Medicare Part D is optional insurance coverage offered through Medicare for prescription drugs.

All of the University's medical plans for retirees age 65 or over directly offer Medicare Part D prescription drug coverage to their members.

• The prescription drug coverage for each of the medical plans offered through the University is better coverage than that offered through Medicare Part D alone.
• You will be automatically enrolled in Medicare Part D as a participant in any of the medical plans offered through the University. Only Blue Cross Blue Shield requires that you complete a form for the separate MedicareBlue Rx prescription drug program.
• The Medicare premium for Medicare Part D is automatically included in the monthly premium you pay for your University medical plan.
• If you enroll in another Medicare Part D plan in the open marketplace, either intentionally or inadvertently, you will most likely lose your coverage through the University. In this event, you will be unable to benefit from the University's group rates and benefits.
• Medicare charges a penalty for late enrollment in Medicare Part D. However, if you are enrolled in a medical plan offered through the University and decide later — say, in 2010 — to leave this plan for one outside of the University, you will not be charged a penalty for late enrollment since you will have been enrolled in Medicare Part D in an employer-sponsored group plan.