How to compare Medicare Part D drug plans?

To compare Medicare Part D plans, use the official Medicare Plan Finder on Medicare.gov by entering your zip code, logging in (optional, for saved info), and listing your exact prescription drugs, dosages, and preferred pharmacies to see personalized costs for premiums, deductibles, and drug coverage across plans, focusing on total estimated annual costs and plan Star Ratings to find the most affordable and suitable option for you.

How to compare Part D plans?

To compare Medicare Part D plans, use the official Medicare.gov Plan Finder tool to input your specific ZIP code, preferred pharmacies, and all your medications (including dosages) to get personalized cost estimates for premiums, deductibles, and drug copays, then sort by lowest total cost (drug + premium) and check the plan's formulary (drug list) and star ratings for quality. 

Who has the best Part D drug plan?

There's no single "best" Part D plan, as it depends on your specific drugs, but Humana, UnitedHealthcare (AARP), Cigna, Aetna (SilverScript), and Wellcare consistently rank high for 2026, often praised for low costs, $0 copays for generics, or broad networks, with the Humana Value Rx Plan and AARP Medicare Rx Preferred frequently highlighted as top choices for affordability and value, though comparing your personal medications on Medicare.gov is crucial for the best fit. 

What do most people pay for Medicare Part D?

The average cost for a standalone Medicare Part D plan is around $34.50 per month for 2026, but costs vary widely by plan, location, and income, with deductibles up to $615 and copays/coinsurance for drugs. For Medicare Advantage (Part C) plans with drug coverage (MAPD), the average premium is lower, projected to be about $11.50 monthly in 2026, plus your Part B premium. Key costs include premiums, deductibles (max $615 in 2026), copays/coinsurance, and potential Income-Related Monthly Adjustment Amounts (IRMAA) for higher earners. 

What are the disadvantages of Medicare Part D?

Disadvantages of Medicare Part D Prescription Drug plans include: Need to anticipate your prescription drug needs for the year: Part D plans differ in the types of drugs they cover. Knowing your medical situation can help you select a plan that is right for you and covers the prescription drugs you expect to need.

🧭 How to Compare Part D Drug Plans on Medicare.gov — Avoid Costly AEP Mistakes!

What are the top selling Medicare Part D drugs?

These 10 widely used medications are:

• Eliquis (blood thinner)
• Jardiance (diabetes, heart failure, chronic kidney disease)
• Xarelto (blood thinner)
• Januvia (diabetes)
• Farxiga (diabetes, heart failure, chronic kidney disease)
• Entresto (heart failure)
• Enbrel (rheumatoid arthritis, psoriasis, psoriatic arthritis)

Can I change my Medicare Part D plan every year?

Yes, you can change your Medicare Part D plan every year during the Annual Enrollment Period (AEP) from October 15 to December 7, and it's often recommended to compare plans annually as benefits, costs, and drug formularies change. Changes made during AEP take effect on January 1 of the next year, but you can also switch during specific Special Enrollment Periods (SEPs) if you have a qualifying event, like moving or losing other coverage. 

What are the biggest mistakes people make with Medicare?

The biggest Medicare mistakes involve missing enrollment deadlines, failing to review plans annually, underestimating total costs (premiums, deductibles, copays), not enrolling in a Part D drug plan with Original Medicare, and assuming one-size-fits-all coverage or that Medicare covers everything like long-term care. People often delay enrollment, get locked into old plans without checking for better options, or overlook financial assistance programs, leading to higher out-of-pocket expenses and penalties. 

Why is a plan G better than an advantage plan?

In contrast, Medicare Advantage plans often require referrals and limit care to a specific network of providers. Plan G gives you budget-friendly predictability. After you meet your annual Medicare Part B deductible (just $240 in 2025), Plan G covers nearly all other out-of-pocket costs.

How can I lower my Medicare Part D prescription costs?

Other ways to lower your prescription drug costs:

• Join Medicare drug coverage (Part D): ...
• Ask your doctor if you can take a generic drug, or a cheaper brand-name drug (if one's available).
• Check costs for mail-order pharmacies. ...
• Learn if the Medicare Prescription Payment Plan might be able to help you manage your costs.

Is Blue Cross or UnitedHealthcare better?

UnitedHealthcare gets slightly higher overall star ratings than BCBS and may offer lower prices, but BCBS might offer a better customer experience.

Which medicare advantage plan denies the most claims?

Centene (Wellcare) and CVS Health (Aetna) have faced scrutiny for high prior authorization denial rates in Medicare Advantage (MA) plans, with reports showing they had the most denied requests in 2023, though many denials were overturned on appeal, indicating issues with their strict criteria, while UnitedHealthcare also faces lawsuits and uses technology that has led to increased denials, especially for post-acute care, highlighting systemic challenges with MA plan claim approvals. 

Who has the best Part D prescription drug plan?

• Best for low average premiums: Wellcare Medicare Part D.
• Best for $0 premiums: Humana Medicare Part D.
• Additional Medicare Part D companies.
• Best for widespread availability: AARP Medicare Part D Plans from UnitedHealthcare.
• Best pharmacy network: Aetna SilverScript Medicare Part D Plans.

Is Humana or UnitedHealthcare better for seniors?

UnitedHealthcare: Medicare Advantage Comparison. UHC has higher star ratings and a large network, but Humana's Part B Giveback benefits and lower average premiums might make coverage more affordable.

Who is the largest Medicare Part D provider?

UnitedHealthcare is the largest Medicare Part D provider in the U.S., serving nearly 13.7 million Medicare beneficiaries.

What is the 3 day rule for Medicare?

Medicare's "3-Day Rule" is a requirement for Skilled Nursing Facility (SNF) coverage: you must have a medically necessary 3-consecutive-day inpatient hospital stay (not counting discharge or observation time) before Medicare pays for SNF care, generally starting within 30 days of discharge. This rule ensures SNF stays are for recovery after significant hospital care, though Medicare Advantage plans or certain CMS initiatives (like ACOs/TEAM model) may offer waivers allowing direct SNF admission from home or shorter hospital stays.
 

What does Dave Ramsey say about Medicare?

Dave Ramsey's Medicare advice centers on planning ahead, understanding enrollment periods to avoid penalties, using Health Savings Accounts (HSAs) if possible, and supplementing Original Medicare with Medigap or Medicare Advantage (Part C) to cover gaps like dental, vision, and long-term care, stressing that mistakes can be costly and recommending expert advice for personalized choices. 

What are the 5 things Medicare doesn't cover?

Medicare generally doesn't cover long-term care, most dental care, routine vision services (like glasses), hearing aids/fittings, and cosmetic surgery, though it does provide strong coverage for hospital and doctor services; you can often get coverage for these gaps through Medicare Advantage (Part C) or supplemental plans. 

How will Medicare Part D change in 2025?

Medicare Part D changes for 2025, driven by the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA), significantly lower out-of-pocket drug costs by introducing a $2,000 annual cap on spending, eliminating the coverage gap (donut hole), and adding a voluntary Medicare Prescription Payment Plan for monthly payments, simplifying the benefit into deductible, initial, and catastrophic phases with lower costs overall for beneficiaries.
 

How to choose Part D plan?

To choose a Medicare Part D plan, use the official Medicare Plan Finder on medicare.gov (starting Oct 15th) to compare plans based on your actual prescriptions, preferred pharmacies, and total costs (premiums + drug costs), not just premiums, as plans have different formularies, tiers, and deductibles, requiring an annual review for best coverage and savings.
 

Is Medicare Part D worth it for seniors?

While the lower-tier drugs may be manageable to pay for without Part D coverage, the higher tiers may give you sticker shock. So, while you may have to pay a premium, deductible, copay or coinsurance, your overall Medicare Part D costs will likely be significantly less than if you don't have coverage.

What is the most over prescribed drug?

Our study reveals that antibiotics and painkillers are the two most overprescribed drugs in America – and the consequences are deadly. Unnecessary drug prescriptions are a prominent factor in over 100,000 deaths in the U.S. every year – the fourth leading cause of death in the country.

Is a Wellcare prescription drug plan good?

Wellcare's overall 2026 Star Rating is 3.5, holding steady from 2025. While it's still not back to the 4-star rating it had in 2022, holding steady at 3.5 is a good sign, especially with many other plans' ratings continuing to slide.