Medicare Part D
Medicare Part D provides coverage for prescription drugs and is sold by private insurance companies approved by Medicare. Most Medicare beneficiaries purchase prescription drug coverage as an addition to their coverage plans.
You can get prescription drug coverage through a Medicare Advantage plan or a separate Part D plan. Each prescription drug coverage plan has different plan options and rates.
To qualify for Part D, you must meet the same eligibility requirements as Medicare Part A and Part B. You can also enroll for Part D during the Initial Enrollment Period once you are enrolled in Original Medicare.
Cost
Prescription drug coverage plans have copayments, deductibles, and monthly premiums. The cost of a Part D plan depends on certain factors, such as location or income. There are Part D plans with high deductibles that can go up to $545, while some plans may have $0 deductibles. In 2024, the average premium is around $55.50 each month, but can fluctuate each year based on the changes in the plan formularies.
Since 2011, higher income beneficiaries’ Part D monthly premiums are based on income. These fall under the same Income Related Monthly Adjustment Amounts (IRMAA) that you will see under Part B, but at different rates. Part D premiums vary from plan to plan and roughly two-thirds of beneficiaries pay premiums directly to the plan, while the remaining beneficiaries have their premiums deducted from their Social Security benefit checks. Regardless of how a beneficiary pays their Part D premium, the Part D income-related monthly adjustment amounts are deducted from Social Security benefit checks or paid directly to Medicare.
Due to changes in coverage options by the insurer, the cost of a prescription drug plan may fluctuate each year. People who cannot cover their Part D costs due to low income can get help with their Part D expenses through the Part D Extra Help program.
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