Medicare prescription drug coverage (Part D) may be obtained through:

Why A is correct

Part D coverage is available in two forms: a stand-alone prescription drug plan (PDP) that supplements Original Medicare, or a Medicare Advantage plan with prescription drug coverage (MA-PD) that bundles medical and drug benefits. A beneficiary with Original Medicare typically uses a PDP, while MA enrollees generally receive their drug coverage through their plan. Both satisfy the Part D requirement.

Why the other options are wrong

• B) Medigap policies do not include Part D drug coverage; standardized Medigap plans exclude prescription drugs.
• C) Part A covers hospital care, not outpatient prescription drugs.
• D) Part D is a Medicare benefit; employer coverage may be creditable, but Part D itself is not employer-exclusive.

Memory hook

Part D: pick a stand-alone PDP or an MA plan with drugs (MA-PD).

Why A is correct

Medicare Part D prescription drug coverage can be obtained in two ways: through a standalone Prescription Drug Plan (PDP) that covers only drugs and works alongside Original Medicare, or through a Medicare Advantage plan that includes drug coverage, known as an MA-PD. A beneficiary enrolling in Part D must be entitled to Part A and/or enrolled in Part B. Part D is not part of Original Medicare's Part B, is not a Medigap benefit, and is not available only through Medicaid.

Why the other options are wrong

• B) Part D is a separate voluntary drug benefit administered by private plans; it is not part of Part B's medical coverage.
• C) Medigap policies sold after 2005 are not allowed to include prescription drug coverage, so they cannot deliver Part D benefits.
• D) Part D is a Medicare benefit, not a Medicaid benefit, though dual-eligible beneficiaries may get help paying for it through Medicare.

Memory hook

Part D comes two ways: standalone PDP next to Original Medicare, or built into an MA plan as MA-PD.