How does Medicare prescription drug coverage work?

Medicare prescription drug coverage is an optional benefit. Medicare drug coverage is offered to everyone with Medicare. Even if you don’t use prescription drugs now, you should consider joining a Medicare drug plan. If you decide not to in a Medicare drug plan when you’re first eligible, and you don’t have other creditable prescription drug coverage you’ll likely pay a late enrollment penalty if you join a plan later. Generally, you’ll pay this penalty for as long as you have Medicare prescription drug coverage. Each plan can vary in cost and specific drugs covered.