Does Medicare Supplement Insurance Cover Prescriptions?

While Medicare Supplement Insurance (Medigap) plans do not provide prescription drug coverage, you may be able to get prescription drug coverage through a Medicare Part D prescription drug plan.

You can have a Part D plan and a Medigap plan at the same time.

Compare Part D plans available where you live and enroll in a Medicare prescription drug plan online when you visit MyRxPlans.com.

Getting Prescription Coverage

If you are enrolled in Original Medicare and Medigap, you can get prescription drug coverage in two ways.

1. You can enroll in a Medicare Part D plan

2. You can drop your Medigap policy and enroll in a Medicare Advantage plan that includes prescription drug coverage.

You cannot be enrolled in a Medicare Advantage policy and a Medicare Supplement insurance policy at the same time.

Prescription Coverage in Older Medigap Plans

As of 2006, insurance companies cannot sell Medigap plans with prescription drug coverage. However, some plans that were sold before 2006 may still cover some prescription drug costs, if you already are enrolled in one of these plans.

The older Medigap plan options with prescription drug benefits are:

• Medigap Plan H
• Medigap Plan I
• Medigap Plan J

You cannot be enrolled in any of the Medigap plans listed above and a Medicare Part D plan at the same time.

If you are enrolled in one of these Medigap plans and want to enroll in a Medicare Part D plan, your insurance company must remove the prescription drug coverage from the plan, which will likely change your monthly premiums. For more information about this option, please contact your Medicare Supplement insurance provider.

Learn more about common procedures that Medicare covers.

Find the Best Medigap Plan and a Part D Prescription Drug Plan for Your Needs

Call today to speak with a licensed agent and to find Medicare coverage options that work for you. 

 Christian Worstell is a health care and policy writer for MedicareSupplement.com. He has written hundreds of articles helping people better understand their Medicare coverage options.