The invention pertains to coated medical devices, such as stents and balloon catheters, for delivering a biologically active material to body tissue of a patient. The medical device has a coating layer comprising a biocompatible polymer, non-polymer material, or biologically active material disposed on its surface, and at least one structural element embedded within the coating layer. The structural elements reduce the compressibility of the coating layer. The structural element may be any shape or configuration. A biologically active material may be dispersed within the coating layer or structural elements. Methods for making such medical devices are also disclosed.