This guide contains:

Background on Medicare Part D
How to tell if you're eligible for Medicare Part D
How to find Medicare Part D

Medicare's revised prescription drug coverage can be complicated, and this short guide was created to help you understand the basics of Medicare Part D benefits and to help you determine your eligibility to the Medicare prescription drug coverage plan. All of the information in this short guide has been taken directly from the official Medicare site and has been consolidated so that it is easier to understand.

Background on Medicare Part D
The Medicare Part D prescription drug program is insurance that covers both brand name and generic prescription drugs at participating pharmacies in your area. Medicare prescription drug coverage is insurance that will typically pay for about half of your drug costs. Insurance companies and other private companies work with Medicare to offer these plans, and you have your choice of dozens of plans to choose from. You must choose a plan to get this coverage, and you pay a monthly premium to be in the plan. Everyone with Medicare can choose to enroll in this voluntary drug coverage regardless of their income, health, or how they pay for prescription drugs today. If you have limited income and resources, you may get this coverage for little or no cost. [Almost 1 in 3 people with Medicare will qualify for extra help and Medicare will pay for almost all of their prescription drug costs.]

One important aspect of the revised prescription drug coverage is that everyone with Medicare MUST make a decision about prescription drug coverage this year. If you have not signed up when you are first eligible or by May 15, 2006, you may pay a penalty, and your next opportunity to enroll is from November 15th, 2006 through December 31st, 2006. Please not that these timeframes may be subject to change. Even if you do not use a lot of prescription drugs now, you should still consider joining. For most people, joining now means that you will pay a lower premium in the future since you may have to pay a penalty if you choose to join later.

Because people with Medicare get their care in different ways, you have choices about your Medicare drug coverage. You can join a Medicare Prescription Drug Plan or you can join a Medicare Advantage Plan or other Medicare Health Plan that offers drug coverage. Whatever plan you choose, Medicare drug coverage will help you by covering brand-name and generic drugs at pharmacies that are convenient for you. And if you already have good drug coverage from your former employer or union, Medicare can help your employer or union pay for it to keep it secure.

How to find Medicare Part D prescription drug coverage
Your decision about Medicare prescription drug coverage depends on the kind of