The short answer is no. You can’t be enrolled in both a standalone Part D and Medicare Advantage (MA) plan. It’s more of an “either/or” type situation. Medicare rules prohibit having both types of coverage at the same time. You can choose either a Medicare Advantage plan OR Original Medicare with a Part D prescription drug plan.
However, you may not need a Part D plan if you’re already enrolled in Medicare Advantage, as MA plans already bundle medical and, typically, drug coverage. Here’s what you should know to make the best decision.
Medicare Rules Prevent Having Both Types of Coverage
According to Medicare rules, you cannot have both a standalone Part D and Medicare Advantage plan. You have to choose one or the other.
The reason why you can’t have both comes down to double coverage. Many Medicare Advantage plans include some sort of prescription drug coverage. And if you have both Part D and Medicare Advantage, it could cause complications as to which plan to bill when you fill your prescriptions. Medicare plans and billing are already complicated enough, so the government prohibits members from having more than one type of coverage to simplify the process and ensure members are taken care of as quickly and efficiently as possible.
What Happens If You Enroll in Standalone Part D While on Medicare Advantage?
Because you can’t have both a standalone Part D and Medicare Advantage plan, it means that if you enroll in a standalone Part D plan, it’ll automatically disenroll you from your existing Medicare Advantage plan. The opposite is also true: If you enroll in a Medicare Advantage plan, it will cancel your standalone Part D plan.
It’s important to understand that enrolling in one will disenroll you from the other. Make sure you know which coverage you already have before you enroll in another plan.
Special Rule: Medicare Medical Savings Account Plans
The only exception to having a Part D and Medicare Advantage plan is if you have a Medicare Medical Savings Account (MSA) plan. Because MSAs don’t include prescription drug coverage, members are allowed to have both an MSA and a standalone Part D plan. There’s no double coverage.
However, MSA plans are not available in Nevada for 2026, so this exception may be irrelevant for most local beneficiaries.
Best Option to Get Standalone Part D Coverage
If you would like to have a standalone Part D prescription drug plan, the best option would be to pair it with Original Medicare and a Medicare Supplement plan (also called Medigap).
Original Medicare (Parts A and B) covers the services and supplies for medically necessary procedures. This can include doctor visits, hospital stays, outpatient services, and more. However, it still leaves holes in coverage, like for copayments, deductibles, and coinsurance. This is where a Medigap plan comes in, to cover the “gaps” in Parts A and B.
However, Original Medicare and Medigap still don’t include prescription drug coverage, which is why a Part D plan is important.
If you decide to go this route, just be aware that most Medicare Supplement plans require health underwriting after age 66 unless a special enrollment period applies.
Find a Medicare Plan That Works for You
While you might not be able to have standalone Part D and Medicare Advantage, that doesn’t mean there’s not a plan out there that will work for your unique needs. The best way to find your perfect plan is to prepare for the Annual Enrollment Period (10/15 through 12/7 every year) and compare your choices.
If you decide it’s best to disenroll from Medicare Advantage and switch to Original Medicare, you may do so during Medicare Open Enrollment, which lasts from January 1 through March 31. Just remember to compare drug coverage carefully if medications are a concern for you. Visit Medicare.gov or call 1-800-MEDICARE to compare standalone Part D plans.
If you have questions about your options or would like to discuss whether a Medicare Advantage plan is right for you, contact us at Health Benefits Associates. Our team of experienced agents will walk you through the options to choose which plan is right for your unique needs. Schedule an appointment by calling 775-828-1216 today.