Prescription Drug Coverage
Medicare Part D covers prescription drugs. You can get Part D coverage through a stand-alone Prescription Drug Plan (PDP) or a Medicare Advantage Plan that includes drug coverage.
Choosing the right drug coverage is essential to avoid thousands of dollars’ worth of potential expenses you shouldn’t have to pay.
What Does Part D Cover?
- Prescription drugs
- Biological products
- All immunizations not covered by Part B, including Tdap (tetanus, diphtheria, pertussis), Zoster (shingles), Varicella (chickenpox), and Hepatitis B.
- Syringes, needles, alcohol swabs, and gauze
- $35 for select insulins
Part D Basics:
- There are two ways to get Medicare drug coverage:
- Stand-alone Prescription Drug Plan (PDP)
- Medicare Advantage Plan that includes drug coverage
- Plans are sold by private companies.
- Each plan has a list of covered drugs called a formulary.
- The cost of each drug depends on the formulary tier.
- Plans may have a network of preferred pharmacies.
- Plans may have a deductible and maximum out of pocket.