MedInformatics - Medicare coverage: Part D - Prescription Drug

Original Medicare offers limited prescription drug benefits, and you’re only covered for medications you receive in certain inpatient and outpatient situations. Instead, Original Medicare beneficiaries can sign up for Medicare Part D prescription drug coverage through a separate Medicare Prescription Drug Plan. Keep in mind that these plans provide stand-alone prescription drug benefits, and you’ll need to stay enrolled in Part A and/or Part B for your hospital and medical coverage.

Alternatively, you can also get Medicare Part D coverage through a Medicare Advantage Prescription Drug plan (as mentioned above). The convenience of these plans is that they provide all of your Medicare Part A, Part B, and Part D benefits under a single plan.

If you currently take prescription drugs and are interested in getting Medicare Part D coverage, make sure that the plan you’re considering covers your current medications. You can look up this information by checking the plan’s formulary, or list of covered drugs. Every Medicare Prescription Drug Plan and Medicare Advantage Prescription Drug plan includes a formulary, and you can typically find this information online (or contact the plan). Keep in mind that formularies may change at any time, but the Medicare plan will notify you if needed.