Novo Nordisk sells some of the most expensive blockbuster drugs in America, from Ozempic and Wegovy to Tresiba and Victoza, and the Novocare patient assistance program is how the company provides those medications free of charge to patients who cannot afford them. The Novocare patient assistance program (branded as NovoCare PAP or the Novo Nordisk Patient Assistance Program) is income-based and separate from NovoCare’s commercial savings cards. Knowing which track you qualify for can save you thousands per year. For broader context on prescription assistance, see our healthcare costs guide.
Two Different Programs Under the NovoCare Umbrella
NovoCare is Novo Nordisk’s support hub, and it contains two distinct programs that patients often confuse. The first is the NovoCare Savings Card, which lowers copays for commercially insured patients to as little as $25 for Ozempic, $0 for Wegovy with coverage, or similar low amounts for Victoza, Levemir, Tresiba, and NovoLog. This is a commercial discount, not free medication, and it is not available to patients on Medicare, Medicaid, Tricare, or VA benefits.
The second is the Novo Nordisk Patient Assistance Program (PAP), which provides free medication shipped directly to qualifying patients or their prescribers. The PAP is the real “assistance” program most uninsured or underinsured patients are searching for when they type “Novocare patient assistance program” into Google. Everything that follows in this article refers to the PAP unless noted otherwise.
Who Qualifies for the Novocare Patient Assistance Program
To receive free Novo Nordisk medication through the PAP, patients must meet four core criteria published at NovoCare.com. You must be a US citizen or legal resident. Your total household income must be at or below 400% of the federal poverty level, which in 2026 works out to roughly $60,240 for an individual and $124,800 for a family of four based on HHS guidelines.
You must be uninsured, or if you have Medicare Part D, you must have spent at least $1,000 on prescription drugs already in the current calendar year and not be eligible for Extra Help. Medicaid enrollees are generally excluded because Medicaid already covers Novo Nordisk drugs. Patients with commercial insurance are directed to the NovoCare Savings Card instead.
Which Medications Are Covered
The Novocare patient assistance program covers most Novo Nordisk branded products that do not have generic equivalents. Covered drugs include Ozempic, Rybelsus, Victoza, Saxenda, Wegovy (for obesity), Levemir, Tresiba, NovoLog, Fiasp, Tresiba U-200, Xultophy, Esperoct, NovoSeven, and several growth hormone products like Norditropin.
Not every strength or device version is automatically covered, and the list changes as products are discontinued or launched. The most current list lives on the NovoCare website. Novo Nordisk typically approves a 120-day supply at a time, with the option to reapply for continued enrollment.
How to Apply Step by Step
The application process takes about two to four weeks from submission to first shipment. First, download the Novo Nordisk Patient Assistance Program application form from NovoCare.com or call 1-866-310-7549 to have one mailed to you. You complete the patient section with personal, income, and insurance information, and sign an authorization for income verification.
Your prescribing physician completes the prescriber section with the diagnosis, medication name, strength, dose, and quantity. Both sections must be submitted together, usually by fax to 1-866-441-4190 or by mail. You will also need to include proof of income, such as a recent tax return (Form 1040), recent pay stubs, or a signed attestation letter if you have no documentable income.
Novo Nordisk reviews the application and notifies you and your prescriber of approval or denial. Approved medication is shipped to the prescriber’s office or, in some cases, directly to the patient’s home for a 90 to 120 day supply.
What to Do If You’re Denied or Ineligible
Patients who fall just outside the 400% FPL income cap or who have commercial insurance with high deductibles have other options. The NovoCare Savings Card already mentioned is the primary alternative for commercially insured patients. For Wegovy specifically, Novo Nordisk’s self-pay NovoCare Pharmacy offers Wegovy at $499 per month out of pocket, which is well below typical cash pharmacy prices of $1,300 to $1,600.
If you are on Medicare and do not qualify for the PAP, apply for the Medicare Extra Help program through the Social Security Administration, which can reduce your Part D costs significantly, and explore the new Medicare Prescription Payment Plan (M3P) that caps annual out-of-pocket spending at $2,100 in 2026 and spreads it over 12 monthly installments. Third-party nonprofits like the Patient Access Network Foundation (panfoundation.org), HealthWell Foundation, and NeedyMeds.org maintain directories of disease-specific copay assistance.
How NovoCare PAP Differs From GoodRx and Discount Cards
NovoCare PAP gives you free medication. GoodRx, SingleCare, and ScriptSave WellRx give you a cash discount you still have to pay. For Novo Nordisk drugs, GoodRx typically knocks 5% to 15% off the retail price of branded medications like Ozempic, bringing a month’s supply from about $1,000 down to roughly $850 to $950. That is useful but nowhere near free.
If you are truly unable to pay, the PAP is the preferred route. If you are insured but facing a high copay, start with the NovoCare Savings Card. Our GoodRx explained article and Tresiba PAP guide compare these paths in more detail.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the Novocare patient assistance program really free?
Yes. Qualifying patients receive their Novo Nordisk medication at no cost, and there is no application fee. The program is funded by Novo Nordisk as part of its corporate responsibility and regulatory commitments.
How long does the Novocare PAP application take?
Most applications are processed within two to four weeks. Incomplete applications take longer. Call NovoCare at 1-866-310-7549 to check status if you have not heard back within 30 days.
Can I get Wegovy through the Novocare patient assistance program?
Wegovy is technically covered by the PAP for patients who meet income and insurance criteria, but approval rates for weight-loss indications are mixed. Many Wegovy applicants are directed to the NovoCare Savings Card or the $499 self-pay program instead.
Do I need a doctor to apply?
Yes. Your prescribing physician must complete the prescriber section of the application and sign it. PAP medication is shipped to the prescriber’s office in most cases, so ongoing coordination with your doctor is required.
Does the Novocare patient assistance program accept Medicare patients?
Medicare Part D patients can qualify only if they have already spent at least $1,000 out of pocket in the current year on prescriptions and are not enrolled in Extra Help. Most Medicare patients are better served by applying for Extra Help or using the new M3P payment plan.
The Bottom Line
The Novocare patient assistance program provides free Novo Nordisk medications to uninsured and underinsured patients earning up to 400% of the federal poverty level. Apply directly at NovoCare.com or by calling 1-866-310-7549, attach proof of income, and coordinate with your prescriber. If you have commercial insurance, use the NovoCare Savings Card instead; if you are on Medicare, look into Extra Help and the Medicare Prescription Payment Plan.