Medicare and Drug Coverage
Tips to prevent fraud
- Protect your Medicare Number and your Social Security Number.
- Use a calendar to record all of your doctor’s appointments and any tests you get.
- Learn more about Medicare and recent scams.
- Know what a Medicare plan can and can’t do before you join.

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How to get drug coverage
Medicare offers prescription drug coverage to everyone with Medicare. If you decide not to join a Medicare Prescription Drug Plan when you’re first eligible, and you don’t have other creditable prescription drug coverage, or you don’t get Extra Help, you’ll likely pay a late enrollment penalty.
To get Medicare drug coverage, you must join a plan run by an insurance company or other private company approved by Medicare. Each plan can vary in cost and drugs covered.
Two ways to get drug coverage
- Medicare Prescription Drug Plan (Part D). These plans (sometimes called “PDPs”) add drug coverage to Original Medicare, some Medicare Cost Plans, some Medicare Private Fee-for-Service (PFFS) Plans, and Medicare Medical Savings Account (MSA) Plans.
- Medicare Advantage Plan (Part C) (like an HMO or PPO) or otherMedicare health plan that offers Medicare prescription drug coverage. You get all of your Medicare Part A (Hospital Insurance)and Medicare Part B (Medical Insurance) coverage, and prescription drug coverage (Part D), through these plans. Medicare Advantage Plans with prescription drug coverage are sometimes called “MA-PDs.” You must have Part A and Part B to join a Medicare Advantage Plan.
How to join a drug plan
Once you choose a Medicare drug plan, here’s how you may be able to join:
Enroll on the Medicare Plan Finder or on the plan’s website.
Complete a paper enrollment form.
Call the plan.
Call 1-800-MEDICARE (1-800-633-4227).
When you join a Medicare drug plan, you’ll give your Medicare number and the date your Part A and/or Part B coverage started. This information is on your Medicare card.