People With Medicare

Which drugs does Medicare Part B cover?

Medicare Part B covers most of the drugs to treat your cancer that are given as a shot, through an IV tube, or by mouth. These are called chemotherapy drugs. Your doctor or treatment center gets the drugs. Then your doctor or a nurse puts them in your veins or gives you a pill or liquid to swallow.

Many chemotherapy drugs can cause nausea and vomiting. You will get anti-nausea drugs when you get your chemotherapy.

Which oral cancer drugs does Part B cover?

Medicare Part B covers cancer drugs that you have put in your veins or can take by mouth. If your drug is only made to be taken by mouth, your Medicare Part D plan should cover it.   

How does Medicare cover anti-nausea drugs?

It covers them the same way Medicare covers cancer drugs. If you can take your anti-nausea drug by mouth or in your veins, then Medicare Part B will cover either one. But your doctor must give it to you within 48 hours of your cancer treatment. Otherwise, your Medicare Part D plan should cover it.

Which drugs does a Medicare Part D drug plan cover?

Generally, your Medicare Part D drug plan will cover these drugs:

• Drugs that are prescribed for you but are not taken as part of chemotherapy to treat your cancer
• Drugs that you take on your own without help from a doctor or nurse
• Anti-nausea drugs you can only take by mouth

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