What is a distinguishing characteristic of Medicare Part D?

Medicare Part D is known for including drug-specific formularies, which are lists of covered drugs that plans must follow to help beneficiaries manage their prescription medication needs. Each Medicare Part D plan has its own formulary, detailing which drugs are covered, their tiers, and the cost-sharing arrangements for beneficiaries. This structure allows beneficiaries to compare different plans based on the medications they need, ensuring that they can find a plan that best suits their healthcare requirements.

While some plans may provide comprehensive health coverage or have provisions for low-income individuals, these features are not unique to Medicare Part D, and thus do not define it distinctly. Additionally, premiums are usually required for Medicare Part D plans, making this option not representative of the program as a whole. The inclusion of drug-specific formularies is the key characteristic that differentiates Medicare Part D from other Medicare programs.