Medicare Services · Prescription Drug
Medicare Part D Plans
Stand-alone prescription drug coverage, matched to the medications you actually take.
What is Medicare Part D?
Part D is Medicare's prescription drug benefit. Original Medicare (Parts A and B) doesn't cover most prescription drugs you pick up at a pharmacy, so Part D fills that gap. You can get it as a stand-alone plan alongside Original Medicare or a Medicare Supplement plan, or it may already be built into your Medicare Advantage plan.
Why it matters even if you don't take medication now
Most people are better off enrolling in a Part D plan as soon as they're eligible, even with no current prescriptions. If you go 63 days or more without creditable drug coverage and enroll later, you can face a late enrollment penalty added to your premium for as long as you have Part D. Health needs can also change quickly, so having coverage in place before you need it matters.
Why the "right" plan is personal
Every Part D plan has its own list of covered drugs, called a formulary, organized into cost tiers, and its own network of preferred pharmacies. Two plans with similar premiums can cost very different amounts depending on the specific medications you take and where you fill them. This is the single biggest reason a generic "best plan" doesn't exist, the best plan is the one matched to your actual medication list.
What Arlyne checks for you
- Whether each of your medications is covered, and at what tier
- Whether your preferred pharmacy is in the plan's network
- The total yearly cost, not just the monthly premium
- Whether a lower-cost plan makes sense for the coming year
Part D plans and their drug lists can change every year, even if you don't do anything on your end. Arlyne recommends a quick annual review during the fall enrollment period to make sure your plan still fits.
Not sure which Part D plan covers your medications?
Bring your medication list, and Arlyne will compare real plan costs for you, free of charge.