Which of the following statements does NOT correctly define prescription drug stages?

The statement regarding deductibles is the one that does not accurately capture how prescription drug stages work. In the context of prescription drug coverage, a deductible is not charged for each individual prescription but rather refers to a specific amount that must be paid out-of-pocket by the member before the insurance plan starts to pay for prescriptions. This amount is typically established at the beginning of a coverage year and applies to overall drug costs—not each prescription individually.

Initial coverage is correctly defined as a stage where both the plan and the member share the costs of prescriptions. The donut hole, or coverage gap, is correctly described in that members often face higher out-of-pocket costs during this period, although it does not mean they pay "additional payments for every prescription" in a straightforward fixed manner—it's usually a percentage of the costs during that time. Catastrophic coverage is also correctly noted for kicking in after a member reaches their annual out-of-pocket limit, providing a safety net for high costs.

Understanding the specific details of components like deductibles helps in navigating prescription drug plans more effectively.