Medicare's $35 insulin cap
A monthly limit on insulin, whatever your plan's deductible.
If you have Medicare, you pay no more than $35 for a one-month supply of each covered insulin product, and you don't have to meet a deductible first. The cap applies whether the insulin is covered by your Part D plan or by Part B.
Part D insulin
Insulin you inject with a pen or syringe is covered by Part D. Every Part D plan, standalone or in Medicare Advantage, must charge no more than $35 for a month's supply of each covered insulin. The insulin must be on your plan's formulary.
Part B insulin
If you use a traditional insulin pump covered as durable medical equipment, the insulin is covered by Part B, also capped at $35 for a month's supply, with no Part B deductible.
Vaccines at no cost
Part D covers adult vaccines recommended by the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices, such as the shingles vaccine, at no cost to you, with no deductible. Recommendations can change, so check Medicare.gov for the current list.
Common questions
The cap applies to insulin itself. Supplies such as syringes and pen needles are covered under Part D at your plan's cost sharing; pumps and some supplies are covered under Part B.
Yes, proportionally: no more than the cap for each month's supply.
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
- Insulin, Medicare.gov. Checked September 29, 2026.
- Shingles vaccines, 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.