Which statement is true regarding the interaction between Medicare Advantage plans and prescription drug coverage?

Which statement is true regarding the interaction between Medicare Advantage plans and prescription drug coverage?

• A. MA plans can never include drug coverage.
• B. MA plans with drug coverage replace the need for a separate PDP.
• C. PDP can run concurrently with MA if the patient wants.
• D. MA plans with drug coverage require a separate Medigap policy.

Answer: (B)

Medicare Advantage plans that include prescription drug coverage bundle both medical and drug benefits into one plan, so you receive Part D–like coverage through that MA plan rather than a separate stand-alone Part D plan. This means you don’t enroll in a separate PDP while you’re in an MA plan with drug coverage; the MA plan takes care of your prescription drug benefits within the same plan. If you want drug coverage but stay with Original Medicare, you would enroll in a standalone Part D plan. In addition, Medigap is designed to supplement Original Medicare, not Medicare Advantage, so you wouldn’t pair a Medigap policy with an MA plan. So the correct idea is that MA plans with drug coverage replace the need for a separate PDP.

Medicare Advantage plans that include prescription drug coverage bundle both medical and drug benefits into one plan, so you receive Part D–like coverage through that MA plan rather than a separate stand-alone Part D plan. This means you don’t enroll in a separate PDP while you’re in an MA plan with drug coverage; the MA plan takes care of your prescription drug benefits within the same plan. If you want drug coverage but stay with Original Medicare, you would enroll in a standalone Part D plan. In addition, Medigap is designed to supplement Original Medicare, not Medicare Advantage, so you wouldn’t pair a Medigap policy with an MA plan. So the correct idea is that MA plans with drug coverage replace the need for a separate PDP.