Plans
Prescription Drug Plan (PDP)
Quick answer
A Prescription Drug Plan (PDP) is a stand-alone Part D plan you add to Original Medicare (or to certain Medicare Advantage plans that don't include drug coverage).
Plain-English definition
PDPs are offered by private insurers. Each has its own formulary, deductible, tier structure, and preferred pharmacies.
Why it matters
If you keep Original Medicare or a drug-free MA plan, a PDP is how you get Part D coverage and avoid the LEP.
A simple example
You have Original Medicare + Medigap Plan G + a PDP for your prescriptions.
Common mistakes & misconceptions
Related terms
Medicare Part D
Medicare Part D is prescription drug coverage sold by private insurance companies approved by Medicare. You get it either as a stand-alone drug plan (PDP) with Original Medicare or bundled inside most Medicare Advantage plans.
Formulary
A formulary is the official list of prescription drugs a Medicare Part D or Medicare Advantage plan covers, organized by tier. Every plan has its own formulary, and the same drug can be a different tier from one plan to another.
Original Medicare
Original Medicare is the traditional fee-for-service program run directly by the federal government. It includes Part A (hospital) and Part B (medical) and lets you use any provider in the U.S. that accepts Medicare.
Frequently asked questions
Can I have a PDP with a Medicare Advantage plan?+
Only with MA plans that do not include drug coverage — otherwise enrolling in a PDP disenrolls you from the MA plan.
Sources & references
📚 Where this information comes from
- Medicare.gov — official U.S. government site for people with Medicare ↗Primary source for benefits, enrollment periods, and plan comparison.
- CMS.gov — Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services ↗Federal rulemaking, program updates, and official guidance.
- Social Security Administration — Medicare enrollment & premiums ↗Enrollment, premium withholding, and IRMAA determinations.
When you're ready, compare plans on your own terms
See Medicare Advantage plans from the insurance companies we represent, or walk the course with a licensed agent whenever you'd like a second set of eyes.
We help compare Medicare Advantage plans from the insurance companies we represent, and we don't offer every plan available in your area.
Medicare Caddies is an independent insurance agency. We are not affiliated with, endorsed by, or connected to the U.S. government, the federal Medicare program, or the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS). We help compare Medicare Advantage plans from the insurance companies we represent, and we don't offer every plan available in your area.