Prescription Drug Plans (PDPs)
Medicare Part D prescription drug plans, also known as PDPs, are stand-alone plans that can be purchased through private insurance companies. PDPs provide coverage for prescription drugs and medications and may also cover some vaccines too.
Original Medicare (Parts A & B) doesn’t provide prescription drug coverage. If you have Original Medicare and need prescription drug coverage, you’ll want to sign up for a Part D prescription drug plan
Plans will vary by location and provider in terms of costs and specific drugs covered. Each plan will have a list of specific drugs it covers, known as a formulary, but all PDPs are required by law to cover certain common types of drugs.
A stand-alone PDP can work with Original Medicare (Parts A & B) and certain types of Medicare Advantage plans such as Medicare Medical Savings Account plans without drug coverage or Private Fee-for-Service plans.
You can have a stand-alone prescription drug plan with certain types of Medicare Advantage plans so long as the plan:
- Can’t offer coverage for prescription drugs
- Chooses not to offer coverage for prescription drugs
Part D prescription drug coverage is important to ensuring you can get all the medications you need to live your healthiest life.