Mounjaro patient assistance program options are narrower than many people expect: as of October 2026, Mounjaro is not on the Lilly Cares list of free medicines, so Lilly’s patient assistance foundation cannot supply it.[1] Lilly’s Mounjaro help comes instead through the savings card (as little as $25 with commercial coverage) and LillyDirect self-pay pricing from $499 a month.[5][6]
Prices and program terms checked October 2026. They change often; confirm with the manufacturer or your plan.
For what Mounjaro is and how it works, see our tirzepatide profile.
What Lilly Cares is
Lilly Cares Foundation is a nonprofit that gives prescribed Lilly medicines free for up to 12 months to qualifying U.S. patients with financial need.[3] It covers only the products on its published list. In October 2026 that list includes Trulicity and several insulins but not Mounjaro or Zepbound.[1]
Because Mounjaro is not listed, an application for free Mounjaro does not fit the program. If you see a website promising to enroll you in “the Mounjaro patient assistance program” for a fee, be cautious. Lilly Cares does not charge for enrollment or refills and says it is not affiliated with third parties that charge for its help.[2]
Lilly Cares eligibility, in case another Lilly drug fits
If you and your prescriber decide that a Lilly medicine on the list is appropriate, Lilly Cares eligibility looks like this:[2]
- You are a permanent U.S. resident (including Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands).
- You are not enrolled in Medicaid, full Extra Help (the Medicare Low Income Subsidy) or VA benefits.
- You meet the insurance rules for that medicine group (most groups accept people with no insurance or with Medicare Part D).
- Your household income is at or below the limit.
| Medicine group | Examples | Income limit | 1-person household (2026) | 4-person household (2026) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Group 1 | Trulicity | 300% of poverty level | $47,880 | $99,000 |
| Group 2 | Basaglar, Humalog, Humulin, Lyumjev | 400% of poverty level | $63,840 | $132,000 |
Figures are from Lilly Cares’ 2026 guidelines; Alaska and Hawaii residents should call for their limits.[2] Employer plans that require you to apply to Lilly Cares as a condition of coverage (so-called alternate funding programs) make you ineligible.[2]
Trulicity is dulaglutide, a once-weekly GLP-1 drug for type 2 diabetes. It is a different medicine from Mounjaro, and only your prescriber can say whether it suits you.
Lilly’s other Mounjaro savings options
Mounjaro Savings Card (commercial insurance)
If you have commercial insurance and your plan covers Mounjaro, you may pay as little as $25 for a 1-, 2- or 3-month fill. If your commercial plan does not cover it, you may pay as low as $499 a month. Government beneficiaries are excluded, and the card expires December 31, 2026.[5] See our Mounjaro savings card guide.
LillyDirect self-pay (no insurance)
People without coverage can buy Mounjaro through LillyDirect at a self-pay price starting at $499 a month for any dose, with home delivery or retail pickup.[6] See Mounjaro cost without insurance.
Lilly Answers Center
Lilly says patients without commercial insurance who need help can call the Lilly Answers Center at 1-800-545-5979 for information on other affordability options.[4]
Help through Medicare and Medicaid
- Medicare Part D: Mounjaro is approved for type 2 diabetes,[7] and Lilly says it is covered on many Part D plans. About 8 in 10 Part D patients pay $0 to $50 for a 28-day supply; the rest average about $262.[5] Lilly also points Part D members to the Medicare Prescription Payment Plan, which spreads drug costs into monthly payments.[5]
- Extra Help: Medicare’s Low Income Subsidy lowers Part D costs for people with limited income. Note that people with full Extra Help are not eligible for Lilly Cares.[2]
- Medicaid: coverage and copays vary by state. Lilly points people to Medicaid.gov to check eligibility.[4]
Comparing your options
| Your situation | Best Lilly route for Mounjaro |
|---|---|
| Commercial plan covers Mounjaro | Savings card: as little as $25[5] |
| Commercial plan excludes Mounjaro | Savings card: as low as $499, or LillyDirect self-pay from $499[5][6] |
| No insurance | LillyDirect self-pay from $499[6] |
| Medicare Part D | Your Part D plan copay; most pay $0 to $50[5] |
| Low income, no insurance | No free Mounjaro; ask your prescriber whether a Lilly Cares medicine fits[1] |
Common misunderstandings
“Lilly Cares covers every Lilly medicine.” It does not. The foundation lists specific products, grouped by income and insurance rules, and Mounjaro is not among them as of October 2026.[1][2]
“The savings card is for people without insurance.” Both Mounjaro savings card tiers require commercial drug insurance. People with no insurance use LillyDirect self-pay instead.[5][6]
“Medicare patients can use the $25 card.” They cannot. The card excludes Medicare, Part D, Medicare Advantage, Medigap and other government programs.[5]
“You need a paid service to apply.” Lilly Cares says it does not charge for enrollment, refills or participation, and is not affiliated with companies that charge for that help.[2]
“Mounjaro and Zepbound have separate assistance.” Neither brand of tirzepatide is on the Lilly Cares list, so the options are the same kind for both: savings cards, LillyDirect self-pay, and Medicare or Medicaid.[1]
Steps to take if Mounjaro is unaffordable
- Ask your plan whether Mounjaro is covered for type 2 diabetes and what prior authorization it needs. A coverage denial can often be appealed with your prescriber’s help.
- Check whether you qualify for the savings card if you have any commercial insurance.[5]
- Price LillyDirect self-pay if you are uninsured.[6]
- Talk to your prescriber about alternatives that are covered or available through Lilly Cares.[1]
- Review Medicare or Medicaid eligibility if your income or age has changed.
- Recheck each January. The savings card expires December 31, 2026, and Lilly Cares updates its income limits each year using new federal poverty guidelines.[2][5] A program that did not fit this year may fit next year, and the list of available medicines can change.
For a full comparison of programs across both tirzepatide brands, see our tirzepatide coupon guide and the Zepbound patient assistance program guide.
