{"id":49691,"date":"2022-03-22T22:27:20","date_gmt":"2022-03-23T02:27:20","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.singlecare.com\/blog\/?p=49691"},"modified":"2026-01-15T15:46:58","modified_gmt":"2026-01-15T20:46:58","slug":"does-medicare-cover-prescriptions","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.singlecare.com\/blog\/does-medicare-cover-prescriptions\/","title":{"rendered":"Does Medicare cover prescriptions?"},"content":{"rendered":"

When looking into <\/span>Medicare<\/span><\/a> health insurance plans, it\u2019s important to understand your options to ensure that you are getting the proper coverage for your specific healthcare needs. For many, the cost of prescription drugs can be a large portion of their healthcare spending, making it crucial that they have prescription drug coverage.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cAs people age, prescriptions become much more commonplace,\u201d says <\/span>Alex Kronk<\/span><\/a>, MHA, the creator of <\/span>The Health Plan Critic<\/span><\/a>. \u201cMany chronic conditions begin to surface in those [older than] 65 years of age. Some common examples are blood thinners for those at risk of pulmonary embolism or AFib, rheumatoid arthritis, and congestive heart failure. Prescription drugs can be extremely expensive, and you will not want to go without some sort of coverage.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

To get Medicare coverage for prescription drugs, you\u2019ll either need to enroll in a Medicare Part D or a Medicare Part C plan with prescription drug coverage.<\/span><\/p>\n

Does Medicare cover prescriptions?<\/span><\/h2>\n

Prescription drug coverage through Medicare is optional. People with Medicaid or people formerly enrolled in State Pharmaceutical Assistance Programs (SPAPs) are automatically enrolled into Part D plans when they age into Medicare. Others must sign up specifically for a prescription drug plan.<\/span><\/p>\n

Medicare Part A (hospital insurance) covers inpatient hospital stays and skilled nursing facilities. Medicare Part B (medical insurance) covers outpatient care, including doctors\u2019 services and tests. Together, Medicare Part A and Part B are known as Original Medicare and are funded by the federal government. This is one way to receive Medicare.<\/span><\/p>\n

Another way to receive Medicare is through Medicare Part C (Medicare Advantage), which offers Medicare Part A, Part B, and often Part D through Medicare-approved private insurance companies.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Medicare Part D<\/span><\/a> (drug coverage) is also administered by private companies to provide prescription drug benefits. \u201cPart D plans are sold separately from Parts A and B (considered traditional Medicare). Many Part C (or Medicare Advantage plans) also contain drug coverage at no additional cost,\u201d says Kronk.<\/span><\/p>\n

Although other parts of Medicare may cover the cost of certain drugs under limited circumstances, the purpose of Medicare Part D is to help lower the prescription drug costs you take regularly at home, which are not covered by Original Medicare.<\/span><\/p>\n

RELATED: <\/b>Understanding Medicare Part D plans<\/b><\/a><\/p>\n

Which prescriptions are covered by Medicare?<\/span><\/h2>\n

Part A drug coverage<\/span><\/h3>\n

Medicare Part A will only cover drugs administered in an inpatient setting, such as receiving a prescription drug during a hospital stay. If you are prescribed a medication to take at home after being discharged from the hospital, Part A will not cover the costs of that medication.<\/span><\/p>\n

Part B drug coverage<\/span><\/h3>\n

While most drugs that Medicare Part B covers are those administered by a healthcare provider in a doctor\u2019s office, it does cover <\/span>some<\/span><\/i> outpatient prescription drugs. Examples of <\/span>prescriptions covered by Part B<\/span><\/a> in some circumstances include:<\/span><\/p>\n