If you have Medicare, you are eligible for Medicare prescription drug coverage, sometimes called Part D benefits. You must enroll in a Prescription Drug Plan, or PDP, in order to receive this coverage. The type of prescription drugs and amount of coverage under your Part D benefits depends on the PDP that you choose. All PDPs are approved by Medicare, but the PDPs are administered by private insurers. In order to help Medicare beneficiaries better understand Part D benefits, the Medicare website has a PDP finder that can be used to compare different plans. You can also enroll in a PDP through the website.
Step 1
Go to the official government Medicare website and find the web page for information on Part D benefits, Medicare Prescription Drug Coverage. Among the information on this web page, you will find a link to the Medicare Prescription Drug Plan Finder. Use this link once you are ready to find and compare PDPs in your area.
Step 2
Go to the web page for the Medicare Prescription Drug Plan Finder and find the button for "Find & Compare Plans." After clicking the button, you will have two search options. The first option allows you to personalize the search by entering your identifying information found on your Medicare card. The second option allow you to perform a generalized search that does not require your Medicare information.
Step 3
Choose a search option on the Find and Compare Plans page. You will have to enter your zip code and general information regarding your age range, health and current medical insurance. You can personalize the information by indicating the type of prescription drugs you are currently taking. After providing the necessary information, you will be provided a list of PDPs available in your area. If you have difficulty with the website PDP finder, you can receive personalized counseling about PDPs in your area by calling 1-800-MEDICARE, or 1-800-633-4227.
Tips and Warnings
- If you are unable to afford the premium for a PDP, you should contact the Social Security Administration to find out if you qualify for extra help paying for your PDP costs.
- Although choosing a Medicare prescription drug plan is an option, not a requirement, you may pay higher premiums if you delay in enrolling. If you did not join a plan by May 15, 2006 even though you were eligible, you may have to pay at least 1 percent more than the national average premium for every month you wait. The only exception is if you have a drug plan that provides the same coverage as a Medicare prescription drug plan.
