What cholesterol medication is covered by Medicare?

Asked by: Jamar Wuckert Sr.  |  Last update: January 27, 2026
Score: 4.1/5 (16 votes)

Medicare Part D (prescription drug plans) covers most common cholesterol medications, including generics like atorvastatin (Lipitor), simvastatin (Zocor), and rosuvastatin (Crestor), often at lower tiers (1 or 2) for lower costs, alongside brand names and newer injectables like Repatha (evolocumab) or Leqvio (inclisiran), but coverage depends on your specific plan's formulary (drug list) and tier placement, requiring you to check your plan details for exact costs.

How much does Repatha cost for Medicare patients?

If you have Medicare Part D coverage and are eligible for Part D Low Income Subsidy (LIS) plan (eg, dual-eligibles with Medicare and Medicaid), you can expect to pay $12.65 or less per month for a Repatha® prescription. www.ssa.gov/benefits/medicare/prescriptionhelp/.

What are the 5 treatments not covered by Medicare?

Medicare generally doesn't cover cosmetic surgery, long-term care, hearing aids, routine dental care, and most vision care (like eyeglasses), although it does cover emergency dental/vision care or medically necessary services linked to other treatments. Other common exclusions include most chiropractic care, acupuncture, massage therapy, and basic custodial care for daily activities like bathing. 

Is atorvastatin covered by Medicare?

Check the tiers

Use this drug list to find which tier your medication falls into. Medicare Part D plans typically consist of five tiers, including: Tier 1 and Tier 2, which cover generic prescriptions like Atorvastatin or Lisinopril. Tier 3 and Tier 4 for brand-name medications (higher cost)

What is the best prescription drug plan for seniors on Medicare?

The "best" Medicare Part D plan for seniors depends on individual needs, but top-rated providers often include UnitedHealthcare (AARP), Humana, and Aetna, offering strong coverage, low deductibles/premiums, and good customer service, while Cigna excels in premiums. The key to finding the ideal plan is to use the official Medicare.gov plan comparison tool (which is the official government site for Medicare) and enter your specific medications to compare costs, formulary (drug list), preferred pharmacies, and overall value, as the best plan changes yearly. 

What are Prescription Drug Tiers?

30 related questions found

What medications will no longer be covered by Medicare?

Drugs that promote fertility (i.e., Clomid, Gonal-f, Ovidrel®, Follistim®, etc.) Drugs for cosmetic purposes or hair growth (i.e., Propecia®, Renova®, Vaniqa®, etc.) Drugs for the relief of cough and cold symptoms (i.e., Phenergan w/Codeine, Robitussin® AC, Tanafed, Tessalon® Perle, etc.)

What is the most expensive drug for Medicare?

Eliquis (generic name: Apixaban) alone racked up $18.3 billion in Medicare spending in 2023, nearly double the next drug, Ozempic. Alongside Xarelto, anticoagulants accounted for over $24 billion in 2023.

What are the biggest mistakes people make with Medicare?

Here are some of the biggest Medicare mistakes to avoid:

  • Missing the initial enrollment window. ...
  • Assuming Medicare covers everything. ...
  • Overlooking the benefits of supplemental coverage. ...
  • Forgetting to enroll or re-evaluate prescription drug coverage. ...
  • Not comparing plans regularly.

Why are they discontinuing Repatha?

Repatha isn't being discontinued entirely, but rather specific delivery systems are being phased out (Pushtronex system discontinued in 2024, prefilled syringe in mid-2025) to improve the patient experience and consolidate offerings, with patients transitioning to the more streamlined SureClick autoinjector for better convenience, not due to any quality or safety issues with the drug itself, as noted by.
 

What are the four things Medicare doesn't cover?

Medicare doesn't cover major gaps like long-term care, most dental care, routine vision/hearing care, and prescription drugs, requiring separate plans (like Medicare Advantage, Medigap, or Part D) to fill these gaps, alongside things like cosmetic surgery, acupuncture, and foreign travel. 

Why do cardiologists prescribe metoprolol?

Metoprolol is indicated primarily for conditions such as hypertension, angina pectoris, heart failure, and arrhythmias. The medication exerts its therapeutic effect by selectively inhibiting β-1 adrenergic receptors, resulting in diminished cardiac contractility, heart rate, and blood pressure.

How often will Medicare pay for a Lipid Panel for high cholesterol?

For asymptomatic patients without cardiovascular disease, Medicare covers lipid panels once every five years. However, for individuals who are on long-term anti-lipid therapy or have borderline high cholesterol, annual testing may be warranted and covered, reflecting the need for ongoing monitoring in these cases.

What is the best prescription for cholesterol?

Statins are the most common medicine for high cholesterol. They reduce the amount of cholesterol your body makes. You take a tablet once a day. You usually need to take them for life.

Is Eliquis covered by Medicare?

In general, Medicare Part D plans, also known as the prescription drug benefit, cover Eliquis. You'll be responsible for your monthly premiums and yearly deductible, as well as copays for your prescription medicines. For 2026, the maximum deductible for Part D coverage is $615.

What is the best prescription drug coverage for Medicare?

The "best" Medicare drug plan (Part D) depends on your specific medications and budget, but top-rated providers for 2026 often include UnitedHealthcare, Humana, Aetna, and Cigna, known for different strengths like low deductibles, $0 premium options, or strong quality ratings. Key factors to compare are your drugs' formulary coverage, monthly premiums, deductibles, copays, and pharmacy networks, using tools like the Medicare Plan Finder to find the most affordable and comprehensive choice for you.
 

What are the 10 negotiated Medicare drugs?

Medicare's first 10 negotiated drugs for 2026 include popular treatments like Eliquis, Jardiance, Xarelto, Januvia, Farxiga, Entresto, Enbrel, Imbruvica, Stelara, and the insulins Fiasp/NovoLog, aiming to significantly lower costs for beneficiaries by reducing prices for these high-spend, high-need medications. These negotiated lower prices will take effect starting January 1, 2026, with substantial discounts expected, such as a 79% price drop for Januvia.
 

What is the donut hole in Medicare?

Medicare drug plans previously had a coverage gap (also called the "donut hole"). The donut hole was a temporary limit on what the drug plan would cover for drugs. Now all Medicare plans include a $2,000 cap on what you pay out-of-pocket for prescription drugs covered by your plan.

Who qualifies for an extra $144 added to their social security?

You qualify for an extra amount added to your Social Security check, often called the Medicare Part B Giveback Benefit, if you enroll in a specific Medicare Advantage (Part C) plan that offers it, live in its service area, and are responsible for paying your own Part B premiums. This benefit reduces your Part B premium, and the amount saved is credited back to your Social Security check, essentially adding money back to your payment, with amounts varying by plan and location. 

What changes are coming to Medicare in 2025?

Medicare changes for 2025 focus heavily on Part D prescription drug coverage, introducing a $2,000 out-of-pocket spending cap, the elimination of the "donut hole," and a new option to pay for drug costs monthly, alongside other updates like higher Part B premiums and continued telehealth flexibility, all part of the Inflation Reduction Act's rollout. These changes aim to lower prescription drug costs and spread expenses, making coverage more manageable for beneficiaries. 

Is it better to go on Medicare or stay on private insurance?

Neither Medicare nor private insurance is universally "better"; the best choice depends on individual needs, with Medicare often offering lower overall costs and broader provider choice (Original Medicare) but private plans potentially covering dependents and having out-of-pocket caps, while Medicare Advantage blends aspects of both, requiring careful comparison of costs, networks, and benefits. Medicare typically has lower premiums and administrative costs but Original Medicare has no out-of-pocket maximum, while private insurance offers family coverage but higher premiums, and Advantage plans can have provider restrictions. 

Why are doctors still prescribing rosuvastatin?

Rosuvastatin is used to lower cholesterol if you have been diagnosed with high blood cholesterol. It's also taken to prevent heart disease, including heart attacks and strokes. Your doctor may also prescribe rosuvastatin if you have diabetes, kidney disease, or a family history of rheumatoid arthritis or heart disease.

What is better, Crestor or rosuvastatin?

There is no difference in active ingredient: Crestor is the brand name, and rosuvastatin is the generic name for the exact same medication, a statin used to lower cholesterol and heart risks. The choice between brand-name Crestor and generic rosuvastatin often comes down to cost, as generic versions are typically cheaper, but they must meet the same FDA standards for safety and effectiveness as the original.