Medicaid and the Medicare Part D Prescription Drug Benefit

Medicare Part D is a prescription drug benefit available to everyone with Medicare. It has special importance to people with Medicare and New York State Medicaid because Medicare Part D replaces Medicaid in paying for most of your prescription drugs

Under the Medicare Part D prescription benefit almost all of your drugs costs will be paid for by Medicare instead of Medicaid. You will get prescription drug coverage from Medicare and pay a small Medicare copayment for each prescription. If you currently receive NYS Medicaid and you do not join a Medicare prescription drug plan, you may lose all your NYS Medicaid benefits.

When you become eligible for both Medicare and Medicaid you will automatically be assigned to a Medicare Prescription Drug Plan to make sure you don't miss a day of coverage. You can also enroll in a plan of your own choosing that may better meet your prescription drug needs. Information about available plans and the “Medicare & You” handbook is available from Medicare. Be sure to read this information to understand all the changes.

For more information, click on or call:

  • Medicare
     1-800-MEDICARE
    (1-800-633-4227)
    TTY users should call 1-877-486-2048

Or for free personalized health insurance counseling contact:

Important Information for Prescribers and Pharmacists:

Medicaid will continue to pay for barbiturates when used for medical indications other than epilepsy, cancer, or a chronic mental health disorder, select prescription vitamins and certain non-prescription drugs.

Additional Information