Donald C. Reutemann CFP®, RPA, AIF®

(518) 612-1054

Insurance Read Time: 2 min

Prescription Drug Benefits Under Medicare (Part D)

Medicare’s prescription drug benefit (Part D) is the part of Medicare that provides outpatient drug coverage. Part D is provided only through private insurance companies that have contracts with the federal government—it is never provided directly by the government (unlike Original Medicare).

If you want to get Part D coverage, you have to choose and enroll in a private Medicare prescription drug plan (PDP) or a Medicare Advantage Plan with drug coverage (MAPD). Enrollment is optional (though recommended to avoid incurring future penalties) and only allowed during approved enrollment periods. Typically, you should sign up for Part D when you first become eligible to enroll in Medicare.

Whether you should sign up for a Medicare Part D plan depends on your circumstances. You may have creditable drug coverage from employer or retiree insurance. If so, you don’t need to enroll in a PDP until you lose this coverage. Also, some people already enrolled in certain low-income assistance programs may be automatically enrolled in a Medicare drug plan and receive additional financial assistance paying for their medicines.

© Medicare Rights Center. Used with permission.

The content is developed from sources believed to be providing accurate information. The information in this material is not intended as tax or legal advice. It may not be used for the purpose of avoiding any federal tax penalties. Please consult legal or tax professionals for specific information regarding your individual situation. This material was developed and produced by FMG Suite to provide information on a topic that may be of interest. FMG, LLC, is not affiliated with the named broker-dealer, state- or SEC-registered investment advisory firm. The opinions expressed and material provided are for general information, and should not be considered a solicitation for the purchase or sale of any security. Copyright FMG Suite.

 

Related Content

New Retirement Contribution Limits for 2024

New Retirement Contribution Limits for 2024

A look at the new, record-high retirement contribution limits from the IRS.

A Bucket Plan to Go with Your Bucket List

A Bucket Plan to Go with Your Bucket List

A bucket plan can help you be better prepared for a comfortable retirement.

Understanding Equity Compensation

Understanding Equity Compensation

Net Unrealized Appreciation and how it affects tax responsibilities.

 

Have A Question About This Topic?







Thank you! Oops!

Why Regular Rebalancing Makes Sense

Without your knowing, your investment portfolio could be off-kilter.

How Retirement Spending Changes With Time

It can be difficult for clients to imagine how much they’ll spend in retirement. This short, insightful article is useful.

SECURE Act 2.0: An Overview

The second iteration of the SECURE Act brings forward several changes to the world of retirement.

View all articles

A Look at Systematic Withdrawals

This calculator may help you estimate how long funds may last given regular withdrawals.

Social Security Taxes

Estimate how much of your Social Security benefit may be considered taxable.

Bi-Weekly Payments

This calculator estimates the savings from paying a mortgage bi-weekly instead of monthly.

View all calculators

Principles of Preserving Wealth

How federal estate taxes work, plus estate management documents and tactics.

Managing Your Lifestyle

Using smart management to get more of what you want and free up assets to invest.

Investment Strategies for Retirement

Investment tools and strategies that can enable you to pursue your retirement goals.

View all presentations

The Cycle of Investing

Understanding the cycle of investing may help you avoid easy pitfalls.

Safeguard Your Digital Estate

If you died, what would happen to your email archives, social profiles and online accounts?

Consider These 3 Things Before Driving Off the Lot

There are a few things to consider when buying or leasing your next vehicle.

View all videos