The Insurance Mom is thrilled to tell you how to save even more money on your prescriptions if you have those pesky cholesterol problems and have been taking — or are about to start taking — Lipitor.
The 17-year patent has finally expired… wahoo! Now the drug is available in generic form. Atorvastatin is the generic name to ask about at the doctor’s office or pharmacy.
Today’s health insurance plans usually have a “tiered” drug benefit. Drugs on Tier 1 are the least expensive; most of them are generics. Atorvastatin has been added to most formularies at the Tier 1 level, meaning they’re going to save you SO much money!
If your doctor insists that you continue to take the brand name drug Lipitor, well… Tell your doctor you want him/her to pay for it! Or give you free samples. It’s been moved to Tier 3 in most formularies and is going to put a severe cramp in your monthly budget!
Fight for your money! Spend less. Use generic drugs. It will not only cost you less but it will cost the insurance companies less too. If we all insist on prescriptions for generics only, then the insurance companies spend less on ridiculously high-cost drugs and we could all have an impact on how insurance premiums rise every year.
And just think, if you’re spending less on prescriptions you’ll have more money available for sushi!
