Prescription drug coverage helps patients pay for the costs of their medications. Generally, plans include a deductible amount in which the patient must pay before the coverage helps pay for some of the costs of the medications. Once coverage does begin, prescription drug plans have co-pays. In other words, the drug coverage pays for some of the price of the medication, but the patient still has to pay some amount out of pocket for the medication. The coverage along with the patient co-pay cover the costs of prescription drugs. Prescription drug coverage is essential for anyone who uses prescription medication, especially the elderly and families because of the very high costs of prescription drugs.