Maximize your Medicare prescription drug benefits with Part D

Prescription coverage, cost and plan selection

Medicare Part D is your prescription drug coverage, designed to make medications more affordable.

Even if you don’t take medications, be sure to enroll in Part D during your Initial Eligibility Period (IEP) to avoid penalties. You can’t be denied coverage due to pre-existing conditions, the number of medications you take or your income.

How to add Medicare Part D

• Choose a Medicare Advantage Plan with Prescription Drug Coverage (MAPD)
• Purchase a stand-alone Prescription Drug Plan (PDP)

Both MAPD and PDP must meet Medicare’s minimum standards for coverage, making sure they offer benefits at least as good as Medicare itself.

To join a MAPD or PDP, you must have Medicare Parts A and B and live in the service area of the plan.

How Medicare Part D coverage works

While all Part D plans are similar, premiums and copays will be different. Medication coverage under Part D plans will vary depending on which coverage period they occur in.

1. Deductible
   • This is the first payment stage for your drug coverage.
   • You’ll pay full cost for most medication in this stage.
   • Plans may or may not have a deductible.
2. Initial coverage period
   • This period begins after you meet your annual deductible (if applicable).
   • During this stage, the plan pays its share of the cost of your covered prescription drugs, and you pay your share.
   • Your share of the cost will vary depending on the drug and where you fill your prescription.
   • You stay in this stage until you reach a set limit defined by Medicare.
3. Catastrophic coverage
   • Once you’re in this stage, you will stay in this payment stage until the end of the calendar year.
   • During this payment stage, you pay nothing for your covered Part D drugs.