Although Original Medicare will cover healthcare services like hospital treatment and medical care, it does not include coverage for prescription medications. If you need a policy to help pay for your prescription drugs, you will need to purchase Part D coverage.
Medicare Part D is a drug coverage option that is serviced by insurance providers that contract with Medicare to provide you with benefits. Through Part D, you can have some or all of the costs of some prescription medications covered.
Medicare Part D policies provide coverage for a select list of prescription drugs, this list is called the formulary. The formulary you have access to will vary based on your plan, but all Part D policies must provide access to at least two drugs in the most commonly prescribed categories and classes. In this way, Medicare ensures that regardless of the Part D plan you choose, you will have access to the drugs you need.
Although the formulary may not include the specific drug you are accustomed to using, a similar drug should be available. Suppose none of the listed drugs suit your medical needs. In that case, you may ask your insurance provider for an exception, wherein they will adjust your policy to accommodate an alternative drug.
If your prescription drug plan makes changes to their list of offered drugs, affecting one of the drugs you are taking, they must do one of the following:
To enroll in a Part D policy, you must have already enrolled in either Part A or Part B of Original Medicare. You must also live within the service area of your desired prescription drug plan.
Once you decide to enroll, you can apply directly through the insurance company offering the plan you wish to enroll in. A licensed insurance agent can also guide you through this process.
You can only enroll in Part D policies during certain periods. They are as follows:
If you choose to enroll outside of any of these periods, you may be subject to a late enrollment penalty resulting in higher premiums for your Part D policy.
Proinsurance Hawaii will help you determine whether a Part D plan is right for you. Contact us now for more details.
Health Insurance Agency in Honolulu, Hawaii serving employers across Oahu and all Hawaiian Islands.
© 2026 All Rights Reserved.
We are not connected with or endorsed by the United States government or the federal Medicare program.
