Enrolling in a Medicare Prescription Drug Plan

Many Medicare beneficiaries choose to enroll in Medicare Part D in order to meet medication needs.  Part D is especially important for people who require significant prescription medication.  It can help reduce your out-of-pocket costs and make necessary drugs more accessible and affordable.

If you have the Original Medicare Plan, you may choose to enroll in a prescription drug plan to add coverage.  You can also enroll to add coverage to certain Medicare Private Fee-for-Service Plans, certain Medicare Medical Savings Account Plans, and certain Medicare Cost Plans.  Another way to gain Prescription drug coverage is to choose a Medicare Advantage Plan that includes this drug coverage.

When you enroll in a drug plan, you will usually pay considerably less for your prescriptions, although you will sometimes be required to cover copayments, coinsurance, or deductibles.  The overall cost of your plan will depend on a number of factors, such as whether or not you are eligible for extra help, if you are willing to forgo brand-name drugs, what type of drugs you require, the quantity of medication you need, what your plan coverage gap is, and, ultimately, what prescription drug plan or provider you choose.

To enroll in a prescription drug plan, you may want to call the plan directly.  That way, you can ask them any pertinent questions you may have about the plan you’ve chosen.  You can also call Medicare for assistance, at 1-800-633-4227.