Which Medicare plan is optional and available through private prescription drug plans?

Medicare Part D is the correct answer because it specifically addresses prescription drug coverage for Medicare beneficiaries. This part of Medicare is designed to help cover the cost of prescription medications and is not included automatically with the traditional Medicare plan. Instead, beneficiaries can choose to enroll in Part D through private insurance companies that have been approved by Medicare, making it an optional benefit.

While Medicare Part A covers hospital insurance and Medicare Part B covers medical insurance, both of these parts are primary components of the federal Medicare program that beneficiaries receive automatically if they qualify. Medicare Part C, also known as Medicare Advantage, is a bundled option that includes both Part A and Part B (and often Part D), but it must be purchased through a private insurer. In contrast, Medicare Part D is intentionally designed as a separate, voluntary program focused solely on prescription drugs, allowing flexibility for beneficiaries based on their individual healthcare needs.