Quick answer: Foundayo cost in October 2026 starts at $149 a month for the lowest dose through Lilly’s self-pay program, and higher doses cost more.[2] The list price is $649 for 30 tablets.[3] With commercial coverage, the savings card can bring it to $25 a month, and eligible Medicare Part D enrollees pay $50 a month.[2][5]
Prices and program terms checked October 2026. They change often; confirm with the manufacturer or your plan.
Foundayo is the brand name for orforglipron, a once-daily GLP-1 pill for weight management. FDA approved it on April 1, 2026, after a 50-day review.[1] Unlike oral semaglutide, it can be taken any time of day, with or without food.[2] For other drugs in this class, see our GLP-1 and weight-loss drugs hub.
Foundayo price table
| How you pay | Monthly cost | Who qualifies |
|---|---|---|
| List price (WAC) | $649 per 30 tablets, any strength[3] | What a pharmacy starts from |
| LillyDirect self-pay | From $149 (0.8 mg); higher doses cost more[2] | Anyone with a prescription paying cash |
| Foundayo Savings Card | As little as $25[2] | Commercial insurance that covers Foundayo |
| Medicare GLP-1 Bridge | $50[5] | Part D enrollees who meet criteria |
WAC (wholesale acquisition cost) is Lilly’s price to wholesalers before discounts. Lilly’s disclosure lists the same $649 for all six strengths, from 0.8 mg to 17.2 mg.[3]
Self-pay price through LillyDirect
Lilly’s launch announcement set self-pay pricing at $149 a month for the lowest dose.[2] In its November 2025 agreement with the federal government, Lilly said orforglipron would cost $149 at the lowest dose and up to $399 for higher doses.[4] Lilly’s LillyDirect site lists the current price for each dose. We could not confirm every dose tier directly, so check it before you fill.
Why the price changes over time. The label starts at 0.8 mg once daily and raises the dose in steps, at least 30 days apart, up to a maximum of 17.2 mg.[1][7] Because self-pay prices are tiered by dose, your monthly cost usually rises during the first months. Your prescriber decides how far to go.
Self-pay purchases generally don’t count toward an insurance deductible.
Tips for keeping the self-pay cost down: confirm the price for your exact dose before each fill, ask whether a lower-priced dose tier applies to you, and refill on time so you don’t need to restart at a lower dose after a long gap. Stopping and restarting can mean paying again for the starting steps.
Foundayo savings card (commercial insurance)
If you have commercial insurance that covers Foundayo, you may pay as little as $25 a month with the Foundayo Savings Card.[2] Like other manufacturer cards, it is not for people with Medicare, Medicaid or other government coverage.
Before you fill:
- Search your plan’s formulary (drug list) for “Foundayo” or “orforglipron.” As a new drug, it may not be listed yet, or may need prior authorization.
- If prior authorization is required, your prescriber submits it.
- Activate the savings card and give it to your pharmacy with your insurance card.
- If your plan doesn’t cover Foundayo, ask whether self-pay is cheaper for your dose.
If your plan doesn’t cover Foundayo yet
Foundayo has been on the market only since April 2026, and new drugs often take months to appear on insurance formularies. Many employer plans also exclude weight-loss drugs entirely. If your plan says no:
- Ask whether the exclusion is for the drug or for all weight-loss drugs. If the plan covers some weight-loss drugs, your prescriber can request a formulary exception.
- Ask about prior authorization criteria. Plans that cover weight-loss drugs usually require a BMI threshold and documented diet and exercise efforts.
- Compare with self-pay. At the starting dose, self-pay ($149) may cost less than a high deductible.[2]
- Use pre-tax money. Prescription drugs are generally an eligible expense for health savings accounts (HSAs) and flexible spending accounts (FSAs); check your plan’s rules.
Medicare: the $50 GLP-1 Bridge
Medicare Part D plans cannot cover drugs used only for weight loss.[10] The Medicare GLP-1 Bridge is a temporary exception. From July 1, 2026 to December 31, 2027, eligible people pay $50 a month for Foundayo, Wegovy or Zepbound KwikPen.[5][6]
Key rules:
- You must have Part D and be at least 18.[5]
- You need a BMI of 35 or more; or 30 or more with certain heart failure, hard-to-control blood pressure or kidney disease; or 27 or more with prediabetes or a past heart attack, stroke or leg artery disease.[5]
- People with type 2 diabetes, moderate-to-severe sleep apnea or fatty liver disease are not eligible and should check their regular Part D plan.[5]
- Your prescriber submits a prior authorization form. Refills on the same drug don’t need a new approval, even if the dose changes.[5]
- The $50 does not count toward your Part D deductible or yearly out-of-pocket limit.[5]
Foundayo vs other weight-loss options on cost
| Drug | Form | Self-pay, starting dose | Self-pay, maintenance |
|---|---|---|---|
| Foundayo | Daily pill | $149[2] | Higher; see LillyDirect |
| Wegovy pill | Daily pill | $149 (1.5 mg)[9] | $299 (9 and 25 mg)[9] |
| Wegovy injection | Weekly shot | $199 intro[9] | $349[9] |
A practical difference that can affect cost and adherence: Foundayo has no food or water timing rules, while the Wegovy pill must be taken on an empty stomach with a small amount of water, followed by a wait before eating.[2][11] If a strict morning routine is hard for you, missed doses can waste money.
In the ATTAIN-1 trial, adults with obesity who took the highest orforglipron dose for 72 weeks lost more weight than those on placebo.[8] Lilly reports that people on the highest dose who stayed on treatment lost an average of 12.4% of their body weight, versus 0.9% on placebo.[2]
For a head-to-head look at the evidence, see orforglipron vs tirzepatide. For other lower-cost options, compare Saxenda cost and Contrave cost.
