Prescription drugs
Medicare Part D covers prescription drugs. You can sign up for a Part D plan if you have Part A, Part B, or both. It's often included in Part C plans, also known as Medicare Advantage.
How do I get Medicare Part D?
In general, you get Medicare Part D through:
- Medicare Advantage plans
- Stand-alone Medicare prescription drug plans (PDP)
We'll explain each option below.
Medicare Advantage plans
These plans (also known as Medicare Part C), cover a range of benefits and may include Part D. Visit the Medicare Part C section of this website for more details on these plans.
Stand-alone Medicare prescription drug plans (PDPs)
Medicare PDPs are stand-alone plans that only cover prescriptions drugs. Helpful things to know:
- If you buy a stand-alone PDP, you can add its drug coverage to your Original Medicare (Parts A and B) or Medicare Supplement plan.
- If you have a Medicare Advantage plan that doesn't include Part D, you may be able to add this coverage if it's offered in your area.
Please note: You can only have one prescription drug plan at a time. If you already have a Medicare health plan with Part D coverage, joining a stand-alone PDP could make you lose your current Medicare health plan coverage.
How do I sign up for Medicare Part D?
You can only join, change, or drop a Medicare Part D plan during certain times of year, or under certain special circumstances.
Sign up directly with your Medicare plan of choice, or contact Medicare at 1-800-633-4227 (TTY 1-877-486-2048), 24 hours a day, 7 days week.
What will I pay for Medicare Part D?
Your Part D cost will depend on which plan you choose.
If you're on a limited income, you may qualify for the Extra Help with Medicare Prescription Drug Plan Costs program, also called the low-income subsidy program (LIS). This program may help you with the cost of Part D premiums, deductibles, and copays.
