Can you have Medicare Part D without Part B?

Asked by: Leola Kassulke  |  Last update: December 16, 2023
Score: 4.1/5 (36 votes)

You must be enrolled in Medicare Part A and/or Part B to enroll in Part D. Medicare drug coverage is only available through private plans. If you have Medicare Part A and/or Part B and you do not have other drug coverage (creditable coverage), you should enroll in a Part D plan.

Can I get Medicare Part D alone?

There are 2 different ways you can get prescription drug coverage. You could enroll in a stand-alone Medicare Part D plan , or you could get drug coverage as part of a Medicare Advantage plan . There are also a few different ways you can enroll: Use Medicare's plan finder tool to enroll online.

What is the difference between Part B and Part D drug coverage?

In general, Medicare Part B covers medical care while Medicare Part D covers most prescription drugs. However, there are times when you will need to use your Part B medical coverage for certain types of prescriptions and pharmacy-related items.

How do I add Part D to an existing Medicare plan?

Part D enrollment

To enroll in a Part D plan, you can do any of the following: Call 1-800-MEDICARE. Counselors are available to guide you through your options and enroll you in a plan. It is a good idea to enroll through 1-800-MEDICARE to avoid administrative errors.

Does Medicare Part D include A and B?

Part D is the outpatient prescription drug benefit for anyone with Medicare. You must have either Part A or Part B to be eligible for Part D. Part D is only available through private companies. Part B is the Medicare outpatient benefit.

Can you have Medicare Part D without Part B?

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What Medicare Part D does not cover?

There are many drugs that no Medicare plans will cover under the Part D benefit, based on national Medicare guidelines. Drugs for anorexia, weight loss, or weight gain (i.e., Xenical®, Meridia, phentermine HCl, etc.) Drugs that promote fertility (i.e., Clomid, Gonal-f, Ovidrel®, Follistim®, etc.)

Does Part D penalty go away when you turn 65?

If you are enrolled in Medicare because of a disability and currently pay a premium penalty, once you turn 65 you will no longer have to pay the penalty. How do you calculate your premium penalty? Let's say you delayed enrollment in Part D for seven months (and you do not meet any of the exceptions listed above).

Do I need Medicare Part D if I have an Advantage plan?

Most Medicare Advantage Plans include Medicare drug coverage (Part D). In certain types of plans that don't include Medicare drug coverage (like Medical Savings Account Plans and some Private Fee-for-Service Plans), you can join a separate Medicare drug plan.

Is Part D included in a Medicare supplement plan?

Medicare supplement plans don't include prescription drug coverage. You'll need a separate Medicare Part D prescription drug plan if you: Have a plan purchased after 2006. Are shopping for a plan now.

How much is Medicare Part D 2023?

The estimated average monthly premium for Medicare Part D stand-alone drug plans is projected to be $43 in 2023, based on current enrollment, a 10% increase from $39 in 2022 – a rate of increase that outpaces both the current annual inflation rate and the Social Security cost-of-living adjustment for 2023.

Is Part D an advantage plan?

Medicare Part D is a supplement to Original Medicare and covers prescription drugs only. Medicare Advantage (MA), on the other hand, replaces original Medicare and becomes your hospital and medical insurance plan. In addition, MA plans often cover prescription drugs as well as dental, vision, and hearing care.

What does Part D of Medicare specifically cover?

Medicare Part D helps cover the cost of prescription drugs. Part D is optional and only provided through private insurance companies approved by the federal government. However, Part D is offered to everyone who qualifies for Medicare.

Can Medicare Part D be added later?

If you go 63 days or more in a row without Medicare drug coverage or other creditable prescription drug coverage, you may have to pay a penalty if you sign up for Medicare drug coverage later.

What is the difference between Medicare Part B and D?

Medicare Part D pays for most at-home medications, while Medicare Part B generally pays for drugs that a person receives at a doctor's office, hospital, or infusion center. Part B also pays for additional services, such as doctor's visits and some medical procedures.

How much is Medicare Part B?

Most people pay the standard Part B monthly premium amount ($164.90 in 2023). Social Security will tell you the exact amount you'll pay for Part B in 2023. You pay the standard premium amount if you: Enroll in Part B for the first time in 2023.

What happens if you don't take Part D Medicare?

Medicare calculates the penalty by multiplying 1% of the "national base beneficiary premium" ($32.74 in 2023) times the number of full, uncovered months you didn't have Part D or creditable coverage. The monthly premium is rounded to the nearest $.10 and added to your monthly Part D premium.

How do you qualify to get $144 back from Medicare?

To qualify for the giveback, you must:
  1. Be enrolled in Medicare Parts A and B.
  2. Pay your own premiums (if a state or local program is covering your premiums, you're not eligible).
  3. Live in a service area of a plan that offers a Part B giveback.

Is GoodRX better than Part D?

GoodRX is not a replacement for your Part D drug plan but it can be a useful tool to help save money on your medication costs. Although there is no guarantee you will save money there is simply no harm in trying since it is a free service!

Do Medicare Part D premiums increase with age?

Premiums for these types of policies do not increase with age. If you opt for an Attained-Age Rated policy, your premium will be based on the age you have attained.

How do I get rid of Medicare Part B penalty?

If you do not have an appeal form, you can use SSA's request for reconsideration form. You can appeal to remove the penalty if you think you were continuously covered by Part B or job-based insurance. You can also appeal to lower the penalty amount if you think it was calculated incorrectly.

What is the catastrophic coverage for Part D in 2023?

In 2023, the catastrophic threshold is set at $7,400, and enrollees themselves will pay about $3,100 out of pocket before reaching the catastrophic phase (this estimate is based on using brand drugs only).

Can Medicare Part D be changed anytime?

Your Medicare Annual Enrollment Period (AEP) , sometimes called the Fall Open Enrollment Period, runs from Oct. 15 to Dec. 7 each year. During this time, you may make changes to your Part D plan or switch to a new one.

Which is better Part C or D?

The main difference between Medicare Part C and Medicare Part D is that Part D plans add prescription drug coverage to Original Medicare. In contrast, Part C plans, or Medicare Advantage plans, provide your health and prescription drug coverage as an alternative to Original Medicare.