s pharmacy website and use your RxSaveCard electronic debit card information (card number, expiration date and security code) for the method of payment. WashU’s contribution will be automatically applied. The remaining balance will be deducted via an electronic bill payment (ACH), debit or credit card depending on the payment method you registered with RxSaveCard.
After checkout, your medication will be mailed directly to you at the address you specify. You can generally expect to receive your medication within about a week.
Zepbound users
Note that only Zepbound vials are available from the LillyDirect Self Pay Pharmacy. It is recommended that you add injection supplies to your order at checkout as they are not automatically included with the vials.
How payments are processed
The following is an example of how paying for Zepbound or Wegovy will work when the prescription is filled through the manufacturer’s pharmacy:
Assume the cost of the prescription is $499 (actual cost is set by the manufacturer) and you enter your RxSaveCard for the payment information on the manufacturer’s pharmacy website at checkout. The WashU contribution of $350 will be applied and the remaining $149 will be deducted from your bank account via ACH or charged to your credit or debit card based on the payment method you elected.
Important notes about payments:
- WashU’s contribution of $350 toward your Wegovy or Zepbound prescription will replenish on the first day of each month.
- A covered spouse/domestic partner and/or adult dependent child who is prescribed Wegovy or Zepbound may also receive the WashU contribution of $350 per month towards the cost of purchasing their prescription through the manufacturer’s pharmacy.
- If the $350 is not used in any month, the amount does not carry forward.
- If you purchase the medication at the manufacturer’s pharmacy, but don’t use the digital RxSaveCard debit card, you will not be reimbursed the $350 that WashU would have paid. You will also not be reimbursed if you purchase the medication at a pharmacy other than the manufacturer’s pharmacy.
Important information and tips
Like other drugs that are not covered under the WashU medical plan prescription drug program, your out-of-pocket cost for Wegovy or Zepbound does not apply to the medical or prescription drug deductible or out-of-pocket maximum.
Wegovy and Zepbound are eligible health care expenses under your Flexible Spending Account (FSA) or Health Savings Account (HSA). However, you should plan to pay for your portion of the cost with your debit card, credit card or via electronic payment from your bank account (ACH), then seek reimbursement from your FSA or HSA. You may download a receipt for your portion of the cost that you may submit with your request for reimbursement from your FSA or HSA. You should not link your FSA or HSA debit card directly to your RxSaveCard account because it may result in denied claims or other processing issues. Instructions for filing FSA or HSA claims can be found at hr.washu.edu/benefits/savings-accounts/.
Since Wegovy and Zepbound are not covered under WashU’s prescription drug program administered by Express Scripts, it is unlikely that manufacturer coupon or codes will be available. However, the terms and conditions for using a manufacturer coupon or code are set by the manufacturer and not by WashU.
All other prescription drugs continue to be covered through the prescription drug benefit that is part of WashU’s medical plans, administered by Express Scripts. To learn more, please visit hr.washu.edu/benefits/medical-dental-life/prescription-drug-benefit.
Need help?
Contact the Benefits Team by email at hr-benefitsmail@wustl.edu or by telephone at 314-935-2332, option #1, or toll-free at 866-232-1482.