Can I go without Medicare Part D?
Asked by: Madisyn Murray | Last update: October 4, 2025Score: 4.3/5 (18 votes)
What happens if you don't get Medicare Part D?
Part D late enrollment penalty
You'll pay an extra 1% for each month you could have signed up for Part D, but didn't, and didn't have creditable drug coverage.
Is it mandatory to have Part D Medicare?
Enrolling in Medicare Part D (prescription drug coverage) is optional, but having this coverage is important for most people. If you have drug coverage through an employer, it is possible to delay enrollment in Part D without incurring penalties.
What happens if you cancel Medicare Part D?
Important for people losing Medicare drug coverage: If there's a period of 63 days or more in a row when the person with Medicare isn't enrolled in Medicare drug coverage and doesn't have other creditable prescription drug coverage, they may have to pay a monthly Part D late enrollment penalty when they join a new plan ...
Is it worth it to have Medicare Part D?
No, Medicare Part D isn't a requirement. However, many people find that enrolling in a Part D plan is worth the investment. Your health can be unpredictable, so while you may not need many (or any) prescription drugs now, you may need them in the future.
Do You Really Need Medicare Part D?
What are disadvantages of Medicare Part D?
Disadvantages of Medicare Part D Prescription Drug plans include: Need to anticipate your prescription drug needs for the year: Part D plans differ in the types of drugs they cover. Knowing your medical situation can help you select a plan that is right for you and covers the prescription drugs you expect to need.
How much does the average person pay for Medicare Part D?
The average estimated monthly Part D plan premium in 2025 is $46.50. Other factors can affect the cost of Part D including monthly premium, yearly deductible and copayments. High-income earners may pay a surcharge known as the “income-related monthly adjustment amount” (IRMAA).
How do I decline Medicare Part D?
To disenroll from a Medicare drug plan during Open Enrollment, you can do one of these: Call us at 1-800-MEDICARE. Mail or fax a signed written notice to the plan telling them you want to disenroll.
Why are people leaving Medicare Advantage plans?
Key takeaways: People leave Medicare Advantage plans because out-of-pocket costs vary between plans, network restrictions can cause frustration, prior authorization requests can delay care, and it can be difficult to use the additional benefits they provide.
Is Medicare Part D deducted from Social Security?
You can pay premiums directly to the company, set up a bank draft, or have the monthly premium deducted from your Social Security check.
Can Medicare Part D be free?
No, Medicare Part D isn't free. But in 2025, at least one $0-premium plan is available in 43 states, Washington, D.C., and Puerto Rico. Most plans do have a monthly premium. And all plans have other costs beyond premiums, such as copays, coinsurance and deductibles.
Do I need Medicare Part D if I have Federal Blue Cross?
Medicare Part D - Federal retirees and employees will likely not benefit from enrolling in Part D as they already have comprehensive drug coverage through their FEHB plan. However, retirees with limited resources may want to consider enrolling in Part D if they qualify for extra financial help under the Part D program.
What is the most popular Part D drug plan?
The best Medicare Part D provider is Aetna. It has top ratings from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services and affordable premiums. Other great providers include Wellcare and UnitedHealthcare.
Is Medicare Part D optional or mandatory?
Part D Enrollment
For most people, enrollment in Part D is voluntary. Most people need to affirmatively . select and enroll in a plan in order to have coverage. There are several Part D enrollment periods.
When did Medicare Part D become mandatory?
Part D was enacted as part of the Medicare Modernization Act of 2003 and went into effect on January 1, 2006. Under the program, drug benefits are provided by private insurance plans that receive premiums from both enrollees and the government.
Can I drop my employer health insurance and go on Medicare Part B?
Once you stop working (or lose your health insurance, if that happens first) you have an 8-month Special Enrollment Period (SEP) when you can sign up for Medicare (or add Part B to existing Part A coverage).
Why are seniors losing Medicare Advantage plans?
Medicare vs Privatized Medicare Advantage
Beneficiaries are tossed aside because they live in an unprofitable market for their insurer or because they are actually using the insurance they signed up for to access services.
Why are doctors dropping Medicare Advantage?
Health systems have cited delayed reimbursements, cumbersome prior authorization requirements and high rates of patient claim denials for their decisions to drop Medicare Advantage plans.
What happens if you can't afford a Medicare supplement plan?
If you are still finding yourself squeezed, look into a Medicare Savings Progam. There are four different programs with different asset and income criteria. These programs can help you to pay for Part A and Part B. They can also enroll you in the Extra Help program to assist with Part D costs.
Does Medicare penalize you if you don't get Part D?
Medicare calculates the penalty by multiplying 1% of the "national base beneficiary premium" ($34.70 in 2024)($36.78 in 2025) times the number of full, uncovered months you didn't have Part D or creditable coverage. The monthly penalty is rounded to the nearest $.
Why would someone not have Medicare Part D?
You may not need it if you have drug coverage from elsewhere that's “creditable” — meaning Medicare considers it to be of the same or better value than Part D. This coverage could come from an employer or union, retiree benefits, COBRA, Tricare or the Veterans Affairs health program.
What happens if I drop my Medicare Part D?
If you do not enroll in a plan and do not have creditable coverage for your drugs, you will incur a penalty of 1% of the average national premium (approx. $32.74 in 2023; this figure changes each year) for every month you were eligible and did not enroll. This amount is added on to your drug plan premium.
Is GoodRx better than Medicare Part D?
Consider using a GoodRx coupon instead of Medicare in the following situations: Your medication isn't covered by your Medicare plan. The medication costs less with a GoodRx coupon than with your Medicare copay. You don't expect to reach your annual deductible.
Does everyone pay $170 for Medicare?
If you don't get premium-free Part A, you pay up to $518 each month. If you don't buy Part A when you're first eligible for Medicare (usually when you turn 65), you might pay a penalty. Most people pay the standard Part B monthly premium amount ($185 in 2025).
What are the top 5 medicare supplement plans?
💬 From our Nerds: What are the top five Medicare supplement plans? "Based on NerdWallet's Medigap rubric, I picked five best Medicare Supplement Insurance companies for 2025: AARP/UnitedHealthcare, Mutual of Omaha, State Farm, Anthem and Blue Cross Blue Shield.