Medicare Part D is the new voluntary outpatient prescription drug benefit that was added to the Medicare program beginning Jan. 1.

Medicare Part D is intended to assist those in Medicare who do not have prescription drug coverage through an employer group plan like CalPERS. Members enrolled in a CalPERS Medicare or Basic plan already have prescription drug coverage that does not require the supplementation of Medicare Part D.

Therefore, CalPERS Medicare plan members should not enroll in a non-CalPERS Medicare Part D prescription plan. CalPERS members who enroll in a non-CalPERS prescription drug plan will lose their CalPERS health coverage.

If you have additional questions regarding your enrollment in Medicare Part D, contact CalPERS Customer Contact Center at 888-225-7377.