Alberta Blue Cross coverage for Ozempic, Mounjaro, Wegovy and Zepbound
By GLP1Prices Editorial · Plan rules checked October 24, 2026 · Sources under each section
The short answer
On Alberta's government-sponsored drug programs, which Alberta Blue Cross administers, the Ozempic 1.34 mg/mL pens and the Apotex and Dr. Reddy's generic semaglutide pens are step therapy / special authorization drugs; three more semaglutide pens are under review. Mounjaro, Zepbound and Wegovy are not on the Alberta Drug Benefit List, and a drug that isn't listed "generally will not be provided as a benefit": you pay the full price. AHCIP doesn't pay for prescriptions filled outside a hospital. Cash prices differ by pharmacy.
Sources: Alberta interactive Drug Benefit List (iDBL): search for semaglutide (page dated October 24, 2026) (read October 24, 2026); Alberta iDBL: searches for tirzepatide, Mounjaro, Zepbound and Wegovy (read October 24, 2026); Alberta Drug Benefit List: frequently asked questions (read October 24, 2026); alberta.ca: Health care services covered in Alberta (AHCIP) (read October 24, 2026)
What you pay without coverage in Alberta
When a plan doesn't pay, "the patient pays the complete cost of the medication", and that cost depends on the pharmacy. These are the lowest prices we list in Alberta, with the pharmacy and the date the price was last updated.
Source: Alberta Drug Benefit List: frequently asked questions (read October 24, 2026)
| Drug | Public plan status | Lowest price we list in Alberta |
|---|---|---|
| Ozempic | Step therapy / special authorization | $242.47 at Costco Pharmacy1mg/0.5mL pen, 1 pen · Updated October 20265 pharmacies listed |
| Generic semaglutide (Apo-Semaglutide) | Step therapy / special authorization | $91 at Costco Pharmacy2mg/3mL pen, 1 pen · Updated October 20263 pharmacies listed |
| Mounjaro | Not on the list: generally not a benefit | $328.68 at Walmart Pharmacy5mg/0.6mL pen, 1 pen · Updated October 20264 pharmacies listed |
| Wegovy | Not on the list: generally not a benefit | $417 at Walmart Pharmacy0.25mg pen, 1 pen · Updated October 20264 pharmacies listed |
| Zepbound | Not on the list: generally not a benefit | $312 at Costco Pharmacy5mg/0.6mL pen, 1 pen · Updated October 20264 pharmacies listed |
Status from the plan's own lists (sources under each section below). Prices are the lowest active price we list per drug in Alberta, before any plan or savings card; a pharmacy may add a dispensing fee.
How Alberta's government drug plans decide what they pay
Alberta Blue Cross administers the prescription drug programs the Government of Alberta sponsors, and maintains and publishes the Alberta Drug Benefit List (ADBL). The list applies to people on those programs: Non-Group Coverage, Coverage for Seniors, Palliative Coverage, AISH, Income Support, the Alberta Disability Assistance Program, the Alberta Adult Health Benefit, the Alberta Child Health Benefit and the children's programs.
Source: Alberta Drug Benefit List: frequently asked questions (read October 24, 2026)
Non-Group Coverage "is available to all Alberta residents under 65 years of age and their dependants," for a monthly premium. Coverage for Seniors is premium-free for people 65 and older; it covers drugs on the ADBL with a 30% co-payment, up to a maximum per prescription. Since October 1, 2026, if you have private or other coverage, that plan pays first, and government-sponsored coverage "acts as the safety net".
Sources: alberta.ca: Non-Group Coverage (read October 24, 2026); alberta.ca: Coverage for Seniors (read October 24, 2026)
For a special authorization drug, your physician completes the drug's Special Authorization Request form and faxes or mails it to Alberta Blue Cross. You can check the request's status on the Alberta Blue Cross member site; if it is declined, Alberta Blue Cross sends a letter to you and to your physician. A drug that isn't on the list "generally will not be provided as a benefit", and "the patient pays the complete cost of the medication".
Source: Alberta Drug Benefit List: frequently asked questions (read October 24, 2026)
AHCIP, Alberta's health care insurance plan, covers medically necessary physician services. Its list of what isn't covered includes "prescription drugs provided in non-hospital settings".
Source: alberta.ca: Health care services covered in Alberta (AHCIP) (read October 24, 2026)
Ozempic and generic semaglutide in Alberta
Status: Step therapy / special authorization
On the iDBL, the Ozempic 1.34 mg/mL pens (DINs 02471469 and 02471477) and the generic semaglutide pens from Apotex (Apo-Semaglutide) and Dr. Reddy's have the coverage status step therapy / special authorization. The Ozempic 0.68 mg/mL pen (DIN 02540258) is under review, and so are two more generic semaglutide pens.
Source: Alberta interactive Drug Benefit List (iDBL): search for semaglutide (page dated October 24, 2026) (read October 24, 2026)
Step therapy means the plan checks your claims history first, and the pharmacy claim can go through when the list's step-therapy conditions are met. Otherwise your prescriber sends a special authorization request on form ABC 60012, and "special authorization may be granted for 24 months". If a step-therapy claim is rejected, a pharmacist can resubmit it with an intervention code and must record why. The iDBL publishes the criteria with each product.
Sources: Alberta Drug Benefit List, effective April 1, 2026 (read October 2, 2026); Alberta iDBL: Ozempic 1.34 mg/mL, DIN 02471469, product details (read October 24, 2026)
The Ozempic 1.34 mg/mL pens and the generic pens are interchangeable on the list. For interchangeable products the program may pay up to the Least Cost Alternative price, and the July 1, 2026 update applied that pricing to these pens from August 1, 2026: the plan pays brand Ozempic only up to the generic price.
Sources: Alberta iDBL: Ozempic 1.34 mg/mL, DIN 02471469, product details (read October 24, 2026); Alberta Drug Benefit List: frequently asked questions (read October 24, 2026); ADBL update effective July 1, 2026 (generic semaglutide added; Least Cost Alternative pricing from August 1, 2026) (read October 3, 2026)
Ozempic prices in Alberta · Generic semaglutide (Apo-Semaglutide) prices in Alberta
Mounjaro in Alberta
Status: Not on the list: generally not a benefit
The iDBL finds no product for tirzepatide or Mounjaro. Alberta Blue Cross says a drug that isn't listed anywhere in the ADBL "generally will not be provided as a benefit" under the government-sponsored programs, and "the patient pays the complete cost of the medication".
Sources: Alberta iDBL: searches for tirzepatide, Mounjaro, Zepbound and Wegovy (read October 24, 2026); Alberta Drug Benefit List: frequently asked questions (read October 24, 2026)
There is no special authorization for Mounjaro on the government plans: special authorization applies to products the ADBL lists that way, and the list has no tirzepatide product.
Sources: Alberta iDBL: searches for tirzepatide, Mounjaro, Zepbound and Wegovy (read October 24, 2026); Alberta Drug Benefit List: frequently asked questions (read October 24, 2026)
Wegovy in Alberta
Status: Not on the list: generally not a benefit
The iDBL finds no Wegovy product; its semaglutide search lists Ozempic, Rybelsus and generic semaglutide only. A drug that isn't on the list "generally will not be provided as a benefit".
Sources: Alberta iDBL: searches for tirzepatide, Mounjaro, Zepbound and Wegovy (read October 24, 2026); Alberta interactive Drug Benefit List (iDBL): search for semaglutide (page dated October 24, 2026) (read October 24, 2026); Alberta Drug Benefit List: frequently asked questions (read October 24, 2026)
Zepbound in Alberta
Status: Not on the list: generally not a benefit
Zepbound is tirzepatide too, and the iDBL finds no Zepbound or tirzepatide product. A drug that isn't on the list "generally will not be provided as a benefit".
Sources: Alberta iDBL: searches for tirzepatide, Mounjaro, Zepbound and Wegovy (read October 24, 2026); Alberta Drug Benefit List: frequently asked questions (read October 24, 2026)
Private and workplace plans
The ADBL applies to the government-sponsored programs. If your coverage comes from an employer or another private plan, that plan's own rules decide what it pays, and since October 1, 2026 it pays before the government plan. Manulife, Sun Life and Canada Life put Ozempic on their prior authorization lists: your prescriber sends the insurer's form, and the insurer pays only when its criteria are met. Wegovy is covered only on plans that include it. Ask your insurer about Mounjaro and Zepbound, or check with the Coverage Checker.
Sources: Alberta Drug Benefit List: frequently asked questions (read October 24, 2026); alberta.ca: Non-Group Coverage (read October 24, 2026); Manulife: Ozempic placed on the prior authorization list (April 5, 2023); coverage subject to plan design (read October 2, 2026); Sun Life: Ozempic prior authorization form 4233-PA-OZE-E (reimbursement only if all listed criteria are met) (read October 2, 2026); Sun Life: optional drug category, prior authorization from October 15, 2024 (August 13, 2024) (read October 2, 2026); Canada Life: Ozempic and Rybelsus added to the prior authorization drug list (November 27, 2023) (read October 2, 2026); Canada Life: Wegovy prior authorization form M6453 ("not covered under all benefit plans") (read October 2, 2026)
Getting a prescription online in Alberta
Each of these drugs needs a prescription: the CMA says "You can only get GLP-1 drugs with a prescription from a licensed health care provider." If you don't have a prescriber, our Alberta guides list the online providers that serve Alberta, what they charge and where to fill the prescription.
Source: CMA: Can you get GLP-1 drugs in Canada? (read October 24, 2026)
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Frequently asked questions
Does Alberta Blue Cross cover Ozempic?
For some pens only, on Alberta's government-sponsored programs such as Non-Group Coverage and Coverage for Seniors. When we read the iDBL on October 24, 2026, the Ozempic 1.34 mg/mL pens (DINs 02471469 and 02471477) and the generic semaglutide pens from Apotex (Apo-Semaglutide) and Dr. Reddy's were listed as step therapy / special authorization, under criteria the iDBL publishes with each product. The Ozempic 0.68 mg/mL pen (DIN 02540258) and two more generic semaglutide pens were listed as under review. An employer or other private plan sets its own rules and, since October 1, 2026, pays first.
Sources: Alberta interactive Drug Benefit List (iDBL): search for semaglutide (page dated October 24, 2026) (read October 24, 2026); Alberta iDBL: Ozempic 1.34 mg/mL, DIN 02471469, product details (read October 24, 2026); Alberta Drug Benefit List: frequently asked questions (read October 24, 2026); alberta.ca: Non-Group Coverage (read October 24, 2026)
Is Ozempic covered by Alberta Health Care (AHCIP)?
No. AHCIP covers medically necessary physician services, and its list of what isn't covered includes "prescription drugs provided in non-hospital settings". Drug coverage comes from the government-sponsored drug programs Alberta Blue Cross administers, or from a private plan.
Sources: alberta.ca: Health care services covered in Alberta (AHCIP) (read October 24, 2026); Alberta Drug Benefit List: frequently asked questions (read October 24, 2026)
How much is Ozempic in Alberta without insurance?
The lowest Ozempic price we list in Alberta is $242.47 at Costco Pharmacy (1mg/0.5mL pen, 1 pen, updated October 2026). The lowest generic semaglutide (Apo-Semaglutide) price we list in Alberta is $91 at Costco Pharmacy (2mg/3mL pen, 1 pen, updated October 2026). A pharmacy may add a dispensing fee. Every pharmacy's price is on Ozempic prices in Alberta.
How much is Mounjaro in Alberta without coverage?
The lowest Mounjaro price we list in Alberta is $328.68 at Walmart Pharmacy (5mg/0.6mL pen, 1 pen, updated October 2026). The lowest Zepbound price we list in Alberta is $312 at Costco Pharmacy (5mg/0.6mL pen, 1 pen, updated October 2026). A pharmacy may add a dispensing fee. Every pharmacy's price is on Mounjaro prices in Alberta.
Does Alberta Blue Cross cover Mounjaro?
Not on the government plans. The iDBL has no tirzepatide product, and a drug that isn't on the list "generally will not be provided as a benefit", so the patient pays the complete cost.
Sources: Alberta iDBL: searches for tirzepatide, Mounjaro, Zepbound and Wegovy (read October 24, 2026); Alberta Drug Benefit List: frequently asked questions (read October 24, 2026)
Can I get special authorization for Mounjaro in Alberta?
Not on the government plans. Special authorization applies to products the Drug Benefit List lists that way, and it has no tirzepatide (Mounjaro or Zepbound) product. A private plan may have its own prior authorization process; ask your insurer.
Sources: Alberta iDBL: searches for tirzepatide, Mounjaro, Zepbound and Wegovy (read October 24, 2026); Alberta Drug Benefit List: frequently asked questions (read October 24, 2026); Manulife: Ozempic placed on the prior authorization list (April 5, 2023); coverage subject to plan design (read October 2, 2026); Sun Life: Ozempic prior authorization form 4233-PA-OZE-E (reimbursement only if all listed criteria are met) (read October 2, 2026); Sun Life: optional drug category, prior authorization from October 15, 2024 (August 13, 2024) (read October 2, 2026); Canada Life: Ozempic and Rybelsus added to the prior authorization drug list (November 27, 2023) (read October 2, 2026); Canada Life: Wegovy prior authorization form M6453 ("not covered under all benefit plans") (read October 2, 2026)
How long does special authorization last for Ozempic in Alberta?
The iDBL says "special authorization may be granted for 24 months". Requests go on form ABC 60012, and you can check a request's status on the Alberta Blue Cross member site.
Sources: Alberta iDBL: Ozempic 1.34 mg/mL, DIN 02471469, product details (read October 24, 2026); Alberta Drug Benefit List: frequently asked questions (read October 24, 2026)
Do Alberta seniors pay for Ozempic?
Coverage for Seniors is premium-free and covers drugs on the Alberta Drug Benefit List with a 30% co-payment, up to a maximum per prescription. Ozempic still goes through step therapy or special authorization first.
Sources: alberta.ca: Coverage for Seniors (read October 24, 2026); Alberta iDBL: Ozempic 1.34 mg/mL, DIN 02471469, product details (read October 24, 2026)
Does Alberta Blue Cross cover Wegovy or Zepbound?
Not on the government plans: the iDBL has no Wegovy or Zepbound product. A private plan may cover Wegovy if your plan includes it.
Sources: Alberta iDBL: searches for tirzepatide, Mounjaro, Zepbound and Wegovy (read October 24, 2026); Alberta Drug Benefit List: frequently asked questions (read October 24, 2026); Sun Life: optional drug category, prior authorization from October 15, 2024 (August 13, 2024) (read October 2, 2026); Canada Life: Wegovy prior authorization form M6453 ("not covered under all benefit plans") (read October 2, 2026)
Sources
- Alberta interactive Drug Benefit List (iDBL): search for semaglutide (page dated October 24, 2026) (read October 24, 2026): Step therapy / special authorization: Ozempic 1.34 mg/mL pens (DINs 02471469 and 02471477), Apo-Semaglutide (02568012 and 02568020) and Dr. Reddy's semaglutide (02567806 and 02567814). Under review: the Ozempic 0.68 mg/mL pen (02540258) and two more generic semaglutide pens (02570912 and 02570920). Not a benefit: Rybelsus. No Wegovy product.
- Alberta iDBL: searches for tirzepatide, Mounjaro, Zepbound and Wegovy (read October 24, 2026): Each search returns "Sorry, there are no products matching the criteria entered."
- Alberta Drug Benefit List: frequently asked questions (read October 24, 2026): Who the ADBL applies to; Alberta Blue Cross administers the government-sponsored drug programs and publishes the ADBL; a drug not listed "generally will not be provided as a benefit" and "the patient pays the complete cost of the medication"; how a special authorization request is sent and tracked; the Least Cost Alternative price for interchangeable products.
- alberta.ca: Health care services covered in Alberta (AHCIP) (read October 24, 2026): AHCIP covers medically necessary physician services; the services not covered include "prescription drugs provided in non-hospital settings".
- alberta.ca: Non-Group Coverage (read October 24, 2026): "Non-Group Coverage is available to all Alberta residents under 65 years of age and their dependants"; a monthly premium; from October 1, 2026 private or other coverage pays first and government-sponsored coverage "acts as the safety net".
- alberta.ca: Coverage for Seniors (read October 24, 2026): Premium-free coverage for people 65 and older; drugs on the Alberta Drug Benefit List are covered with a 30% co-payment up to a maximum per prescription.
- Alberta Drug Benefit List, effective April 1, 2026 (read October 2, 2026): Page 65: step therapy and the claims-history check. Read for the T15 coverage notes.
- Alberta iDBL: Ozempic 1.34 mg/mL, DIN 02471469, product details (read October 24, 2026): Open DETAILS on DIN 02471469. Coverage status step therapy / special authorization; applies to clients of Non-Group Coverage, Coverage for Seniors, Palliative Coverage, AISH, Income Support and the other government programs; request form ABC 60012; "Special authorization may be granted for 24 months"; a pharmacist can resubmit a rejected step-therapy claim with an intervention code and must record why.
- ADBL update effective July 1, 2026 (generic semaglutide added; Least Cost Alternative pricing from August 1, 2026) (read October 3, 2026): Page 5: semaglutide 1.34 mg/mL interchangeable groupings with LCA pricing from August 1, 2026. Read for the T15 coverage notes.
- Manulife: Ozempic placed on the prior authorization list (April 5, 2023); coverage subject to plan design (read October 2, 2026): Live page blocks automated access; read via the Wayback snapshot of 2026-06-19.
- Sun Life: Ozempic prior authorization form 4233-PA-OZE-E (reimbursement only if all listed criteria are met) (read October 2, 2026)
- Sun Life: optional drug category, prior authorization from October 15, 2024 (August 13, 2024) (read October 2, 2026): Read via the Wayback snapshot of 2026-06-09.
- Canada Life: Ozempic and Rybelsus added to the prior authorization drug list (November 27, 2023) (read October 2, 2026)
- Canada Life: Wegovy prior authorization form M6453 ("not covered under all benefit plans") (read October 2, 2026)
- CMA: Can you get GLP-1 drugs in Canada? (read October 24, 2026): "You can only get GLP-1 drugs with a prescription from a licensed health care provider."
Health Canada compliance: GLP1Prices.ca displays drug names, prices, and quantities only. We do not make therapeutic claims. This website does not provide medical advice. Consult your healthcare provider about medication options.
Related
- BC PharmaCare coverage · What BC PharmaCare pays for the same drugs.
- Generic Ozempic cost in Alberta · Apo-Semaglutide prices at Alberta pharmacies.
- Coverage Checker · Check what your own plan covers.
Update log
- New page: what Alberta's government drug plans pay for Ozempic, generic semaglutide, Mounjaro, Wegovy and Zepbound, from the Alberta Drug Benefit List, with cash prices and prescription options.