Which statement correctly compares a stand-alone Prescription Drug Plan (PDP) with a Medicare Advantage Prescription Drug plan (MAPD)?
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Answer & full 3-part explanation (select an option above, or peek)
Why A is correct
A stand-alone Prescription Drug Plan (PDP) covers only outpatient prescription drugs and is paired with Original Medicare (Part A and B), which continues to cover medical services. A Medicare Advantage Prescription Drug plan (MAPD) is a Medicare Advantage plan that bundles medical and Part D drug coverage in a single policy, replacing Original Medicare. Both are subject to the Part D late-enrollment penalty for beneficiaries who lack creditable coverage, and both are voluntary products. The delivery-format distinction — supplementing versus replacing Original Medicare — is a standard Part D structure question in the senior health products outline.
Why the other options are wrong
- B) A PDP supplements Original Medicare for drugs; it does not replace Part A and B coverage.
- C) An MAPD replaces Original Medicare as the member's coverage; it is not an add-on to it.
- D) The Part D late-enrollment penalty applies to both PDPs and MAPDs.
Memory hook
PDP rides alongside Original Medicare; MAPD packs drugs inside Advantage.