Patient assistance program
Also called: PAP
Clinical reviewer: Elena Gizzi, MSN, RN · Last checked September 16, 2026
What is a patient assistance program?
Patient assistance program is a program, usually run by a drug's manufacturer, that provides medicine at no cost to patients who meet its eligibility rules, typically insurance status and income. Novo Nordisk's PAP, for example, covers patients who have Medicare or no insurance and fall under an income limit, but Wegovy is not on its 2026 product list.
What is a patient assistance program?
A patient assistance program, or PAP, is a manufacturer-run program that gives medicine at no cost to people who meet its eligibility rules [1]. Novo Nordisk describes its PAP as providing medicine at no cost to those who qualify [1], with eligibility generally tied to insurance status and household income rather than to which specific drug is prescribed.
Who qualifies for Novo Nordisk's PAP, and which drugs are included?
To qualify for Novo Nordisk's PAP, a patient must have Medicare or no insurance at all, since private or commercial insurance makes someone ineligible, and must not be enrolled in Medicaid, Medicare's Low-Income Subsidy, or VA benefits [1]. Household income must be at or below 400% of the federal poverty level, or 200% for uninsured patients applying for Ozempic [1]. The product list includes Ozempic injection pens along with several insulins, but Wegovy is not on it [2], and Novo Nordisk says some medicines are no longer part of the program for 2026 [1].
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This entry is for education and is not medical advice. Talk with a licensed clinician about your own situation before starting, stopping, or changing any treatment.
