Washington Medicaid GLP-1 Coverage: Wegovy, Zepbound
Not for weight loss. Washington Medicaid covers GLP-1s only for type 2 diabetes and other approved uses. Apple Health does not cover Zepbound for weight loss; GLP-1s are covered for diabetes and other approved uses with criteria.
- For weight loss
- Not covered
- For type 2 diabetes
- Covered
- Weight loss, KFF survey January 2026
- Not covered
Does Washington Medicaid cover GLP-1s?
- Including DC, 41 Medicaid programs now leave GLP-1s uncovered when weight loss is the goal. Washington is one of them, and 10 programs do cover them.
- In January 2026, 13 state Medicaid programs in the US covered GLP-1s when they were used for weight loss.
Sources: hca.wa.gov, KFF.
The drugs: Wegovy, Zepbound, Ozempic, Mounjaro
| Medicine | Main use | In Washington Medicaid | Every state |
|---|---|---|---|
 Wegovy | Weight loss | Not covered | Wegovy and Medicaid |
 Zepbound | Weight loss | Not covered | Zepbound and Medicaid |
 Foundayo | Weight loss | Not covered | Not listed |
 Saxenda | Weight loss | Not covered | Saxenda and Medicaid |
 Ozempic | Type 2 diabetes | Covered for type 2 diabetes | Ozempic and Medicaid |
 Mounjaro | Type 2 diabetes | Covered for type 2 diabetes | Mounjaro and Medicaid |
 Rybelsus | Type 2 diabetes | Covered for type 2 diabetes | Rybelsus and Medicaid |
 Trulicity | Type 2 diabetes | Covered for type 2 diabetes | Trulicity and Medicaid |
 Victoza | Type 2 diabetes | Covered for type 2 diabetes | Victoza and Medicaid |
Sources: hca.wa.gov.
Prior authorization rules
- Prior authorization for GLP-1s is common in state Medicaid programs
- For diabetes, the records include a recent A1C and your diagnosis. Your measured BMI and weight-related conditions are needed when weight-loss coverage applies.
- Your prescriber is the one who submits the request to your Medicaid plan.
Source: KFF.
How to check your plan
- Look up the drug on the state's list: Washington Medicaid drug list.
- If a managed care plan handles your Medicaid, ask about prior authorization for the drug using the member number on your card.
- Ask your prescriber: which GLP-1 drug is preferred? Preferred drugs are approved faster.
- Keep the approval or denial notice, since it shows which rule applies.
Which Washington brand pages are relevant?
- Does Medicaid Cover Wegovy? Criteria, Copay, How to Appeal
- Does Medicaid Cover Zepbound? State-by-State Coverage
- Does Medicaid Cover Saxenda? Criteria, Copay, How to Appeal
- Does Medicaid Cover Ozempic? Criteria, Copay, How to Appeal
- Does Medicaid Cover Mounjaro? State-by-State Rules and PA
- Does Medicaid Cover Rybelsus? Criteria, Copay, How to Appeal
- Does Medicaid Cover Trulicity? Criteria, Copay, How to Appeal
- Does Medicaid Cover Victoza? Criteria, Copay, How to Appeal
- Does Medicaid Cover GLP-1? Criteria, Copay, How to Appeal
- Medicare GLP-1 Coverage
- Is GLP-1 Covered by Insurance? Criteria, Copay, Appeal
What if Washington Medicaid says no?
- If your plan turns down a drug for which you qualify, ask for a state fair hearing.
- You cannot use manufacturer savings cards with Medicaid, because their terms exclude government plans.
Sources: foundayo.lilly.com, TrumpRx, NovoCare, CMS.