Lipitor (atorvastatin) is a brand-name oral tablet that’s prescribed for conditions including high cholesterol and reducing the risk of stroke and heart attack in adults and some children. The cost of the drug, with and without insurance, can depend on several factors, such as whether Lipitor has a savings program.

As with all medications, the cost of Lipitor can vary. Factors that may affect the price you’ll pay include:

  • your treatment plan
  • your insurance coverage
  • the pharmacy you use
  • whether Lipitor has a savings program (see the “Financial and insurance assistance” section)

To find out what the cost of Lipitor will be for you, talk with your doctor, pharmacist, or insurance provider. Or look below in the next section to learn how much you can save by using an Optum Perks coupon.

To save money on your Lipitor prescription, explore these Optum Perks coupons.

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The active ingredient of Lipitor is atorvastatin, and it’s available as a generic drug. A generic drug is considered to be as safe and effective as the original drug. And generics tend to cost less than brand-name drugs.

If your doctor has prescribed Lipitor and you’re interested in taking atorvastatin instead, talk with your doctor. They may have a preference for one version or the other. You’ll also need to check with your insurance provider, as it may only cover one or the other.

To find out how the cost of this generic drug compares with the cost of Lipitor, talk with your doctor, pharmacist, or insurance provider.

WHY ARE COSTS DIFFERENT FOR BRAND-NAME DRUGS VS. GENERIC DRUGS?

Brand-name drugs can be expensive because of the research needed to test their safety and effectiveness. The manufacturer of a brand-name drug can sell it for up to 20 years. When the brand-name drug’s patent expires, multiple manufacturers can create generic versions. This marketplace competition may lead to lower costs for generics. Also, because generics contain the same active ingredients as brand-name drugs, they don’t require the same costly testing.

If you take Lipitor long term, you may be able to lower its cost in the following ways.

Getting a 3-month supply

You may be able to get a 90-day supply of Lipitor. If approved by your insurance company, getting a 90-day supply of the drug could reduce your number of trips to the pharmacy and help lower the cost. If you’re interested in this option, check with your doctor, pharmacist, or insurance provider.

Using a mail-order pharmacy

Lipitor may be available through a mail-order pharmacy. Using this type of service may help lower the drug’s cost and allow you to receive your medication without leaving home. Some Medicare plans may help cover the cost of mail-order medications. You may also be able to get a 90-day supply of the drug via mail order.

If you don’t have health insurance, talk with your doctor or pharmacist. They may be able to suggest online pharmacy options that could work for you.

If you need financial support to pay for Lipitor, or if you need help understanding your insurance coverage, help is available. For example:

  • The Lipitor Savings Card is available for Lipitor. For more information and to find out whether you’re eligible for support, call 800-314-7957 or visit the program website.
  • Some websites provide details about drug assistance programs, ways to make the most of your insurance coverage, and links to savings cards and other services. Two such websites are:

To learn more about saving money on prescriptions with or without insurance, check out this article.

Here are answers to some frequently asked questions about drug cost and Lipitor.

How much does Lipitor cost with insurance vs. without it?

What you pay for Lipitor if you have insurance compared with what you’d pay without it depends on several factors.

Factors that could affect what you pay for this drug without insurance include:

  • the quantity you’re prescribed (such as a 90-day or 30-day supply)
  • whether you apply and qualify for any available savings programs
  • your dosage and treatment plan
  • the pharmacy you use

These same factors may affect your price for Lipitor if you have insurance. But the price you pay with insurance will also depend on:

  • your specific plan benefits
  • any prior authorization requirements you have for drug coverage

To learn more about what you’d pay for Lipitor with or without insurance, talk with your doctor, pharmacist, or insurance provider (if you have one).

You can also visit Optum Perks* for price estimates for this drug when using coupons from their site. However, Optum Perks coupons cannot be used with insurance benefits or copays.

* Optum Perks is a sister site of Medical News Today.

Is Lipitor covered by Medicare?

It may be. You can call your Medicare plan provider to learn whether your particular plan covers the cost of this drug. There are many types of Medicare plans, so your coverage and what you pay for prescriptions will be based on your particular plan’s benefits.

You may also need to obtain prior authorization before your plan will cover the cost of this medication.

Your doctor may have information about your cost for Lipitor if you have Medicare.

Below is information you may want to consider if you have insurance and receive Lipitor.

If you have insurance, your insurance company may require prior authorization before it covers Lipitor. This means the company and your doctor will discuss Lipitor in regard to your treatment. The insurance company will then determine whether the medication is covered.

If a drug requires prior authorization but you start treatment without the prior approval, you could pay the full cost of the medication. You can ask your insurance company whether Lipitor requires prior authorization.

Disclaimer: Medical News Today has made every effort to make certain that all information is factually correct, comprehensive, and up to date. However, this article should not be used as a substitute for the knowledge and expertise of a licensed healthcare professional. You should always consult your doctor or another healthcare professional before taking any medication. The drug information contained herein is subject to change and is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, warnings, drug interactions, allergic reactions, or adverse effects. The absence of warnings or other information for a given drug does not indicate that the drug or drug combination is safe, effective, or appropriate for all patients or all specific uses.