At a Glance
Ozempic isn’t FDA-approved to treat obstructive sleep apnea, so most insurance plans won’t cover it for that purpose, even though weight loss from the drug may help reduce symptoms. Instead, coverage typically applies only if the medication is prescribed for an FDA-approved use like type 2 diabetes management, and other sleep apnea treatments, such as CPAP or Zepbound, may be recommended.
Ozempic has gained attention recently for its role in weight management, but insurance coverage for people with sleep apnea isn’t always straightforward.
Ozempic, the brand name for semaglutide, is a weight-loss medication classified as a GLP-1 receptor agonist that helps control blood sugar levels and reduce the risk of serious heart and kidney problems for people with type 2 diabetes. Because weight loss can sometimes improve sleep apnea symptoms, some people consider Ozempic as part of their sleep apnea management.
Understanding how insurance coverage works—and what alternatives may be available—can help you make informed decisions about your treatment options.
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How Does Ozempic Work for Sleep Apnea?
Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) occurs when soft tissues in the neck relax during sleep, blocking the airway and causing repeated episodes of labored or completely stopped breathing. This leads to drops in oxygen levels and repeated awakenings, even if you do not remember them. OSA is more common in people with overweight or obesity, as they’re more likely to carry extra fat around their neck. Fat tissue around the tongue and airway also plays a role.
Losing extra weight has been shown to reduce symptoms of OSA, so the logic is that weight-loss medications like Ozempic may indirectly help treat sleep apnea. There’s limited research that supports this idea, however, Ozempic likely won’t be beneficial for treating sleep apnea symptoms in people whose sleep apnea isn’t due to obesity.
Unlike with a CPAP machine or an oral appliance, weight-loss drugs are less likely to have an immediate effect on sleep apnea symptoms. Rather, any benefit would more likely appear once you’ve started to lose noticeable weight. This process often takes months, not weeks.
If you’re planning to use weight-loss medication, it’s important to work with a doctor and focus on diet, exercise, and sleep hygiene as well. And if you’re currently using CPAP therapy or another OSA treatment, don’t stop using it without consulting your doctor first. Stopping CPAP too early is a common mistake and even if symptoms feel better, untreated sleep apnea can still stress the heart and brain.
Is Ozempic Approved for Sleep Apnea?
Ozempic is not currently FDA-approved as a treatment for sleep apnea. However, it does have FDA approval for controlling blood sugar levels and heart health in adults with type 2 diabetes. More recently, Ozempic was also approved for safeguarding kidney health in adults with type 2 diabetes and chronic kidney disease. These approvals do not extend to sleep disorders.
Recently, the FDA granted approval for a similar drug called tirzepatide (brand name Zepbound) to treat moderate to severe OSA in adults who also have obesity. This marks the first time the FDA has approved a medication to address OSA via the cause, rather than treating the symptoms. Tirzepatide may be a better choice than Ozempic for treating sleep apnea, and insurance is more likely to cover it thanks to the FDA approval.
It’s important to note that, like all drugs, these weight-loss drugs come with side effects, some of them serious. Most notably, Ozempic may contribute to the development of thyroid tumors in people with preexisting risk factors. Other sleep apnea treatments such as CPAP therapy have a more favorable safety profile and proven track record for treating sleep apnea. CPAP remains the gold standard because it works immediately and consistently.
Will Insurance Cover Ozempic for Sleep Apnea?
Insurance coverage varies by provider, but most insurance companies likely won’t cover Ozempic for sleep apnea, since it isn’t an FDA-approved use for the drug.In some cases, you may be able to get insurance coverage for Zepbound to treat sleep apnea if you also have obesity and other treatment methods such as CPAP therapy haven’t worked. Documentation of CPAP intolerance or failure is often required.
Insurers may cover Ozempic to manage complications related to type 2 diabetes. If you happen to have both diabetes and OSA and your doctor prescribes Ozempic, you may find it also helps with OSA symptoms. However, you shouldn’t stop using CPAP therapy without talking to your doctor first.
How to Check Your Insurance Coverage
Each insurance plan is different, but you should be able to find information relating to Ozempic coverage in the formulary, which is a list of medications covered by your plan. Insurance companies typically break down drugs into several tiers, with costs increasing for higher-tier drugs. Since Ozempic doesn’t have a generic version, it’s likely to be more costly than lower-tier drugs. Prior authorization is common.
If you’re unsure about insurance coverage for Ozempic, talk to your healthcare provider or ask your insurance company directly. NovoCare, a site created by Ozempic’s manufacturer, also provides an online form where you can submit your personal medical details to see if you qualify for insurance coverage. This process does not guarantee approval for sleep apnea.
Alternatives if Insurance Won’t Cover Ozempic
You can reduce sleep apnea symptoms with a combination of lifestyle changes and sleep apnea treatments. If you have overweight or obesity, try adopting a healthy, calorie-reduced diet and creating an exercise plan to lose some of the excess weight. Talk to your doctor first if you’re new to exercise. Even moderate weight loss has measurable benefits for breathing during sleep.
There are also several effective treatments for obstructive sleep apnea.
- CPAP therapy: CPAP therapy keeps the airway open during sleep by blowing air through a mask into your nose and/or mouth. It prevents airway collapse regardless of body weight.
- Oral appliances: Oral appliances are an alternative to CPAP therapy. They pull the lower jaw or tongue forward to open up the throat. They work best in mild to moderate severity of sleep apnea.
- Surgery: Surgery may help if your sleep apnea is caused by a physical structure, such as large tonsils or a deviated septum. Surgical outcomes can vary.
Frequently Asked Questions
Medicare Part D offers coverage for medically necessary drugs, but since Ozempic isn't for FDA-approved for sleep apnea, plans aren't likely to offer coverage for sleep apnea, since it isn’t an FDA-approved use for the drug. However, Medicare may cover Zepbound for sleep apnea.
Through Medicare and Medicaid, the copay for Ozempic is $50 per month. As with private insurance plans, you’ll need to meet your yearly deductible. Medicare is in the process of negotiating lower prices for Ozempic, which may make the drug more accessible in future. These negotiations do not change coverage rules for sleep apnea.
The monthly price for purchasing Ozempic outside of an insurance plan varies depending on your personal situation. The list price is $997.58 per month, though the actual price may vary depending on where you buy it. Thanks to recent changes, most people will pay much less when purchasing Ozempic outside of an insurance plan.
If it’s your first time purchasing Ozempic, you may be eligible to obtain the injection for $199 per month for a maximum of two months before March 31, 2026. After this, the price goes up to $349 per month when purchased directly from Novo Nordisk or $499 per month for the larger 8-milligram dose. These prices reflect weight and diabetes indications, not sleep apnea treatment.
For the first three months, Connective Rx, on behalf of Novo Nordisk, offers Ozempic starting from $25 per month for people who have a qualifying non-governmental insurance plan. However, the offer is only valid if you have a prescription for one of the conditions that Ozempic is FDA-approved to treat, so you currently aren’t able to use it for obstructive sleep apnea. After the first three months, the price goes up. Patients with sleep apnea alone do not qualify.
Insurance generally won’t cover Ozempic for sleep apnea. If your doctor prescribes Ozempic for an FDA-approved reason, such as to manage heart or kidney complications related to obesity, insurance usually offers coverage for as long as you can prove the medication is helping you.
Written by
Danielle Pacheco, Contributing WriterDanielle is originally from Vancouver, BC, where she has spent many hours staring at her ceiling trying to fall asleep. She channels her frustration into researching sleep solutions and sharing insights with fellow insomniacs. Danielle spends her downtime trying out new recipes and working off the calories on the soccer field. Danielle studied the science of sleep with a degree in psychology at the University of British Columbia.
Reviewed by
Lulu Guo, MD, Medical ReviewerDr. Lulu Guo is a graduate of the prestigious Medical Scholars program at Michigan State University and was admitted into medical school at the age of seventeen after completing undergraduate studies in two years. She is double board-certified in Family and Sleep Medicine.
