Does health insurance cover the cost of Ozempic?

Ozempic is a medication that has been in the spotlight a lot in recent years, especially due to its role in weight loss. More and more people are considering using Ozempic as an aid for weight loss, for example Goodweighthrough the program. But an important question is: is Ozempic covered by health insurance in the Netherlands? We explain this in this article.

What is Ozempic?

Ozempic is a medication whose active ingredient is semaglutide. It was originally developed for type 2 diabetes patients, but it has also proven effective for weight loss, especially when combined with lifestyle counseling.

Is Ozempic covered in the Netherlands?

Yes, but only under strict conditions. Ozempic is covered in the Netherlands only if you use it to treat type 2 diabetes and if you meet certain medical criteria. In that case, the coverage is included in the basic insurance plan.

Are you using Ozempic solely for weight loss without a diabetes diagnosis? In that case it is not covered, and you will have to pay for it yourself.

Reimbursement criteria for diabetes treatment:

• You have type 2 diabetes.
• Other medications are not effective enough.
• Your doctor prescribes Ozempic for medical reasons.

Why is Ozempic not covered for weight loss?

Health insurance companies follow the recommendation of the National Health Care Institute (Zorginstituut Nederland). The institute has so far determined that Ozempic (or other GLP-1 medications) is not yet included in the reimbursement system for individuals who only have overweight or obesity. The reason? Long-term effects, costs, and effectiveness are still being studied for this target group.

What does Ozempic cost without reimbursement?

If you have to pay for Ozempic yourself, the costs in the Netherlands are on average about 250–450 euros per pen (depending on the dosage, medical visits, and the pharmacy). Generally, one pen is used per month.

With the Goodweigh service, the medication is included in the monthly package, so you always know exactly what your costs will be.

What is the difference between Ozempic and Wegovy?

Recently, in addition to Ozempic, you hear the name Wegovy , and there is no reason to do so unnecessarily. Both medications contain semaglutide as the active ingredient and belong to the same class of drugs (GLP-1 agonists). The difference lies mainly in the dosage and the approved indications for use. Ozempic has been developed for type 2 diabetes treatment, and in the Netherlands, it is also reimbursed for this specific indication. Wegovy contains a higher dose of semaglutide and is specifically registered for the treatment of obesity and overweight . Currently, Wegovy is not reimbursed in the Netherlands. The Dutch National Health Care Institute (Zorginstituut Nederland) issued a negative recommendation regarding reimbursement in July 2024, primarily due to high costs and limited long-term data.

What are the alternatives to Ozempic?

Ozempic is not the only option for supporting weight loss. There are other GLP-1 medications, such as liraglutide (e.g., Saxenda), which are also used to treat overweight, but these are also not currently to replace without a diabetes diagnosis. In addition, there are non-pharmacological alternatives: for example, intensive lifestyle change programs, coaching programs, nutritionists, or programs that combine medication with lifestyle coaching, where behavioral change plays a central role. In some cases, a combination of lifestyle coaching and medication can be effective, provided it is carried out with appropriate guidance and is medically justified, as in the Goodweigh program.

Ozempic through Goodweigh

Goodweigh is a digital weight loss program where you are guided by a doctor and a lifestyle coach. If you are eligible for GLP-1 medication, such as Ozempic, a doctor may prescribe it for you, but only if it is medically justified.

Please note: Goodweigh is not covered by standard health insurance. This means that you pay for the program and the medication yourself.

Want to know if Ozempic is right for you?

At Goodweigh, we always start with an initial assessment. One of our doctors will evaluate your health status and decide with you whether a GLP-1 medication, such as Ozempic, is suitable for you. You will also receive personalized lifestyle counseling and regular follow-ups.