Medicare Part D Prescription Drug Coverage

The University of Michigan strongly urges Medicare-eligible prescription drug plan members and their enrolled dependents not to enroll in Medicare Part D (prescription drug coverage) except under certain circumstances:

  • Active employees and dependents – do not enroll in Medicare Part D
  • U-M retirees or employees on long-term disability – only enroll in Medicare Part D if you apply for and are approved for Medicare low-income prescription drug assistance.  The university advises you to continue your U-M health plan in this case.

The U-M prescription drug plan is comparable to Medicare Part D.  If you do not enroll in Medicare Part D and continue your enrollment in the university’s health insurance plan (which includes both medical and prescription drug coverage), you will be able to enroll in Medicare Part D in later years without any financial penalty.

If you enroll in a Medicare Part D plan, your Medicare Part D plan will be your primary prescription drug coverage and must be billed first. You must follow all Medicare Part D rules and policies when filling prescriptions. Your U-M drug plan administered by Magellan Rx will provide secondary coverage and should be billed after Medicare Part D.

Questions?

Learn more about Medicare Part D.

For information and applications for Medicare low-income prescription drug assistance, visit a local Social Security office, or contact the Social Security Office at 1-800-772-1213 (TTY 1-800-325-0778) or online at ssa.gov.