Lorazepam (Ativan) Medicare Coverage

Lorazepam is the generic form of the brand name medication Ativan.

Lorazepam is used short term (less than 4 months) to treat anxiety symptoms, anxiety associated with depression symptoms or anxiety/stress-associated insomnia. Your dosage of Lorazepam depends on what you are treating, but is typically taken 1 to 3 times daily.

Lorazepam is a benzodiazepine medication that works in the brain to help calm anxiety. The most common side effects you may experience while taking Lorazepam include feeling tired, dizziness, headache and fatigue.  

How much does Lorazepam cost with Medicare?

Lorazepam coverage and costs may vary based on the specific plan you have, as well as what coverage stage you're in.

Contact your plan carrier or consult your plan formulary for more cost information.

Does Medicare cover Lorazepam?

According to GoodRx, 100% of Medicare Advantage plans and Medicare Part D plans covered Lorazepam in 2023.¹

• Medicare Advantage plans or Part D plans that cover Lorazepam include copay amounts that can range widely from one plan to another. Plan members may also be responsible for meeting a deductible before the plan’s drug coverage kicks in.
  
  
• Medicare Advantage plans that offer prescription drug coverage are called Medicare Advantage Prescription Drug Plans (MA-PD). 89% of 2023 Medicare Advantage plans included prescription drug coverage.²
  
  
• Medicare prescription drugs plans each have their own formulary, or drug list, that details what prescription drugs are covered by the plan and how they are covered.

Drug coverage may vary based on plan availability. You may be able to find Medicare Advantage plan options in your area that cover Lorazepam. We represent carriers such as Humana, UnitedHealthcare^®, Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield, Aetna, Cigna Healthcare, Wellcare, or Kaiser Permanente.

You can also compare Part D prescription drug plans available where you live and enroll in a Medicare prescription drug plan online when you visit MyRxPlans.com.

Additional information

You can take Lorazepam with or without food, but food may help if this medication upsets your stomach. Avoid alcohol while taking Lorazepam.

Take Lorazepam as your doctor has prescribed. If you take this drug on a regular basis, do not stop taking this medication suddenly, as it can cause withdrawal symptoms.

Lorazepam can make you very tired. Make sure you know how it affects you before doing any activities like driving or other tasks that require you to be alert.

Using Lorazepam or other benzodiazepine medications with opioid pain medications can result in extreme sedation, slow breathing, coma and even death. It is very important to talk to your doctor about the best way to take your medications if you are taking both of these medications together.

If you take these medications together, get help right away if you feel extremely sleepy or dizzy, if you have slow or troubled breathing or if you pass out.

This article is for informational purposes only. It is not healthcare advice, treatment, or diagnosis. It is not an endorsement of or recommendation for this medication. Speak to your doctor or healthcare provider about your specific healthcare needs, including your prescription medications. Only take medication as directed by your doctor.

Coverage and costs of prescription medications will vary by Medicare plan. Not all plans are available in all areas.

Written by Hayden Gharibyar, Pharm.D.