Medicare Part D offers optional stand-alone prescription drug plans (PDP) to eligible Medicare participants. Each Medicare Part D plan provider determines the prescription drugs that are covered by the plan, the cost of the Part D premium, the amount of a participant’s co-pay and/or deductible, coverage limitations and the out-of-pocket cost of a drug to the participant.
Stand-alone PDPs are offered on a strictly optional basis. There is no requirement that a participant carry Part D coverage, however, Medicare Part D coverage is restricted to participants who:
- have Medicare Part A and/or Part B coverage
- have a Medicare Part C plan that includes both Medicare Part A and Part B coverage
Eligible participants may not elect to carry only Medicare Part D coverage. If a participant has Medicare Part A and/or Medicare Part B, s/he may choose a stand-alone prescription drug plan provider. Medicare Part C plan participants must work with their plan provider to acquire prescription drug coverage; they do not purchase stand-alone prescription drug plans.