Medicare drug coverage (Part D) helps pay for prescription drugs you need. Even if you don’t take prescription drugs now, you should consider getting Medicare drug coverage. Medicare drug coverage is optional and is offered to everyone with Medicare. If you decide not to get it when you’re first eligible, and you don’t have other creditable prescription drug coverage (like drug coverage from an employer or union) or get Extra Help, you’ll likely pay a late enrollment penalty if you join the plan later. Generally, you’ll pay this penalty for as long as you have Medicare drug coverage.

To get Medicare drug coverage, you must join a Medicare-approved plan that offers drug coverage. Each plan can vary in cost and specific drugs covered.

There are 2 ways to get Medicare drug coverage (Part D):

1.  Medicare drug plans.
   
   These plans add Medicare drug coverage (Part D) to Original Medicare, some Medicare Cost Plans, some Private Fee-for-Service plans, and Medical Savings Account plans. You must have Part A and / or Part B to join in a separate Medicare drug plan.
2. Medicare Advantage Plans or other Medicare health plans with drug coverage. 
   
   You get your Part A, Part B, and Medicare drug coverage (Part D) through these plans. Remember, you must have Part A and Part B to join a Medicare Advantage Plan, and not all of these plans offer drug coverage. 

In either case, you must live in the service area of the plan you want to join and be lawfully present in the U.S.