The Difference Between MA and MAPD Plans
Most (but not all) Medicare Advantage plans include prescription drug coverage. Plans that combine medical coverage AND prescription drug coverage are called Medicare Advantage Prescription Drug (MAPD) plans. It is important to understand the difference between MA-only and MAPD plans.
MA-only plans
- Replace Original Medicare
- Administered by private insurance companies approved by Medicare
- Offer medical coverage only (do not cover prescription medications)
- Patients can add prescription drug coverage by enrolling in a stand-alone prescription drug plan (PDP)
MAPD plans
- Replace Original Medicare
- Administered by private insurance companies approved by Medicare
- Offer combined medical and prescription drug coverage in one comprehensive benefit
If you enroll in an MA Only plan, you are not allowed to get a separate Part D plan unless the MA-Only plan is a Private fee-for-service or PFFS plan without drug coverage or an MSA plan. Please correct above statement
can a person join an MA plan without prescription coverage to avoid a PDP penalty