The Medicare Prescription Drug Benefit (Part D)

The Medicare prescription drug benefit (Part D) covers most outpatient prescription drugs (the kind you get at the pharmacy or through mail-order). Unlike Medicare health benefits, though, Part D is only offered through private plans—there is no Original Medicare equivalent—and whether you should sign up for Medicare drug coverage depends on your particular needs.

The following materials can help you learn about the Part D: Downloadable Handouts (in PDF format unless otherwise noted; Spanish translations where available) and Essential Answers from Medicare Interactive (MI) Counselor, an independent, public resource of the Medicare Rights Center. MI offers expert information and advice on Medicare.

Note: If you are not eligible for Medicare drug coverage or you want to find other ways to pay for your prescription drugs (Rx), MRC has put together a resource list of discount drug programs.
• Programs that could help pay for your prescription costs

Part D Basics (Show Materials)

Enrolling in a Medicare Private Drug Plan (Show Materials)

Getting Your Drugs Covered (Hide Materials)

Downloadable Handouts

MI Counselor Essential Answers

Getting Medicare to Cover Your Drugs: Parts A, B, or D?      Download How do I get the most out of my new private Medicare drug plan?      Download My Part D plan won't pay for a drug I need. What should I do?      Download Part D Appeals Manual: An advocate’s manual to navigating the Medicare private drug plan appeals process      Download Helping Your Patients Get Their Medications: How to Appeal (Physician's Guide)      Download Physician's Exceptions Request Letter on Behalf of Their Patients to the Private Drug Plans (MSWordTM file)      Download What Physicians Need to Know to Ensure Their Medicare Patients Get the Drugs They Need      Download en Español How do I get the most out of my new private Medicare drug plan?      Download

Which part of Medicare will cover my drugs: Parts A, B or D?      Go To How do I get the most out of my private Medicare drug plan?      Go To What can I do if the drug I need is not covered by my Medicare drug plan or it is too expensive?      Go To

Help Paying for Your Drug Coverage (Show Materials)

Other Coverage and Medicare Drug Coverage (Show Materials)

New York Specific Information (Show Materials)

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