Is weight loss medication covered by insurance? How it works in 2026

This weight loss medication is in the basic package

In 2026, basic health insurance covers two medicines for obesity: liraglutide (Saxenda) and naltrexone-bupropion (Mysimba). Both are only covered if losing weight with a lifestyle programme did not work well enough and you meet strict medical criteria. An obesity medicine is only added to basic health insurance after a positive recommendation from the Zorginstituut (the Dutch National Health Care Institute), which weighs effectiveness against costs. Read more about whether Saxenda is covered by insurance.

Things are moving for Wegovy and Mounjaro, however. The Zorginstituut is assessing both medicines for two groups: people with a BMI of 30 or more with a condition caused by overweight, and people with a BMI of 35 or more. Until that decision has been made, you pay for these medicines in full yourself when they are used for weight loss. You can read how things stand for each medicine in our blog on whether Mounjaro is covered by insurance.

The conditions are also strict. For Saxenda, for example, you must not have type 2 diabetes, and treatment stops if you have not lost 5 percent of your weight after 3 months. Your insurer and pharmacy check this when the prescription is submitted.

Please note: some insurers only cover a preferred brand with the same active substance. And because the BMI threshold largely determines what is possible, a logical first step is to calculate your BMI.

The GLI condition: a lifestyle programme first

No GLI, no reimbursement: your health insurer only covers weight loss medication after you have taken part in a combined lifestyle intervention (gecombineerde leefstijlinterventie, GLI) for at least a year. A GLI is a two-year programme in which you work on diet, exercise and behaviour with professional support. Your GP (huisarts) refers you to a recognised programme near you.

The RIVM (the Dutch National Institute for Public Health and the Environment) currently recognises nine of these programmes; only recognised programmes are covered. During the programme you work on lasting habits, individually or in a group, with support from a lifestyle coach among others.

According to the RIVM, the GLI has been fully covered since 2019 by basic health insurance, without it counting towards your deductible (eigen risico). This form of weight loss support from the basic package is therefore the mandatory first step towards reimbursed medication.

Only if the GLI does not deliver enough after a year and you fall within the BMI criteria does reimbursed medication come into view. For many people that feels like a long road, especially when earlier attempts have already failed. You can read why this happens in our article on why you are not losing weight.

Which medicines does the GP prescribe for weight loss?

For overweight, a GP can only prescribe Saxenda or Mysimba, and only if you meet the reimbursement conditions above. A GP only prescribes Ozempic for type 2 diabetes, not for weight loss. More about Saxenda vs Mysimba.

Would you like to prepare well for that conversation with your GP? Bring your BMI and an overview of your previous attempts to lose weight. That allows the GP to check straight away whether you fall within the reimbursement rules.

In practice, many GPs are also reluctant to prescribe weight loss medication, partly because of the intensive support that comes with it. If you fall outside the conditions, or you get no further with your GP, a specialised doctor can prescribe medication that you pay for yourself. You can read how those two routes differ in our blog on whether your GP can prescribe weight loss injections.

Stuck at your GP? At Qlinic, your own BIG-registered doctor (the BIG register is the Dutch register of healthcare professionals) personally assesses whether medical weight loss is right for you. Take the eligibility check →

What does weight loss medication cost without reimbursement?

Without reimbursement, you pay between €250 and €850 per month for a complete medical weight loss programme, depending on the medicine. At Qlinic these are fixed programme prices including prescription, home delivery and supervision by the doctor, plus a one-off supervision fee of €400 at the start.

You can find an up-to-date overview of all rates on our page about the cost of medical weight loss. If you are comparing providers, look beyond the monthly price alone: also consider what is included, such as personal contact with a doctor, fixed check-ups and quick help with side effects.

What you should never do: order weight loss medication online without a prescription. The IGJ and CBG warn (the Dutch Health and Youth Care Inspectorate and the Medicines Evaluation Board) about the illegal online supply: it is unknown whether these products are genuine and safe, and the dose can be too high or too low, or even missing. In 2024 the inspectorate received around 200 reports about this, twice as many as the year before. So only use weight loss medication on a doctor's prescription, supplied by a registered pharmacy.

Deductible and personal contribution: what you still pay

If your weight loss medication is covered, you first pay your compulsory deductible (verplicht eigen risico). In 2026 this is €385 per calendar year, according to the Rijksoverheid (the Dutch government). Reimbursed medicines simply count towards it.

An example: if you receive reimbursed medication and have had no other healthcare costs this year, you pay the first €385 yourself. Above that, your insurer covers the costs, as long as you continue to meet the conditions.

There are two exceptions that work in your favour. The GLI programme does not count towards your deductible, and neither does your GP consultation. Under current plans, the compulsory deductible will fall to €165 in 2027. Also bear in mind that a statutory personal contribution (eigen bijdrage) may apply to some medicines; your pharmacy will calculate this for you exactly.

Not covered? This is how medical weight loss works at Qlinic

If you fall outside the conditions for reimbursement of medical weight loss, you can go to a specialised clinic at your own expense. At Qlinic you follow that programme under the supervision of one BIG-registered doctor of your own, entirely online. It is also there for situations that insurers do not recognise, such as stubborn kilos during menopause.

This is how medical weight loss with injections works with us:

1. Consultation and intake. Our doctor personally assesses whether medication is medically right for you and which medicine is suitable.
2. Prescription and home delivery. Your medication is delivered to your home via a registered pharmacy.
3. Losing weight with support. Every 4 weeks you have a follow-up with the same doctor.

The programme mainly takes away the feeling of hunger; you usually notice the first effect after about 4 weeks. You always speak to the same doctor, not a changing team. We have now helped around 50 clients, who give us an average of 5.0 on Google from more than 20 reviews.

Would you like to know whether this could work for you too? Our doctor looks at your situation personally, with no obligations. Take the eligibility check →

Frequently asked questions about weight loss medication and insurance

How can I get Ozempic covered by insurance?

Ozempic is only covered for type 2 diabetes, on your doctor's prescription. If you use it to lose weight without diabetes, you pay for it yourself. That can be done safely and legally through a doctor who prescribes it within a supervised programme.

Which weight loss medication is covered in 2026?

In 2026, only Saxenda (liraglutide) and Mysimba are covered, under conditions: at least a year of GLI participation and a BMI of 35 or more with a related condition, or above 40. Wegovy and Mounjaro are not yet covered for weight loss. Read more about whether Wegovy is covered by insurance.

What does weight loss medication cost?

Without reimbursement, a complete medical weight loss programme costs between €250 and €850 per month, depending on the medicine, plus at Qlinic a one-off supervision fee of €400. Buying medication separately without a prescription is unsafe; that supply is illegal.

Will Wegovy or Mounjaro be covered soon?

That is not yet certain. The Zorginstituut is assessing both medicines for people with a BMI of 30 or more with a condition caused by overweight, and for people with a BMI of 35 or more. Until a decision has been made, you pay for them yourself when used for weight loss. Mounjaro is already covered under conditions for type 2 diabetes.

Does reimbursed weight loss medication count towards the deductible?

Yes. Reimbursed medicines fall under your compulsory deductible (eigen risico) of €385 in 2026. The GLI is an exception: it is fully covered without drawing on your deductible.

Is weight loss support covered by the basic package?

Yes, the combined lifestyle intervention (GLI) is fully covered by basic health insurance, after a referral from your GP. Medical supervision at a specialised weight loss clinic does not fall under this; you pay for that yourself.