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 (Show Materials)

Help Paying for Your Drug Coverage (Show Materials)

Other Coverage and Medicare Drug Coverage (Show Materials)

New York Specific Information (Hide Materials)

Downloadable Handouts

MI Counselor Essential Answers

The Medicare Drug Benefit: Consumer Handout      Download What Physicians Need to Know to Ensure Their Medicare Patients Get the Drugs They Need      Download Physician's Exceptions Request Letter on Behalf of Their Patients to the Private Drug Plans (MSWordTM file)      Download What happens to my Medicaid drug coverage when the Medicare drug benefit begins?      Download Extra Help Paying for Your Medicare Prescription Drug Coverage      Download Get Assistance Enrolling in Extra Help!      Download EPIC and the Medicare drug benefit: What you need to know      Download en Español The Medicare Drug Benefit: Consumer Handout      Download What happens to my Medicaid drug coverage when the Medicare drug benefit begins?      Download Extra Help Paying for Your Medicare Prescription Drug Coverage      Download Get Assistance Enrolling in Extra Help!      Download EPIC and the Medicare drug benefit: What you need to know      Download

You can find Medicare coverage information specific to your state in Medicare Interactive Counselor! Just click on your state name in the pull-down menu that you see in the upper right-hand corner of any page in Medicare Interactive.

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