Extra time to enroll with no late penalty starts when the emergency is officially declared and lasts for six months after the disaster’s declared end date or the end date of any extension. A special enrollment period (SEP) for a declared disaster also applies to people who miss other enrollment opportunities, like the annual open enrollment period (Oct. 15 to Dec. 7), but it would only last two months after the disaster’s end date. Additionally, if you rely on friends or family members who live in the disaster area for help making health care decisions, you may still qualify for the SEP, even if you don’t live in the impacted area. To confirm if you’re eligible for this SEP, call Medicare at 800-MEDICARE (800-633-4227). A list of active disaster declaration areas can be found on the FEMA website.

Yes, Medicare drug plans can stop covering a drug, add restrictions or change the amount you pay for the drug after March 1 each year. If this happens, the plan must give you a 60-day advance notice and explain how the change will impact you.

If a drug you’re already taking is removed midyear, the plan should keep covering it for the rest of the year—unless there’s a safety concern or a generic is available. If a generic is available, the plan is not required to keep covering the brand-name drug.

If you would like to keep taking the brand-name drug, you will need to file a formulary exception request with the plan. To find out more, visit cms.gov/medicare/appeals-grievances/prescription-drug/exceptions.

While you can buy medications from online pharmacies or through drug discount programs, those purchases are separate from Medicare Part D. Any drug bought this way won’t count toward your Part D deductible or out-of-pocket maximum, or be part of your Medicare claims history.

If you expect to spend close to $2,000 on prescriptions this year, it’s worth using your Part D benefit, as Medicare will cover your Part D drugs at no additional cost after you reach this spending limit. You can use the Medicare plan finder to help estimate your total drug costs.

Drug discount programs and online pharmacies can offer savings, but they don’t replace Medicare Part D. These programs cover a limited number of drugs, while Part D includes medications across all therapeutic categories, including many brand names. Note that if you don’t sign up for Part D when you’re first eligible, you may have to pay a late enrollment penalty.