Medicare prescription drug plans are offered by private health insurance companies like Blue Cross and Blue Shield and cover your prescription drug costs for covered medications.
You can choose to receive this coverage in addition to:
Part D coverage is generally included in most Medicare Advantage (Part C) plans.
For more than 90 years, Blue Cross and Blue Shield companies have been putting members first, which is why most doctors trust us for Medicare coverage. Explore what Blue Cross and Blue Shield companies have to offer by entering your ZIP Code to find Medicare coverage that fits your needs.
Most Part D plans require a monthly premium.
DeductibleSome plans have deductibles.
Many Part D plans require that you pay a fixed copayment each time you fill out a prescription.
CoinsuranceSome Part D plans require that you pay a percentage (coinsurance) of a medication's cost every time you fill a prescription.
Coverage GapAlthough plan designs can vary, most Medicare Part D plans have a cost sharing component commonly known as a coverage gap or “donut hole.” The coverage gap is a temporary limit where you are responsible for all of your drug costs until you reach the plan’s annual out-of-pocket limit. After you reach that limit, you will pay only a small share of your prescription costs for the remainder of the year.
Beginning in 2025, Medicare Part D enrollees will have the option to pay their out-of-pocket Part D prescription drug cost in monthly amounts over the course of the plan year. Part D enrollees can voluntarily opt into the program prior to or at any time during the plan year.
Most Part D plans have “formularies,” which are lists of covered prescription drugs. Part D plans also have networks of approved pharmacies in your area.
Unsure if you’re eligible? Let us help you figure out where you stand. You are generally entitled to Medicare if you meet any of the following criteria:
Learn more about Medicare enrollment and eligibility.
For more than 90 years, Blue Cross and Blue Shield companies have been putting members first, which is why most doctors trust us for Medicare coverage. Explore what Blue Cross and Blue Shield companies have to offer by entering your ZIP Code to find Medicare coverage that fits your needs.
Medicare overview information on this website was developed by the Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association to help consumers understand certain aspects about Medicare. Viewing this Medicare overview does not require you to enroll in any Blue Cross Blue Shield plans. Plans are insured and offered through separate Blue Cross and Blue Shield companies. Medicare Advantage and Prescription Drug Plans are offered by a Medicare Advantage organization and/or Part D plan sponsor with a Medicare contract. Enrollment in these plans depends on the plan’s contract renewal with Medicare. To find out about premiums and terms for these and other insurance options, how to apply for coverage, and for much more information, reach out to your local BCBS company. Each Blue Cross and Blue Shield company is responsible for the information it provides. For more information about Medicare, including a complete list of plans available in your area, please contact the Medicare program at 1.800.MEDICARE (TTY users should call 1.877.486.2048) or visit www.medicare.gov.
Medicare has neither reviewed nor endorsed this information.