The cash price is what someone pays out of pocket, with no insurance involved. For most people buying a GLP-1 for weight management it is the number that matters, because coverage is inconsistent.
It is not one number. The same drug carries several, depending on the route:
- Manufacturer direct — the drug maker’s own self-pay pharmacy.
- Discount card — a coupon-service price; varies by pharmacy and ZIP code.
- Telehealth — a platform price, sometimes with a separate monthly membership fee.
A membership fee is part of the real cost. A cheaper drug sitting behind a $99/month membership can total more than a pricier one with no fee, so the cost calculator ranks options by the combined total rather than the drug price alone. Compare against list price.