Medicare Prescription Drug Plans

Medicare Prescription Drug Plans (Part D) provide prescription drug coverage to Medicare beneficiaries. Part D drug plans are provided by private insurance companies that are contracted with the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS). There are 2 ways to get your Medicare Prescription Drug benefits:

• A Stand-Alone Prescription Drug Plan and
• Medicare Advantage Plan

Stand-Alone Prescription Drug Plans

Part D prescription drug plans can be purchased as a stand-alone plan if you are enrolled in:

• Original Medicare (Part A and Part B)
• Some Medicare Cost Plans
• Some Private-Fee-For-Service plans
• Medicare Savings Account Plans

Who Can Enroll?

• You must be enrolled in Part A and/or Part B
• Live in the Plan’s service area
• Be lawfully present in the U.S.

You will have to pay the plan a monthly premium. Other costs you may have to pay include deductibles, copayments, and coinsurance. Coverage and cost vary by plan and may change each year. You may be required to use a pharmacy network.

Medicare Advantage Plans

If you choose to receive your Medicare insurance benefits through a Medicare Advantage Plan with prescription drug coverage (MAPD), you will get your drug coverage from the plan. Not all Medicare Advantage Plans have prescription drug coverage. Those without prescription coverage are called Medicare Advantage (MA) Plan.