Does Medicare Cover Citalopram?

Christian Worstell
In this article...
  • Citalopram is a prescription drug that helps alleviate symptoms of depression and anxiety. Find out about Medicare coverage for Citalopram and average co-pays.

People with depression or anxiety may find that citalopram helps control associated symptoms, such as sadness, panic attacks and low energy. According to GoodRx.com, 100% of Medicare prescription drug plans provide coverage for citalopram. Learn more about this drug and the potential costs under Medicare. 

What Is Citalopram?

Citalopram is a generic drug classified as a selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI) and may be prescribed to treat symptoms of depression and anxiety. This drug works by balancing the levels of serotonin in the brain to stabilize mood, energy levels and sleep. You should tell your doctor if you're taking monoamine oxidase (MAO) inhibitors, as citalopram shouldn't typically be taken with this type of medication. 

This medication is dispensed in tablet form or liquid solution and may produce side effects, such as nausea, dry mouth and sexual dysfunction. Some individuals who have taken citalopram have reported an increase in thoughts or actions of self-harm. All potential side effects should be discussed with the prescriber prior to starting treatment. 

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How Much Does Citalopram Cost With Medicare? 

If you have Medicare Part D prescription drug coverage, citalopram is typically found on Tier 1 of the formulary. Tier 1 medications typically have the lowest co-pays, which can range from $0 to $15 for a 30-day supply. Additional ways to save on citalopram costs include enrollment in Extra Help, filling a 90-day supply of medication and dual enrollment in Medicaid. 

Does Medicare Part B Cover Antidepressants? 

No. Medicare Part B covers outpatient services, such as doctor's office visits, outpatient lab tests and durable medical equipment. In limited circumstances, certain drugs administered in a doctor's office may be covered under Part B. Since antidepressants are taken at home and aren't administered by a professional in a medical setting, they aren't covered by Medicare Part B. 

Christian Worstell
About the Author

Christian Worstell is a senior Medicare and health insurance writer with HelpAdivsor.com. He is also a licensed health insurance agent. Christian is well-known in the insurance industry for the thousands of educational articles he’s written, helping Americans better understand their health insurance and Medicare coverage.

Christian’s work as a Medicare expert has appeared in several top-tier and trade news outlets including Forbes, MarketWatch, WebMD and Yahoo! Finance.

While at HelpAdvisor, Christian has written hundreds of articles that teach Medicare beneficiaries the best practices for navigating Medicare. His articles are read by thousands of older Americans each month. By better understanding their health care coverage, readers may hopefully learn how to limit their out-of-pocket Medicare spending and access quality medical care.

Christian’s passion for his role stems from his desire to make a difference in the senior community. He strongly believes that the more beneficiaries know about their Medicare coverage, the better their overall health and wellness is as a result.

A current resident of Raleigh, Christian is a graduate of Shippensburg University with a bachelor’s degree in journalism. You can find Christian’s most recent articles in our blog.

If you’re a member of the media looking to connect with Christian, please don’t hesitate to email our public relations team at Mike@MyHelpAdvisor.com.

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