3-minute readPublished 03/28/2024Updated 06:05 PM EST, 11/04/2026
A Medicare Advantage Prescription Drug (MAPD) plan is a type of Medicare Advantage (Part C) plan that combines your hospital, medical and prescription drug cover in one plan. A stand-alone Prescription Drug Plan (PDP) covers only prescription drugs and works with Original Medicare. While both help cover prescription medications, they work in different ways and meet different healthcare needs.
Here’s a closer look at the difference between MAPDs and PDPs.
A MAPD plan combines Original Medicare Part A (Hospital insurance) and Medicare Part B (Medical insurance) with Medicare Part D (prescription drug coverage) into a single health plan.
MAPD plans provide all the benefits covered by Original Medicare . Some also include additional benefits not covered by Original Medicare, like:
Most MAPD plans use provider networks, like Health Maintenance Organizations (HMOs) or Preferred Provider Organizations (PPOs) . HMOs and PPOs may require you to use in-network providers to get the lowest costs.
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3-minute readPublished 03/28/2024Updated 06:05 PM EST, 11/04/2026
A stand-alone Medicare Part D Prescription Drug Plan (PDP) provides prescription drug coverage only. It works with Original Medicare (Part A and Part B) and can also be paired with Medicare Supplement (Medigap) plans .Unlike MAPD plans, PDPs don’t provide medical coverage. You'll continue getting medical benefits through Original Medicare while using the PDP for prescription drug coverage.
Feature | MAPD plan | Stand-alone PDP |
|---|---|---|
Hospital and medical coverage | Yes. Covers everything Original Medicare (Parts A and B) covers
| No. You get hospital and medical coverage through Original Medicare |
Prescription drug coverage | Yes, included in the plan
| Yes, this is the plan’s only coverage
|
Monthly costs | Most MAPD plans offer an affordable or even $0 monthly plan premium, although members must continue to pay the Medicare Part B premium ($202.90 in 2026).
| The average monthly plan premium for a Medicare Part D plan in 2026 is $34.50. Members must continue to pay the Medicare Part B premium ($202.90 in 2026).
|
Out-of-pocket limit for medical care | Yes. Plans have annual out-of-pocket maximum for covered medical services
| No. Original Medicare has no out-of-pocket limit. A medigap plan can help cover these costs |
Extra benefits (dental, vision, hearing, fitness) | Often included | Not included
|
Doctor and hospital choice | Usually limited to the plan’s network (HMO or PPO). Some plans require referrals | Any doctor or hospital in the U.S. that accepts Medicare. No referrals needed |
Can be paired with Medigap | No | Yes |
3-minute readPublished 03/28/2024Updated 06:05 PM EST, 11/04/2026
You can enroll in or switch between MAPD and PDP plans during certain Medicare enrollment periods :
Initial Enrollment Period (IEP) : When you first become eligible for Medicare, you can enroll in either a MAPD plan or a PDP.
Annual Enrollment Period (AEP) : Oct. 15—Dec. 7 each year. You can switch from a PDP to MAPD plan, or from a MAPD plan to PDP, or change your current plan.
Medicare Advantage Open Enrollment Period : Jan. 1—March 31 each year. If you have a Medicare Advantage plan, you can make one change. You can switch to another Medicare Advantage plan or return to Original Medicare and add a PDP.
Special Enrollment Periods (SEPs) : Available in qualifying situations, like moving or losing other coverage.
Note: In most cases, enrolling in prescription drug coverage when you’re first eligible can help you avoid a late enrollment penalty .
An all-in-1 MAPD plan may fit if you:
A stand-alone PDP with Original Medicare may fit if you:
Note: Keep in mind that a PDP has its own monthly premium, separate from your Part B premium
3-minute readPublished 03/28/2024Updated 06:05 PM EST, 11/04/2026
For more information on the costs, coverage and types of Medicare plans, check out our library of Medicare articles . To see Medicare plans in your area with their premiums, copays and participating doctors and pharmacies, visit our Humana Medicare plans page .
Yes. If you're enrolled in Original Medicare and a stand-alone PDP, you can generally switch to a MAPD plan during the Annual Enrollment Period . Once your MAPD coverage starts, your PDP enrollment is typically ended automatically.
No. While many Medicare Advantage plans include prescription drug coverage, some do not. It's important to review plan details before enrolling if prescription drug coverage is important to you.
No. In most cases, you can’t be enrolled in a MAPD and a stand-alone PDP at the same time. MAPD plans already include prescription drug coverage.
You’ll usually be disenrolled from your Medicare Advantage plan and return to Original Medicare.
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