Medicare Part D

What exactly is it?

Medicare Part D

Medicare Part D is a voluntary prescription drug benefit that helps cover the cost of most outpatient prescription drugs, including many recommended vaccines and shots. Part D is available to everyone who qualifies for Medicare, but it's optional and only offered through private insurance companies.

Here are some things to know about Medicare Part D:

Enrollment

It's recommended to enroll in Part D when you first get Medicare to avoid gaps in coverage and enrollment penalties. If you don't enroll when you first get Medicare, you'll pay an extra 1% for each month you delay enrollment, up to 12% per year.

Plan options

You can enroll in Part D as a stand-alone plan or as part of a Medicare Advantage Plan. Medicare Advantage Plans typically include Part D coverage.

Drug coverage

Each Part D plan has a list of covered drugs, called a formulary. If your drug isn't on the formulary, you may have to pay out of pocket or request an exception.

Picture of Pill bottle with large lettering next to pill botttle saying Medicare Part D.
Picture of Pill bottle with large lettering next to pill botttle saying Medicare Part D.

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