How to compare Part D plans
Compare total yearly cost for your drugs, not the premium.
The cheapest drug plan is the one with the lowest total yearly cost for the drugs you actually take, at the pharmacy you actually use. That's rarely the plan with the lowest premium.
Step by step
- Make a list of every drug you take: name, dose and how often.
- Enter it in the Medicare Plan Finder at Medicare.gov, along with your preferred pharmacies.
- Sort plans by estimated total yearly cost (premium plus drug costs).
- For the top few plans, check each drug's tier and any prior authorization, step therapy or quantity limits.
- Check that your pharmacy is in network, and whether it's a preferred pharmacy.
- Look at the plan's star rating.
Do it every year
Premiums, formularies, tiers and pharmacy networks change every January. A plan that was cheapest this year may not be next year. Compare during Open Enrollment, October 15 to December 7.
Free help
Your State Health Insurance Assistance Program can run the comparison with you for free, and 1-800-MEDICARE can help by phone.
Common questions
Only if its total cost for your drugs is also lowest. A low premium with high cost sharing on your drugs can cost more over a year.
Sometimes. The Plan Finder can compare retail and mail-order costs for your drugs.
Want help with your own choices?
Every state runs a State Health Insurance Assistance Program (SHIP) with trained counselors who give free, unbiased Medicare help and do not sell plans. Find yours on our Medicare by state pages, or call Medicare at 1-800-MEDICARE (1-800-633-4227) (TTY 1-877-486-2048, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week).
Planning the rest of your coverage in retirement? We can help with life insurance later in life and final expense coverage.
Sources
- Costs for Medicare drug coverage, Medicare.gov. Checked September 29, 2026.
- Joining a health or drug plan, Medicare.gov. Checked September 29, 2026.
General information about the federal Medicare program, not advice about your situation. Figures are for 2026 unless stated and change every year; last reviewed September 29, 2026. Quote My Policy is a private company. Not connected with or endorsed by the United States government or the federal Medicare program.
Quote My Policy does not sell Medicare plans on this site. For plan-specific help, contact Medicare at 1-800-MEDICARE (1-800-633-4227) (TTY 1-877-486-2048, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week) or your State Health Insurance Assistance Program.