Is Medicare Part D Required?

For most Medicare recipients, enrolling in Part D is optional. Part D provides some coverage for prescription drugs. It may be necessary to enroll in Part D to get prescription drug coverage.   

Your situation is unique, and Medicare options can seem complicated. Contact Professor Medicare today to get help with Part D coverage.  

What Is Medicare Part D? 
Medicare Part D helps cover the costs of your prescription drugs. This optional coverage may be appropriate even if you don’t currently take prescription drugs. If you decide not to enroll in Part D when you are first eligible, you may have to pay a late enrollment penalty for as long as you have Part D coverage if you join a plan later. 

What Does Medicare Part D Cover? 
Medicare Part D covers a range of prescription drugs, including commonly used medications and most drugs that treat severe medical conditions like cancer.  

All plans must follow Medicare’s drug coverage guidelines, but plan coverage may vary. Medicare places each drug into one of three tiers, each with a different cost. Generally, drugs in a lower tier cost less than those in a higher tier. Before choosing a plan, review your current list of medications so you can plan for your potential out-of-pocket costs. 

How To Get Medicare Part D 
There are two ways to get drug coverage with Medicare. You can choose Part D coverage, but you must have Original Medicare (Parts A and B), or you can select Part C and other plans that include prescription drug coverage.  

You must live in your plan’s service area to get Part D coverage. There are three times when you can drip, switch or join a Part D plan or a Medicare Advantage plan with drug coverage: 

• Open enrollment period is October 15 through December 7 each year. During this time, you can switch, drop or join a plan. 
• Initial enrollment period is when you first become eligible for Medicare coverage. During this time, you can join prescription drug a plan. 
• Medicare Advantage open enrollment period is January 1 through March 31 each year. You can switch to a different Medicare Advantage plan or Original Medicare and add Part D during this time.  

Contact Us 
Contact Professor Medicare today to learn more about how to get prescription drug coverage with Medicare.  

This blog is intended for informational and educational use only. It is not exhaustive and should not be construed as legal advice. Please contact your insurance professional for further information.