Medicare drug coverage under Parts A, B and D

Here's some help figuring out what drugs, vaccines or diabetic supplies your Medicare plan covers. 

Also check the Medicare list of high-risk drugs, drugs that have side effects that make them riskier for older people to take.

Medicare Part A drugs & supplies

You have Medicare Part A hospitalization coverage if you are enrolled in:

• Original Medicare, or
• A Medicare Advantage plan with or without prescription drug coverage

Medicare Part A will pay for:

• Drugs given to you during a Medicare-covered hospital stay
• Drugs given to you during a Medicare-covered stay in a skilled nursing facility
• Drugs given to you for symptom control or pain relief when you're in hospice care

Medicare Part B drugs, vaccines and supplies

You have Medicare Part B doctor visit medical coverage if you are enrolled in:

• Original Medicare AND you're paying your Part B premium, or
• A Medicare Advantage plan, with or without prescription drug coverage

Medicare Part B will pay for:

• Injections, supplies and some other drugs that your doctor gives you/you use during your visit. The doctor includes them on the bill for your appointment.
• Some vaccines you get at your doctor's office, or at a Vaccine Network pharmacy: Influenza (flu), Pneumococcal pneumonia, Hepatitus B (for individuals at high or intermediate risk), and other vaccines when they are medically necessary to treat an illness or injury. Read more details on where to get a vaccination or flu shot.
• Drugs you need when you're using durable medical equipment (DME) such as a nebulizer or external or implantable pump
• Some diabetes supplies: Part B covers glucose monitors, test strips and lancets. Read more about how to get diabetes supplies.

Medicare Part D drugs, vaccines & supplies

Original Medicare doesn't include prescription drug coverage. Neither do Medigap (Medicare Supplement insurance) plans. You have Medicare Part D prescription coverage if you are enrolled in:

• An MAPD (Medicare Advantage + prescription drug) plan, or
• A plan that only covers Medicare Part D, such as PriorityMedicare Rx^SM

Medicare Part D is only prescription coverage, not medical coverage. It will pay for:

• Prescription drugs on your plan's approved drug list (formulary) that you get from a pharmacy and take on your own
• Some vaccines other than the ones mentioned under Part B, above. When vaccines are covered by Part D, they are listed in your plan's approved drug list (formulary). 
  View or print a copy of the 2012 list of approved drugs (988KB PDF)*  Vaccines are listed starting on page 55.
• Some diabetes supplies: Part D covers insulin, syringes, needles, alcohol swabs and gauze. Read more about how to get diabetes supplies.