Under Medicare Part D, each drug plan's formulary must include at least:
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Answer & full 3-part explanation (select an option above, or peek)
Why A is correct
Medicare Part D plans must maintain a formulary that includes at least two drugs in each therapeutic category and class of drugs. This minimum assures beneficiaries that their medication needs have a reasonable chance of being covered, while still allowing plans to manage costs through tiering and prior authorization. Plans are not required to cover every FDA-approved drug, and they must include both brand-name and generic drugs where available so that cost-conscious options exist within each class. Plans may use tiered formularies with lower cost-sharing for generics and preferred brands, but they must also provide an exceptions and appeals process for beneficiaries whose physicians recommend a non-covered drug.
Why the other options are wrong
- B) One drug total would not satisfy the two-drugs-per-class formulary requirement and would fail to cover beneficiaries' needs.
- C) Part D plans are not required to include every FDA-approved drug; they maintain a defined formulary.
- D) Formularies include both brand-name and generic drugs; they are not limited to generics.
Memory hook
Part D formulary = at least two drugs per class. A backup option is the law, not a courtesy.