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Frequently Asked Questions
1. Who can get Medicare Part D prescription drug coverage?
2. I don’t take any prescription drugs now. Why would I want to join a Medicare prescription drug plan?
3. If I will soon turn 65 and I want to sign up for Medicare Part D prescription drug coverage, do I have to wait until November 15 through December 31?
4. Do I have to sign up for Medicare Part D prescription drug coverage?
5. What if I have prescription drug coverage from an employer or union?
top of page1. Who can get Medicare Part D prescription drug coverage?
Any person with Medicare is entitled to the Medicare Part D prescription drug coverage. You must first be eligible for Medicare Part A (hospital care) and/or be enrolled in Medicare Part B (medical care). And you must join a prescription drug plan that is available where you live.
2. I don’t take any prescription drugs now. Why would I want to join a Medicare prescription drug plan?
Even if you don’t use prescription drugs now, you may need prescription drugs in the future. Medicare prescription drug coverage is important since medical practice has come to rely more and more on new drug therapies. Prescription drug coverage protects you from high out-of-pocket costs.
3. If I will soon turn 65 and I want to sign up for Medicare Part D prescription drug coverage, do I have to wait until November 15 through December 31?
No. If you are turning 65 you may join a Medicare prescription drug plan during the time that is called your Initial Coverage Election Period for both Medicare Part B and Medicare Part D. This period includes the three months before your birth month, your birth month, and three months after your birth month.
4. Do I have to sign up for Medicare Part D prescription drug coverage?
No. Signing up for this option is voluntary. However, if you do not join a Medicare prescription drug plan when you first become eligible for Medicare, you may pay a penalty when you do decide to enroll in a Medicare prescription drug plan unless you have what is called creditable coverage (as good as Medicare’s standard Part D) elsewhere. Also, you may pay the penalty each month for as long as you stay in a Medicare prescription drug plan. For most people, joining as soon as possible means you pay your lowest monthly premium. You can also feel secure that you will be protected from any unforeseen, catastrophic drug expenses.
5. What if I have prescription drug coverage from an employer or union?
If your employer or union plan covers as much as or more than a Medicare Standard Part D prescription drug plan, you can:
- Keep your current drug plan. If you join a Medicare prescription drug plan sometime in the future, you will not pay a monthly penalty.
- Drop your current drug plan and join Select Option.
If your employer or union plan covers less than a Medicare prescription drug plan, you can:
- Keep your current drug plan and join Select Option to give you more complete prescription drug coverage.
- Just keep your current drug plan. However, if you join a Medicare prescription drug plan later, you may have to pay a monthly penalty.
- Drop your current drug plan and join Select Option.