stand-alone prescription drug plan

A stand-alone prescription drug plan is another term for a Part D prescription drug plan (PDP).

A PDP is often referred to as a “stand-alone prescription drug plan” because it is separate prescription drug coverage that Medicare beneficiaries can purchase – through private insurers – usually to supplement Original Medicare.

Most Medicare Advantage plans include Part D benefits and that type of coverage is know as a Medicare Advantage prescription drug plan (MAPD).

Some Medicare Advantage plans cover medical services (i.e., Part A and B benefits) but not prescription drugs. Beneficiaries are not allowed to supplement one of these plans with a stand-alone PDP. Instead, beneficiaries needing prescription drug coverage can enroll in an MAPD.

As of 2019, about 46 percent of Part D enrollees were enrolled in a PDP while another 39 percent had an MAPD.

Read our overview of Medicare Part D prescription drug coverage.