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Switching to Lilly Direct for Zepbound? Gifthealth guidance!

Jennifer Hardy
3 days ago
5 min read

My first attempt to get Zepbound through LillyDirect at the discounted price felt like a triangulated game of "Who's On First?" I faced a repeated wall of text that said "prescription denied" or "prescription rejected." It took me four tries between the Gifthealth pharmacy service and my provider to get it right.

Searching subreddits gave me assurance I wasn't the only one, but rarely gave me the right answer to get the tirzepatide vials in the mail. It's just one of the reasons I was determined to start GLP-1 Newsroom—so I could put my investigative skills to use and help others.

Assuming you have a prescription for Zepbound and you're okay with vials vs. the auto injector pen, here's how to make the request sail through in seconds.

avoid getting denied for zepbound through lilly direct

Step-by-Step Zepbound Prescription Process Through Gifthealth

When I saw that LillyDirect dropped prices on the vials, I immediately knew it was time to switch. That became especially true when an FDA ruling changed how most compounding pharmacies could produce the medication now that the "shortage is over." Plus, since compounded versions of drugs aren't FDA-approved, I was glad to make the pivot.

Gifthealth is a third party provider Lilly Direct uses to process and distribute the Zepbound prescriptions for vials only. There are a few nuances of getting a LillyDirect Zepbound prescription via vials through Gifthealth that you should share with your provider.

Step 1: LillyDirect Zepbound Website

Be sure you agree to the terms and conditions on the website before you start the process. From there, copy and paste the pharmacy details to share with your provider.

"LillyDirect Self Pay Pharmacy Solutions NPI: 1689411712 NCPDP: 3692539"

Just for educational purposes, the NPA is a unique identifier assigned to pharmacies to track and process transactions.

NCPDP (National Council for Prescription Drug Programs) is a unique number assigned to pharmacies for processing electronic claims, billing insurance, and identifying pharmacies in national databases.

Unlike NPIs, which cover all healthcare providers, NCPDP numbers are pharmacy-specific and critical for electronic prescribing.

Step 2: Contact Your Prescribing Doctor

My Zepbound journey started the way many of you did, with a doctor prescribing the medication through their electronic process. I was impressed at how quickly I got the text message saying the script was in. I was shocked at how quickly it was denied and held up.

Even after doing a chat with Gifthealth, and getting updated information, I got rejected again.

text message from gifthealth saying the script was rejected - sample of what people might get if they don't use the right wording on the script

I do want to note that the Gifthealth chat is easy to use, helpful (a real person), and fast. I never had to wait more than three minutes for a response. You can also call 1 (833) 614-4438 or e-mail care@gifthealth.com, though I can't speak for how responsive those forms of communication are.

Step 3: The Information You Can Only Get Via Gifthealth

It took me three long chats with Gifthealth to finally get the right information. That's what I want to share with you today. This is accurate as of April 2025.

First, be sure your provider notes that you need vials, not auto-injectors. I know my provider knew that, but somehow, it didn't translate to the Gifthealth end. Have them add a note of "Dispense Vials."

Second, the Gifthealth team offers monthly supplies of vials, which means a note of "Four Vials" should be added to the prescription for your Zepbound. If you want the autoinjectors, that's through a different third-party pharmacy.

Then, there's a specific code to use for which dosage you are on. Here's the information I got directly from Gifthealth chat on March 11, 2025.

"Please have your provider send an electronic prescription for the Zepbound vial to LillyDirect Self Pay Pharmacy Solutions or LillyDirect cash pay for the Zepbound vial. Use the NDC codes provided below and send it to NPA: 1689411712 and NCPDP: 3692539. The address is 4343 Equity Drive, Suite A, Columbus, Ohio, 43228.

The National Drug Code (NDC) is as follows:

2.5mg: 00002-0152-04

5mg: 00002-0243-04

7.5mg: 00002-1214-04

10pm: 00002-1340-04"

I sent that information (copied and pasted) to my provider, with a note to mention "Dispense Vials" and "Four Vials."

Within an hour, I had a text from Gifthealth ("It's time for checkout!") with a link to pay for the medication. Shipping was free, and it came with all the tools needed to do safely do the injections (alcohol swabs, needs, etc.). Not even 12 hours later, a tracking code let me know that Zepbound was on the way from Gifthealth.

Sample Message for Your Doctor to Avoid Rejection for Zepbound Vials Prescription

"I would like to go through LillyDirect to get vials of Zepbound. Since there have been some hiccups with processing with their third-party provider, Gifthealth, I wanted to make it clear what they need from you.

Please note "Dispense Vials" on the prescription.
Make sure to note that I need four vials, as one month of Zepbound vials includes four vials.
Please use the NDC Code related to the dosage.
- 2.5mg: 00002-0152-04
- 5mg: 00002-0243-04
- 7.5mg: 00002-1214-04
- 10pm: 00002-1340-04"
Send the script to LillyDirect Self-Pay Pharmacy Solutions or Lilly direct cash pay for the Zepbound vial.
Use the code NPA: 1689411712 and NCPDP: 3692539.
The address is 4343 Equity Drive, Suite A, Columbus, Ohio, 43228."

Text Message from Gifthealth Follow

I also want to add that Gifthealth does a great job of communicating via text message, and doesn't send a lot of spam. Do NOT block this number from reaching you as it's the main path to pay for your medication and track it in the mail.

I've paid three times now, and it's never taken more than 48 hours for the box to be delivered. Keep an eye out for it since the medication needs to be refrigerated. Again, I've never had an issue with this as the ice packs in the container were still frozen solid upon arrival.

I store my Zepbound in the butter tray and bought a cute pouch to keep the supplies ready for the weekly shot.

A Few Other Things to Know When Ordering Zepbound through LillyDirect

When you get the "It's time for checkout!" text, the link provided is only valid for 30 minutes. No worries if you can't drop everything you are doing and order. You can request another link through the initial one.

This is only for Zepbound users who pay cash. The discounted price of $499 for the 5, 7.5, or 10mg vials ($349 for the 2.5mg) is good as long as you keep ordering through the Zepbound Self Pay Journey Program and not letting more than 45 days go between the delivery of your last medication and the purchase of the new one.

You'll generally get a text message 21 days after your last delivery to start this process over again. Be sure to talk with your provider if you plan to dose up, otherwise you might automatically get sent the previous dose.

The medication comes in a medium-sized box with a ThermoSafe cooler and ice packs inside. I keep the Expanded Polystyrene (EPS) coolers for dog park trips and camping excursions, but if you want to recycle them, ThermoSafe offers a map of the nearest location.