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Key takeaways
Atorvastatin, a generic drug prescribed for high cholesterol and heart disease risk reduction, can be expensive without insurance, costing up to $5,160 annually for brand-name Lipitor or $1,500 for the generic.
Most health insurance plans cover atorvastatin, but for those without coverage, alternatives include using SingleCare coupons, enrolling in Medicaid, or finding cheaper generic statins.
Prices for atorvastatin vary significantly between pharmacies, so shopping around, using mail-order pharmacies, or switching to a different statin can help reduce costs.
Community health clinics and patient assistance programs offer additional options for obtaining atorvastatin or its alternatives at reduced prices for those without insurance.
Is atorvastatin covered by insurance? | How much does atorvastatin cost without insurance? | How to get atorvastatin without insurance?
Atorvastatin is a generic prescription drug often prescribed as a first-line treatment for high cholesterol, high triglycerides (fats), or both. Atorvastatin is also FDA approved to reduce the risk of heart attack and other heart-related problems when risk factors for heart disease are present. In a similar vein, it is also used to slow down the progress of atherosclerosis. Finally, atorvastatin treats two rare hereditary conditions that produce high cholesterol and high-fat levels: homozygous familial hypercholesterolemia and dysbetalipoproteinemia.
Atorvastatin tablets are taken once per day, but doses may vary depending on the condition being treated and its severity. Although atorvastatin can be purchased as brand-name Lipitor, most people will take its generic form. Without insurance, the cash price for generic atorvastatin can be high, but there are ways people can save on the cost.
RELATED: Atorvastatin side effects | Atorvastatin coupon | Lovastatin vs. atorvastatin
Is atorvastatin covered by insurance?
Atorvastatin is a common, first-line treatment that is covered by most health insurance plans, Medicare drug plans, and Medicaid.
How much does atorvastatin cost without insurance?
Without insurance, the average monthly cost of a brand-name Lipitor prescription is around $430 for 30, 10 mg tablets. That price will vary depending on the dose, but the price difference depends on the pharmacy. Statin therapy is long-term, if not lifelong, so it could cost about $5,160 or more per year at the full cash price. Generic atorvastatin still costs $128 per 30, 40 mg tablets or $1,500 per year without insurance.
People with insurance can expect to pay much less for their atorvastatin prescription. Copay costs vary between plans, but some may cover it completely.
The price of atorvastatin tends to be higher than other statins. The prescribing healthcare provider may be able to suggest alternative generic statins. These include simvastatin, lovastatin, pravastatin, fluvastatin, and rosuvastatin. Some are much less expensive than atorvastatin, but the most expensive ones, rosuvastatin, and fluvastatin are about the same price as atorvastatin. If statins are unable to be taken, the other standard treatment for high cholesterol and high fats is bile acid sequestrants. Their retail prices are a bit lower or about the same as atorvastatin.
Compare atorvastatin prices to related drugs |
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|---|---|---|---|
| Drug name | Price without insurance | SingleCare price | Savings options |
| Lipitor (atorvastatin) | $430 per 30, 10 mg tablets of brand-name Lipitor | $15 per 30, 40 mg tablets of generic atorvastatin | See updated prices |
| Zocor (simvastatin) | $323 per 30, 20 mg tablets of brand-name Zocor | $5 per 30, 20 mg tablets of generic simvastatin | See updated prices |
| Mevacor (lovastatin) | $129 per 90, 20 mg tablets of generic lovastatin | $8 per 90, 20 mg tablets of generic lovastatin | See updated prices |
| Pravachol | $131 per 30, 40 mg tablets of generic pravastatin | $3 for 30, 40 mg tablets of generic pravastatin | See updated prices |
| Lescol XL (fluvastatin) | $417 per 30, 80 mg extended-release tablets of brand-name Lescol XL | $36 per 30, 80 mg tablets of generic fluvastatin ER | See updated prices |
| Crestor (rosuvastatin) | $345 per 30, 10 mg tablets of brand-name Crestor | $8 per 30, 10 mg tablets of generic rosuvastatin | See updated prices |
Prescription drug prices often change. These are the most accurate medication prices at the time of publishing. The listed price without insurance references the price of brand-name drugs. The listed SingleCare price references the price of generic drugs if available. Click the link under “Savings options” to see updated drug prices.
How to get atorvastatin without insurance?
Managing drug costs without health insurance coverage can be hard even for generic drugs like atorvastatin. Brand-name drugs may have manufacturer coupons, savings programs, or patient assistance programs that can help defray the cost, but generics don’t come with special offers. Still, there are many options to help reduce the cost of atorvastatin treatment, sometimes lowering the cost down to only a few dollars per month.
1. Use a SingleCare discount coupon
People without insurance can fill an atorvastatin prescription at about the same price as a health insurance deductible. With a SingleCare savings card, the lowest price for a 30-day supply of atorvastatin is $15. Find the right price or most convenient local pharmacy on SingleCare’s atorvastatin discount coupon page. By clicking on “Get free coupon,” a SingleCare discount card can be printed, emailed, or sent to a smartphone for immediate discounts on prescription medications.
2. Enroll in Medicaid
For people who qualify, Medicaid health insurance plans are among the most dependable ways to get generic prescription medications at little or no cost. Nearly all Medicaid plans will cover an atorvastatin prescription. There are income and enrollment requirements, however, so check with your state’s Medicaid website for additional information.
3. Shop pharmacies for the best price
Many people don’t know that pharmacies charge different prices for the same medicine, even if it’s a generic version. The difference may not be that great with generic medications like atorvastatin, but spending extra money on a prescription adds up over time. If it’s too much trouble to price shop, purchase an atorvastatin prescription at either a discount pharmacy or one associated with a big-box discount retailer.
4. Use an online mail-order pharmacy
The lowest discount prices on prescription medications are usually found at mail-order or online pharmacies. Medicines, however, will need to be shipped. There’s also a risk that an online pharmacy is not trustworthy, so do your research first.
5. Switch to a different statin
There are cheaper statins that are similar to atorvastatin. Ask the prescribing healthcare professional for medical advice about these alternatives. Some may not be appropriate for your individual medical condition, but switching to a different statin could save significant amounts of money.
6. Find a community health clinic
Many areas have community health clinics and other resources that can provide generic medications like atorvastatin at very low prices. There may be eligibility requirements. You can search online or go to your county or city’s health department to find low-cost clinics.