Medicare coverage
No, you are not required to get a Medicare Part D plan. These Medicare plans for prescription coverage help pay for medications you need. It's optional and offered to everyone with Medicare.
However, even if you don’t take prescription medications now, you may want to consider getting Medicare prescription coverage. If you choose not to get it when you’re first eligible, and if you don’t have other prescription coverage (like from an employer or union), you may have to pay a late enrollment penalty if you join a plan later.
The Medicare Prescription Payment Plan helps to manage your costs, by spreading them over multiple months. However, it doesn’t lower your costs. If you have limited income and resources, find out if you’re eligible for one of these programs:
- Extra Help: A Medicare program that helps pay your Medicare drug costs. Visit ssa.gov/medicare/part-d-extra-help to find out if you qualify and apply. You can also apply with your State Medical Assistance (Medicaid) office. Visit Medicare.gov/ExtraHelp to learn more.
- Extra Help isn't available in Puerto Rico, the U.S. Virgin Islands, Guam, the Northern Mariana Islands or American Samoa. But there are other programs available in those areas that may help lower your costs. Call your State Medical Assistance (Medicaid) office to learn more.
- Medicare Savings Programs: State-run programs that might help pay some or all of your Medicare premiums, deductibles, copayments and coinsurance. Visit Medicare.gov/medicare-savings-programs to learn more.
- State Pharmaceutical Assistance Programs (SPAPs): Programs that may include coverage for your Medicare drug plan premiums and/or cost sharing. SPAP contributions may count toward your Medicare drug coverage out-of-pocket limit. Visit go.medicare.gov/spap to learn more.
- Manufacturer’s Pharmaceutical Assistance Programs (sometimes called Patient Assistance Programs (PAPs)): Programs from drug manufacturers to help lower drug costs for people with Medicare. Visit go.medicare.gov/pap to learn more.
Many people qualify for savings and don’t realize it. Visit Medicare.gov/basics/costs/help, or contact your local Social Security office to learn more. Find your local Social Security office at ssa.gov/locator/.
Read about your Medicare prescription coverage rights.
If you can’t find the answer to your question.