Real answers for your healthcare questions
Does Medicare cover prescription drugs?
Answer
Yes, but prescription drug coverage is generally provided through Medicare Part D rather than automatically through Original Medicare. You can get Part D from a stand alone drug plan or through many Medicare Advantage plans that include drug coverage.
What to Know
Each Part D plan has its own formulary, which is the list of covered drugs, and may place medications on different cost tiers. Plans can also use preferred pharmacies, prior authorization, quantity limits, or step therapy. A plan that works well for one person's medications may not be the best fit for another person's prescriptions.
What to Do Next
List the medications you take, including dosage and pharmacy preference, and compare those against available plans each year. Drug formularies and costs can change, so review your coverage during the appropriate Medicare enrollment period.
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