Medicare prescription drug plans are offered by private insurance companies approved by Medicare (plan sponsors). Each plan can vary in premium cost, cost sharing, and drugs covered. If an individual does not take prescriptions now, they should still consider enrolling in a Medicare drug plan or other creditable prescription drug coverage. If an individual decides not to join a Medicare drug plan when first eligible, and they don't have other creditable prescription drug coverage, they may pay a late enrollment penalty if later they enroll in a Medicare Prescription Drug Plan.
Each standalone Part D plan and Medicare Advantage plan with prescription drug coverage varies in cost and the formulary of the medications covered. Plans change from year to year. A plan that covers certain prescriptions this year may change and not cover the same prescription drugs the following year. The most effective tool to determine an "estimate" of a person’s drug costs is using the Medicare Plan Finder (External Link).
Types of Medicare Prescription Drug Coverage
There are two ways to obtain Medicare prescription drug coverage:
1.)
Medicare Prescription Drug Plans. These plans (sometimes called "PDPs") add prescription drug coverage to Original Medicare, some Medicare Cost Plans, some Medicare Private Fee-for-Service (PFFS) Plans, and Medicare Medical Savings Account (MSA) Plans.
2.)
Medicare Advantage Plans (like an HMO or PPO) or other Medicare health plans that offer Medicare prescription drug coverage. Medicare Advantage Plans with prescription drug coverage are sometimes called "MA-PDs."
Medicare beneficiaries cannot have both a Medicare Advantage plan and a stand-alone Medicare Part D plan. If a beneficiary is enrolled in a Medicare Advantage Plan and enrolls in a stand-alone Part D Plan, they will be disenrolled from their Medicare Advantage Plan.
Medicare Part D Plan Enrollment
Before enrolling in a Medicare Part D plan, an individual should learn how Medicare prescription drug coverage works with their other drug coverage they currently have (such as drug coverage from an employer or union, TRICARE, VA, the Indian Health Service). The drug coverage they already have may change because of Medicare drug coverage enrollment. It’s important to consider all coverage options. If an individual has (or are eligible for) other types of drug coverage, they should verify information from the insurer or plan provider. An individual should speak with their benefits administrator, insurer, or plan provider before making any changes to current coverage.
To enroll in Medicare Part D, an individual must first be enrolled in Medicare Parts A and/or B. Typically, beneficiaries are enrolled in Medicare Part A, B, and supplemental health insurance (ex. medicare supplement policy), then choose to enroll in a Medicare Part D plan for prescription drug coverage. Medicare beneficiaries cannot have both a Medicare Advantage plan and a stand-alone Medicare Part D plan. If a beneficiary is enrolled in a Medicare Advantage Plan and enrolls in a stand-alone Part D Plan, they will be disenrolled from their Medicare Advantage Plan.
Medicare Part D Plan Enrollment Periods
Initial Enrollment Period:
A beneficiary's first chance to sign up for Medicare is called their Initial Enrollment Period. It lasts for 7 months. If you’re eligible for Medicare because of your age, the Initial Enrollment Period starts 3 months before you turn 65, and ends 3 months after the month you turn 65. During this time, a beneficiary can enroll in a Medicare Part D Plan.
Annual Open Enrollment Period:
The annual enrollment period takes place from October 15 to December 7 each year. During this time, Medicare beneficiaries can join, drop, or switch to another Medicare Advantage Plan (or add or drop drug coverage), join a Medicare Advantage Plan or switch from a Medicare Advantage Plan to Original Medicare, or join, drop, or switch to another Medicare drug plan if in Original Medicare.
Special Enrollment Period (SEP):
Beneficiaries can make changes to their Medicare Advantage and Medicare drug coverage when certain events happen in their life, like if they move or lose other coverage. These chances to make changes are called Special Enrollment Periods. There are many events that may qualify you for a Special Enrollment Period. A comprehensive list of special enrollment periods can be found here: Medicare Enrollment Guidance (External Link).
To Enroll in a Medicare Part D Plan:
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Contact the Medicare Part D Plan Sponsor (insurance company) directly.
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Contact Medicare at 1-800-633-4227.
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Enroll online at Medicare.Gov (External Link).
Medicare Part D Late Enrollment Penalty
The Medicare Part D late enrollment penalty (LEP) is an amount that is added to an individual's Part D monthly plan premium. An individual may owe a LEP if they did not enroll in a Medicare drug plan when first eligible for Medicare (during their Initial Enrollment Period) and, at any time after, went 63 days or more in a row without having Medicare drug coverage or other creditable prescription drug coverage. Generally, an individual will have to pay the penalty for as long as they have Medicare drug coverage. The cost of the penalty depends on how long the individual went without Part D or other creditable prescription drug coverage.
Note: Individuals who receive the Social Security Administration's Low Income Subsidy “Extra Help” program do not pay the late enrollment penalty.