Start by entering your medications. This can help you find plans that cover your prescriptions and gives you a better idea of how much you’ll pay out of pocket.
What’s Medicare Part D?
Also called a Prescription Drug Plan, or PDP, it’s a stand-alone plan from a private insurer that helps cover the cost of medications.
You can get it as soon as you’re eligible for Medicare.
What to know before you shop for a PDP
To make it easier to sign up for a PDP, we recommend creating or updating your drug list. This will help you sort through the plans to find the one that can best meet your needs.
What to know before enrolling in a PDP
Before you enroll for Medicare Part D, it's important to know the difference between a stand-alone PDP and a Medicare Advantage Prescription Drug (MAPD) plan.
- A stand-alone PDP works with Original Medicare, which includes Part A and Part B.
- An MAPD plan combines the benefits of Medicare Part A, Part B and Part D into one plan.
Already have a Medicare Advantage plan?
Medicare only lets you have one type of drug plan at a time. If you already have a Medicare Advantage plan, you typically don't need to enroll in a separate PDP. Signing up for a PDP could cancel your current Medicare Advantage coverage.
How to enroll in a Medicare Prescription Drug Plan (Part D)
How to enroll in a Medicare Prescription Drug Plan
Video Duration: 2 minutes 58 seconds
Welcome. In this video, we'll show you how to enroll in a Medicare Prescription Drug Plan using our online portal.
Let's get started.
If you're an existing USAA member, for the best experience, visit USAA.com forward slash drug list and login using your USAA online ID and password.
Otherwise, go to usaa.com/pdp.
Click Shop Plans and click Continue.
In the enrollment portal, you'll enter your zip code. Then click Start.
Adding medications: Elapsed time 0 minutes 34 seconds [00:34]
Next, add your prescription drugs. This helps estimate your total costs and shows your medication prices while you shop for a part D plan.
Need help entering in your prescription drugs? Visit usaa.com/drug list video for step-by-step instructions.
Scroll down to view available Part D plans.
You can sort or filter by plan premium, total estimated cost, insurance carrier or pharmacy deductible.
Use the checkboxes or dropdown options to compare plans.
You can expand each plan card to reveal more details.
When you've chosen a plan, click Add to Cart.
Then go to your cart and click Continue to apply.
You'll also see an option to add a Medicare supplement plan if needed.
Enrolling in a plan: Elapsed time 1 minute 28 seconds [1:28]
There are six steps to complete your application.
First, start by entering your personal information.
Then click Continue.
Fill out the eligibility page. Enter your Medicare number without dashes and other details from your card.
Then continue.
Complete the additional required questions and click Continue when ready.
Next, select your premium payment option and continue.
Review the displayed statement of Understanding disclosures.
Scroll down to locate the Privacy Act statement.
Check the box to verify you viewed the information. Identify your relationship to the enrollee and click Continue.
Finally, review all your information. If everything looks correct, click Submit to complete your application.
Review the confirmation page which includes your confirmation number and other important information. You will receive an email confirming your application was submitted.
The PDP carrier will provide you with confirmation of enrollment and plan documents.
And that's it! You've successfully submitted a Medicare Prescription drug plan application through USAA.
Thanks for watching.
We do not offer every plan available in your area. Please contact Medicare.gov, 1-800-Medicare, or your local State Health Insurance Program (SHIP) to get information on all of your options.
To be eligible for Medicare Prescription Drug Plan, you must be entitled to Medicare Part A and/or be enrolled in Medicare Part B to enroll in this plan. You must also live in the plan's service area, and continue to pay your Medicare Part B premium each month, unless it is otherwise paid for under Medicaid or by another party, in addition to your Prescription Drug Plan premium.
USAA Life General Agency, (LGA) Inc. (known as USAA Health and Life Insurance Agency in CA and NY) contracts with other providers to provide Medicare Prescription Drug and Medicare Advantage plans to USAA members. LGA representatives are salaried and receive no commissions, though LGA receives compensation. Other providers are financially responsible for their products and are not affiliates of USAA, and no USAA company is financially responsible for these products. USAA Life General Agency is not connected with or endorsed by the U.S. government or the federal Medicare program.
The trademarks, logos and names of other companies, products and services are the property of their respective owners.
End: Elapsed time 2 minutes 58 seconds [2:58]
How to shop for a PDP online
Before you look at plans, be sure to add your details. This helps you find the right plan for your needs.
Steps to complete How to shop for a PDP online
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Add your prescriptions
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Add your pharmacies
Next, add your preferred pharmacies. Since prices can vary by pharmacy, adding more than one can help you compare costs for each location.
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Review plan options
Once you’ve added your prescriptions and pharmacies, go to the “Prescription Drug Plans” tab. Here, you’ll be able to review the various plans, details and costs.
Prescription Drug Plan FAQ
Not necessarily. You can delay getting a Medicare PDP without being subject to a Medicare D penalty during the time you have drug coverage through the U.S. Department of VA or TRICARE.
A PDP is a standalone plan that only covers prescription drugs for Original Medicare. You’ll need to pay a separate premium for a PDP.
A Medicare Advantage plan with drug coverage, or MAPD, is different. It’s an all-in-one plan that includes Part A, Part B and Part D coverage. These plans replace Original Medicare and may offer benefits like vision or dental. MAPD plans often have provider networks, while PDPs usually let you fill prescriptions at a wide range of pharmacies.
You're responsible for paying your monthly premium, deductible and copays.
- Your premium is the monthly fee for plan coverage.
- A deductible is how much you must pay yearly for medications before a plan begins to pay its share.
- A copay is the amount of the drug's cost that you're responsible for after your deductible is met. Copays vary based on medication.
We only offer PDP enrollment online, so you’ll need to buy it through our website.
Review the basics of a Medicare Prescription Drug Plan.
Use our guide to explore the basics of a Medicare Prescription Drug Plan (Part D). We’ll go over things like enrollment and how to choose the right plan for your needs.