The Affordable Care Act (ACA) includes a provision that makes certain preventive services, including statins, available with a $0 copay for individuals between the ages of 40 and 75. However, as the post highlights, this benefit is not always straightforward and can vary depending on individual insurance policies.

How Statins Are Covered Under the ACA

Under the ACA, health insurance plans must cover preventive services, including statins, without any cost-sharing for individuals aged 40 to 75. This means that you should not have to pay a deductible, copay, or coinsurance for your statin prescription.

Why You May Be Facing a Copay

There are several reasons why you may still be facing a copay for your statin prescription, even though you are eligible for the $0 copay benefit under the ACA:

Your insurance plan may have a different formulary. Insurance plans have formularies that determine which drugs are covered and at what cost. It’s possible that your plan’s formulary includes statins but places them on a higher tier, which could result in a copay.
Your doctor may have prescribed a higher-priced statin. The $0 copay benefit only applies to generic statins. If your doctor has prescribed a brand-name statin, you may be responsible for a higher copay.
Your insurance plan may have coverage gaps. Some insurance plans have coverage gaps, also known as “doughnut holes,” where you may have to pay a higher copay until you reach a certain deductible or out-of-pocket maximum.

How to Get Your $0 Copay

If you believe you are eligible for the $0 copay benefit but are facing a copay, there are steps you can take:

Talk to your insurance company. Contact your insurance company and ask why you are being charged a copay. They can explain the coverage terms for statins under your plan.
Ask your doctor to prescribe a generic statin. If your doctor has prescribed a brand-name statin, ask them if they can prescribe a generic alternative. Generic statins are equally effective as brand-name statins but cost less.
Consider changing insurance plans. If your current insurance plan does not offer you the $0 copay benefit for statins, you may want to consider switching to a plan that does. You can compare plans during the open enrollment period or by contacting a licensed insurance agent.