What is Medicare Prescription Drug Coverage?

There are two ways to get Medicare prescription drug coverage: Join a Medicare Prescription Drug Plan (Part D) that adds drug coverage to the Original Medicare Plan, some Medicare Cost Plans, some Medicare Private Fee-for-Service (PFFS) Plans, and Medicare Medical Savings Accounts. Join a Medicare plan (like an HMO or PPO) that includes prescription drug coverage as part of the plan. You get all of your Medicare coverage through these plans, including prescription drugs. Both types of plans are called Medicare drug plans in this section. Medicare offers help to employers and unions to help pay for prescription drug coverage. If you have employer or union drug coverage, see Employer or Union Health Coverage. Joining a Part D plan could end the retiree health benefits you and your family get. Talk to your benefits administrator. (Primary Source: Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services - Medicare and You Handbook 2007. This content may have been added upon by Q1Group LLC to include further examples, explanations, and links.)