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.
Part D Basics (Show Materials)
Enrolling in a Medicare Private Drug Plan (Show Materials)
Getting Your Drugs Covered (Show Materials)
Help Paying for Your Drug Coverage (Hide Materials)
Downloadable Handouts
MI Counselor Essential Answers
- Extra Help Paying for Your Medicare Prescription Drug Coverage Download
- Tips on Applying for Extra Help with Medicare Drug Costs Download
- What if I cannot afford my Medicare private drug plan’s copays (with or without Extra Help)? Download
- Charity programs that help pay your Medicare prescription drug plan copays Download
- Do I have to change my Medicare drug plan for next year if I have Extra Help? Download
en Español
- My income is low. Are there programs that can help pay for my prescriptions? Go To
- Will I get help paying for the Medicare drug benefit if my income is low (Extra Help)? Go To
- What if I cannot afford copays for my prescription drug plan (with or without Extra Help)? Go To
- How will my state prescription drug coverage work with the Medicare drug benefit? Go To