subject: Medicare Part D - What Does It Cover? [print this page] Medicare Part D is an insurance plan specifically designed for prescription drug coverage. It became available on January 1, 2006. It is available to those who meet special requirements. The purpose of this Medicare plan is to help with prescription drug costs. Prescriptions are expensive, especially for those with disabilities or those over 65. Even if you purchase generic medications, the frequency of your purchases can really add up. This part of the Medicare plan was made to help deter some of the out-of-pocket costs for prescription drugs. You will pay a monthly premium, in addition to a part of the total costs for your drugs. This plan is voluntary. You are guaranteed coverage if you enroll in it.
If you are enrolled in Medicare Part A, B or both, then you qualify for Medicare Part D. It is illegal for you to be denied enrollment in this plan because of health issues, pre-existing or otherwise. People with Medicaid, or who are dual enrolled in both Medicaid and Medicare, can also enroll in Part D. If you have another insurance plan for prescription costs, you may have to cancel that plan in order to enroll in Part D. This only applies if your insurance plan is equal to or better than Part D. You should think carefully before canceling any insurance plans in order to enroll in Part D. You may not be able to enroll again after you cancel.
Not all pharmacies will fill your prescriptions. You should check around and find out which pharmacies will accept Part D before enrolling in it. It is also possible to order your drugs through the mail with this plan. However, not all plans support mail order drugs. There are also certain drugs that the program won't pay for. These drugs include, but aren't limited to fertility drugs, drugs for weight loss, erectile dysfunction, hair loss, and certain types of vitamins or vitamin products.
If you meet certain financial requirements, you may qualify to help pay for part of, if not all of the premium costs for this program. For those who are at a certain percentage below the poverty level, Medicare Part D can be paid for by the government to make your prescription drug coverage more affordable. This program has helped touch a lot of consumers. The percentage of people who skipped out on paying for prescription drugs in order to pay for other necessities has dropped significantly since the introduction of this program.
