Is Ozempic covered by health insurance?

Ozempic is a drug that has received a lot of attention in recent years, mainly because of its role in weight loss. More and more people are considering Ozempic as weight loss support, for example through a program like Goodweigh. But an important question is: becomes Ozempic reimbursed by health insurance in the Netherlands? In this article, we explain it.

What is Ozempic?

Ozempic is a medicine with semaglutide as active substance. It was originally developed for people with type 2 diabetes, but it also appears to be effective with weight loss, especially in combination with lifestyle guidance.

Is Ozempic reimbursed in the Netherlands?

Yes, but only under strict conditions. Ozempic is only reimbursed in the Netherlands if you use it to treat type 2 diabetes, and if you meet certain medical criteria. The reimbursement then falls under the basic insurance.

Do you only use Ozempic to lose weight?, without a diabetes diagnosis? then it will not be reimbursed and you have to pay for it yourself.

Conditions for reimbursement in case of diabetes:

• You have type 2 diabetes.
• Other agents have insufficient effect.
• Your doctor prescribes Ozempic for medical reasons.

Why is Ozempic not reimbursed for weight loss?

The health insurers follow the advice of the Health Institute Netherlands. That institute has so far determined that Ozempic (or other GLP-1 medication) is not yet included in the compensation package for people who are only overweight or obese. The reason? Research into the long-term effects, costs and effectiveness for this target group is still ongoing.

What does Ozempic cost without compensation?

If you have to pay for Ozempic yourself, the costs in the Netherlands are on average around €250 to €450 per pen (depending on dosage, guidance and pharmacy). You usually use one pen per month.

At Goodweigh, the medication is included in the monthly package, so you always know where you stand in terms of costs.

What's the difference between Ozempic and Wegovy?

Lately, in addition to Ozempic, you also hear the name Wegovy more often, and for good reason. Both medications contain semaglutide as active substance and belong to the same drug group (GLP-1 agonists). The difference lies mainly in the dosage and what they are approved for. Ozempic has been developed for the treatment of type 2 diabetes and is also reimbursed for that indication in the Netherlands. Wegovy contains a higher dose of semaglutide and is specifically registered for the treatment of obesity and overweight. At the moment, Wegovy becomes not reimbursed in the Netherlands. The Health Institute Netherlands gave negative advice about reimbursement in July 2024, mainly due to the high costs and limited long-term data.

What are alternatives to Ozempic?

Ozempic isn't the only option when it comes to weight loss support. There are other forms of GLP-1 medication, such as liraglutide (e.g. Saxenda), which are also used for obesity, but these are also currently being used not reimbursed without a diabetes diagnosis. In addition, there are non-drug alternatives: think of intensive lifestyle programs, coaching programs, nutrition experts or programs with medication and lifestyle guidance, which focus on behavioral change. In some cases, a combination of lifestyle guidance and medication can be effective, if properly supervised and medically responsible, such as Goodweigh.

Ozempic via Goodweigh

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

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

Want to know if Ozempic is for you?

At Goodweigh, we always start with an intake. One of our doctors will review your health situation and work with you to determine whether GLP-1 medication such as Ozempic is suitable. You will also receive personal lifestyle guidance and regular follow-up.