Medicare drug coverage (also known as Medicare Part D) helps pay for the brand-name and generic drugs you need. It's optional and offered to everyone with Medicare by insurance companies and other private companies approved by Medicare.

Medicare drug coverage (Part D) helps cover the cost of prescription drugs. To get Medicare drug coverage, you must join a Medicare-approved plan that offers drug coverage. Private insurance companies offer Medicare drug coverage and must follow rules set by Medicare. Each plan can vary in cost and specific drugs covered.

You get your Part A, Part B, and Medicare drug coverage (Part D) through a single plan. Remember, you must have Part A and Part B to join a Medicare Advantage Plan, and you’ll usually get your drug coverage through that plan.

Part D helps cover the cost of prescription drugs (including many recommended shots or vaccines). You join a Medicare drug plan in addition to Original Medicare , or you get it by joining a Medicare Advantage Plan with drug coverage. Plans that offer Medicare drug coverage are run by private insurance companies that follow rules set by Medicare.

Medicare drug coverage (Part D) is extra coverage people with Medicare can choose to help lower costs of prescription drugs. Medicare-approved private plans offer this coverage. Even if you don’t take prescription drugs now, consider getting Medicare drug coverage.

Medicare drug coverage (Part D) covers drugs Part B doesn't cover. If you join a plan with Medicare drug coverage, check your plan's drug list (formulary) to find out what outpatient drugs your plan covers.

The Part D late enrollment penalty is calculated by multiplying 1% times the “national base beneficiary premium” ($36.78 in 2025) times the number of full, uncovered months you were eligible to join Medicare drug coverage but didn’t (and didn’t have other creditable prescription drug coverage).

Creditable prescription drug coverage is prescription drug coverage that’s expected to pay, on average, at least as much as Medicare drug coverage. This could include drug coverage from a current or former employer or union, TRICARE, the Indian Health Service, or the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA).

Medicare Advantage Plans, sometimes called “Part C” or “MA Plans,” are Medicare-approved plans. They’re offered by private companies that must follow rules set by Medicare. Most Medicare Advantage Plans include drug coverage (Part D). There are several types of Medicare Advantage Plans (go to page 12 for more information). Each of ...

Medicare Advantage bundles your Part A, Part B, and usually Part D coverage into one plan. Plans may offer some extra benefits that Original Medicare doesn’t cover — like vision, hearing, and dental services.