Wegovy: What It Is, Who It's For, and How to Get Insurance Approval

When you hear Wegovy, a once-weekly injectable medication approved for chronic weight management in adults with obesity or overweight. Also known as semaglutide, it’s part of a newer class of drugs called GLP-1 receptor agonists that help your brain feel full faster and slow down digestion. Unlike older weight loss pills that just suppress appetite, Wegovy works with your body’s natural hunger signals—making it more effective and less likely to cause crashes or rebound weight gain.

Wegovy isn’t for everyone. It’s meant for adults with a BMI of 30 or higher, or 27 and above with at least one weight-related condition like high blood pressure, type 2 diabetes, or sleep apnea. It’s not a magic pill—you still need to eat better and move more. But for people who’ve tried diets and exercise without lasting results, Wegovy can be a game-changer. Many users report losing 15% or more of their body weight in a year, which can mean major improvements in energy, joint pain, and blood sugar control. It’s closely related to Ozempic, a similar drug originally designed for type 2 diabetes. Both contain the same active ingredient, but Wegovy is dosed higher specifically for weight loss. If you’ve heard about Ozempic from celebrities or friends, you’re likely hearing about the same drug family—just used for different goals.

Getting Wegovy approved by insurance is often the biggest hurdle. Most plans, including Express Scripts, a major pharmacy benefit manager that handles prescriptions for millions of Americans, require prior authorization before covering it. That means your doctor has to prove you’ve tried other weight loss methods, show your BMI qualifies, and sometimes document related health risks. Denials are common—especially if your plan doesn’t yet recognize weight loss as a medical priority. But appeals work. Many people get approved after submitting medical records, lab results, or even a letter from their doctor explaining why Wegovy is medically necessary, not just convenient.

There are alternatives if your insurance won’t budge. Some patients switch to generic semaglutide programs, use manufacturer savings cards, or explore weight loss clinics that offer payment plans. Others try lifestyle changes combined with supplements like berberine or vitamin D—though none match Wegovy’s results. What’s clear is this: if you’re serious about long-term weight loss and have tried everything else, Wegovy might be the tool you’ve been waiting for. The real question isn’t whether it works—it’s whether you can get it approved and stick with it.

Below, you’ll find real guides on how to get Express Scripts to approve Wegovy, what to do if you’re denied, and how it compares to other weight loss medications people are actually using right now.