Does Medicare Cover Atrovent?

The costs of medications used to treat lung conditions can soon stack up, but your Medicare coverage could ease the burden on your wallet. Let's find out whether Medicare covers Atrovent and what co-pays to expect.

What Is Atrovent?

Atrovent is a brand of inhaled ipratropium used to treat lung problems, such as asthma, emphysema and mild COPD. This medication comes in an inhaler, and your doctor may recommend adding a spacer to increase the amount of the drug you inhale. Dosing recommendations depend on various factors, including your age and health condition. Most people take between one and four puffs when required to ease symptoms, but you should defer to your doctor's instructions. Your doctor may limit your dose to a maximum of 12 puffs per day if you have COPD.

Atrovent Side Effects

Seek medical assistance as soon as possible if your symptoms don't improve after taking Atrovent or you experience side effects. These include:

• Bladder pain
• Frequent or painful urination
• Chest tightness, wheezing and coughing
• Headache
• Fever
• Sore throat
• Congestion
• Tiredness

Does Medicare Cover Atrovent?

Fortunately, 100% of prescription drug (Medicare Part D) plans cover Atrovent. You'll generally find Atrovent under Tier 4 of your insurer's formulary, which is a comprehensive list of the medications your plan covers. 

How Much Does Atrovent Cost With Medicare?

You're responsible for paying for your Atrovent prescription in the deductible stage of your Medicare plan, which is the period before you meet the deductible. It's a relatively expensive medication, typically costing upwards of $500 for a single inhaler. However, a few plans may cover some prescription drugs during the deductible stage, which may include Atrovent. 

Knowing your deductible can help you estimate how long you'll pay for your prescription before your policy takes over. Some Part D plans don't have deductibles, but most charge deductibles up to the legal limit of $545.

Your coverage kicks in once you've paid your deductible. Most plans require a small co-pay each time you receive coverage during the post-deductible stage. Atrovent co-pays with Medicare Part D coverage usually range between $12 and $39.

Are There Any Atrovent Coverage Restrictions With Medicare?

Whether your Medicare Part D plan restricts your Atrovent coverage depends on your insurer's rules. Many companies operate quantity limits for Atrovent. Therefore, you can only receive coverage for a limited amount of the drug at any one time.