Here are a few possibilities if you currently use no prescription drugs and are eligible for Medicare:
(1) Consider enrolling in a stand-alone Medicare Part D prescription drug plan with the lowest monthly premium and consider the coverage like any other insurance that you will have just in case you need it.
(2) Consider enrolling in a Medicare Advantage plan that includes prescription drug coverage (MAPD) and has a low or $0 premium.
(3) Don't enroll in a Medicare Part D drug plan if you have some other form of creditable drug coverage such as employer or VA coverage.
(4) Don't enroll in a Medicare Part D drug plan and prepare to pay the penalty should you ever need to join a Medicare Part D plan in the future. However, remember that the late-enrollment penalty can become rather costly (for example, reaching almost $1,100 for the year in 2026).
(5) If you are qualified for your state Medicaid program or the Medicare Part D Extra Help program (Low-Income Subsidy), you will not be subject to a late enrollment penalty and you can join any Medicare drug plan with a reduced premium rate - and low drug co-pays.
The late-enrollment premium penalty is permanent and accumulates for each month you are without some form of creditable prescription drug coverage - each month is an increase of 1% of the average national base monthly Medicare Part D premium for that year. In 2026, the base premium is $38.99 – so if you are without Medicare Part D coverage for just 10 months, you would pay an additional $3.90 per month as a penalty (in addition to your Medicare plan's monthly premium).
You can learn more by reading our Frequently Asked Question (FAQ) “How do I calculate my Medicare Part D Late-Enrollment Penalty?” found on this site.
For more information, you can telephone Medicare at 1-800-633-4227 and ask a Medicare representative for assistance. The Medicare representative can answer your questions, estimate your penalty, and possibly also provide some suggestions about choosing a low-costing Medicare Part D plan or Medicare Advantage plan in your area.
As noted by Medicare:
"As we age, most people need prescription drugs to stay healthy. For most people, joining between October 15 and December 7 means you will pay the lowest possible monthly premium.(Source: U.S. Department of Health & Human Services)
If you don't join a plan by December 7 and you don't currently have a drug plan that, on average, covers at least as much as standard Medicare prescription drug coverage, you will have to wait until October 15 of the next year to join a Medicare drug plan. When you do join, your premium cost will go up at least 1% per month for every month that you wait to join. Like other insurance, you must pay this penalty as long as you have Medicare prescription drug coverage. If you join by December 7 your coverage will begin January 1."