Occasionally, Medicare patients require “self-administered drugs” in hospital outpatient settings. Self-administered drugs are medications you would normally take on your own, such as blood pressure and diabetes medications. In most cases, Part B generally doesn’t pay for self-administered drugs used in the hospital outpatient setting.

In an outpatient setting, the hospital may charge you for self-administered drugs that aren’t covered by Part B. You may be covered for these medications if you’re enrolled in a Medicare drug plan (Part D).

Here are some things you should know about Medicare drug plans (Part D) and self-administered drugs:
– Generally, Medicare drug plans will not cover over-the-counter medications such as aspirin or laxatives.
– Your Medicare drug plan will only cover prescription drugs that are on its formulary (drug list), unless it’s covered by an exception.
– You can’t get your self-administered drugs in an outpatient or emergency department setting regularly.