the medicare drug plan
6 Key Facts

1. Anyone on Medicare can get coverage regardless of income or health.

2. You are not obligated to enroll, but there may be consequences if you don't sign up when you are first eligible to do so.

3. To get Medicare drug coverage, you must select one approved private drug plan among many offering different choices. There is no single government plan.

4. Is your income limited? If you qualify for a part of the program known as "Extra Help." you'll pay very little for your medications.

5. Are your drug costs very high? You'll pay no more than 5 percent of the cost of each prescription after you've spent a certain amount of money out-of-pocket in any one year.

6. Do you have better drug coverage already? You probably won't need Medicare's Part D coverage. But it's wise to check.

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Medicare Prescription Drug Coverage Guide

Medicare provides insurance to help you pay for prescription drugs under a program known as Part D. This guide explains how the program works and helps you make decisions in choosing a plan that's right for you.

Your Medicare Part D
Questions Answered

Part 1: How Medicare Part D Works

Before deciding whether to sign up for Medicare drug coverage, you need to understand how the program works as a whole. read

Part 2: 'Extra Help' Paying for Prescriptions

If you have a limited income you may qualify for Medicare's "Extra Help" coverage. read

Part 3: Moving In and Out of the Doughnut Hole

Medicare Part D provides coverage up to a certain level each year. After that, there's a gap known as the 'doughnut hole." read

Part 4: Do You Need Medicare Part D?

Don’t dismiss Medicare drug benefits out of hand—even if you have good coverage or don’t take any prescription drugs read

Part 5: Choosing a Part D Drug Plan

Compare what's available to find the plan that's best for you. read

Part 6: Signing Up For a Plan

Once you’ve chosen a Part D plan, it’s easy to sign up. But make sure the plan you're buying really is the plan you want. read

additional
resources

Medicare Part D Glossary

Defining Part D's words, phrases and jargon. read

Where to Go for Help

Sources of information and assistance. read

Choosing a Medicare Part D Prescription Drug Plan for 2012

A step-by-step guide to Medicare's online Plan Finder. read

ask
Ms. Medicare

If you can't find the Part D answer you're looking for in this guide, you can check the Ask Ms. Medicare archives or email your query to msmed@aarp.org. Be sure to include your name, age, state and ZIP code. Your name will not be published.