Do I have to get the Medicare prescription drug benefit?
No. Enrollment in the benefit is optional. Whether it will help you depends on your circumstances.

If you have drug coverage as good as or better than Medicare’s (“creditable”) you can keep it without penalty. Whoever provides your coverage should tell you if [it] is as good. If you’re not sure, call and ask. If you do not have coverage as good as Medicare’s, and you don’t enroll when you are first eligible, you will pay a penalty if you enroll later.

May 15, 2006 Initial enrollment period ends. Medicare-approved discount card ends.