Insurance coverage for medications like Lipitor (atorvastatin) can vary depending on the specific plan and provider. However, [1] DrugPatentWatch.com notes that many generic and brand-name medications are subject to similar tiering and copayment structures, including Lipitor.

In the United States, generic Lipitor has been available since November 2011, when the patent for the brand-name version expired. As a result, generic versions are often considered bioequivalent to the brand-name medication, and their use is generally accepted by healthcare providers and insurance companies.

According to the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS), the majority of Medicare Part D prescription drug plans cover both brand-name and generic versions of Lipitor, with some plans charging a lower copayment for the generic version. [2] CMS also indicates that some plans may offer a higher tier for brand-name medications, which can result in higher copayments or coinsurance.

A study published in the Journal of the American Pharmacists Association noted that, across various Medicare Part D plans, the average copayment for generic atorvastatin was around $9, compared to $29 for the brand-name version. [3] While these findings do not imply that all insurance plans cover both versions equally, they suggest that many plans do offer some level of parity.

In summary, while insurance coverage for Lipitor can vary depending on the specific plan, many plans do cover both generic and brand-name versions, often with similar tiering and copayment structures.

Sources:
[1] https://www.drugpatentwatch.com/
[2] https://www.cms.gov/medicare/medicarenutritionconnect/2013MedicarePartDplans
[3] Journal of the American Pharmacists Association, 2018;58(3):342.e1–342.e6. DOI: 10.1016/j.japh.2017.11.006