Prescription Drug Coverage
There are 4 drug coverage stages to Part D
Within Part D prescription drug coverage there are 4 coverage stages that determine how your prescription drug costs are covered:
Prescription drug coverage (Part D) has to be added to your plan
Prescription drug coverage (Part D) is offered by private insurance companies. Part D has to be added to your plan—it is not part of Original Medicare (Part A and Part B). There are two ways you can add Part D to your coverage:
Option 1: As part of a Medicare Advantage Plan (Part C) that includes prescription drug coverage (Part D)
Option 2: As a separate standalone plan that is added to Original Medicare
For many people, a Medicare Advantage plan (Part C) that includes (Part D) coverage is the right choice because it provides all of the coverage in one plan. You can only choose one of the options above when adding Part D to your coverage—not both.
You may qualify for extra help with your prescription drug costs
Extra Help is a Medicare program to help people with limited income and resources pay Medicare prescription drug costs. If you qualify:
Medicare could pay up to 75% or more of your drug costs, including monthly prescription drug premiums, annual deductibles, and coinsurance.
You will not be subject to the coverage gap or a late enrollment penalty.
Many people are eligible for these savings and don’t even know it.
To see if you qualify for extra help, call:
Tufts Health Plan Medicare Advantage Member Services 1-800-890-6600 (TTY: 711)