Humana MAPD vs. PDP: What’s the difference?

3-minute readPublished 03/28/2024Updated 12:24 PM EST, 01/10/2025

Senior couple enjoying a meal with their family together at home outside on the patio.

Original Medicare doesn’t cover prescription drugs, but few Medicare members would want to go without this valuable coverage. Members who opt for Original Medicare can add a stand-alone Medicare Part D prescription drug plan (PDP) to their Part A (hospital) and Part B (medical) coverage.

Another option is a Medicare Advantage prescription drug plan (MAPD). These plans are required to offer at least all the benefits of Original Medicare Parts A and B and include Rx coverage all in 1 easy-to-use plan.

MAPD and stand-alone PDP considerations

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Which plan type is right for you?

An all-in-1 MAPD plan

An MAPD may be a good choice for people who are looking for plan options that offer low out-of-pocket costs for premiums, copays and deductibles. MAPD plans may also be right for people who want the additional benefits that MAPD plans may offer, like coverage for routine dental, vision and hearing care.

A standalone PDP

If you travel often to see the grandkids or spend a lot of time away from home, Original Medicare travels with you—but it doesn’t cover prescription drugs. Purchasing a PDP will give you that valuable coverage, but you’ll have to pay a monthly plan premium for it.

Learn more about your options for prescription drug coverage

Learn more about your options for prescription drug coverage
	Medicare Advantage prescription drug plans (MAPD)	Standalone prescription drug plan (PDP)
Coverage	MAPD plans combine hospital, medical and prescription drug coverage all in 1 plan.	PDP plans cover prescription drugs only, so a PDP may complement Original Medicare coverage.
Costs	Most MAPD plans offer an affordable or even $0 monthly plan premium, although members must continue to pay the Medicare Part B premium. ($185 in 2025).	According to CMS, the average monthly plan premium for a Medicare Part D plan in 2025 is $46.50.¹ Members must continue to pay the Medicare Part B premium ($185 in 2025).¹
Choice	Humana MAPD plans include HMOs (health maintenance organizations), PPOs (preferred provider organizations), SNPs (Special Needs Plans) and PFFS (private fee-for-service) plans types.	Humana offers 3 PDP drug plans to support a variety of health needs and budgets: Humana Value Rx plan, Humana Premier Rx plan and Humana Basic Rx plan. Coverage, costs and drugs covered vary by plan choice and location.
Added benefits	Most MAPD plans include coverage for routine dental, vision and hearing care. Some provide supplemental benefits like spending allowances, fitness club memberships or Medicare Part B givebacks.	PDP coverage is limited to coverage for prescription drugs.
Pharmacy networks	Humana’s network includes more than 67,000 pharmacies including CenterWell Pharmacy™, Walmart, Walmart Neighborhood Markets, Sam’s Club, Publix, Harris Teeter, H-E-B, Costco pharmacies and the Albertsons Companies family of pharmacies.	Humana’s PDP networks also include preferred cost sharing at Albertson’s, Walmart, Walmart Neighborhood Market, Sam’s Club (no membership required), Publix, H-E-B, and Costco pharmacies, where members may save even more.