Do I need a Part D prescription drug plan?

If you take prescriptions, or you simply want to avoid a permanent late penalty down the road, Part D coverage is usually worth having even if you don't take much right now. Original Medicare (Parts A and B) doesn't cover most of the medications you pick up at a pharmacy, so you get that coverage either through a standalone Part D plan alongside Original Medicare, or built into most Medicare Advantage plans. It matters even when you're healthy for two reasons. The first is that your needs can change fast, and a new prescription mid-year can get expensive without coverage. The second is the late-enrollment penalty. If you go more than about two months without creditable drug coverage after you're first eligible, Medicare can add a charge to your premium for as long as you have Part D, and it doesn't go away. There is some good news on costs. Starting in 2026, Part D has an annual out-of-pocket cap of $2,100, so once your covered drug spending reaches that amount your plan pays the rest for the year. You can confirm the current figure at Medicare.gov. If you already have other creditable coverage, say through an employer or the VA, you may not need a separate Part D plan, so it's worth checking before you enroll. A licensed agent can compare plans against your actual medication list, and there's no cost to you for that.

— Matt Rolph, Los Angeles, CAVerified