Top 3 Companies With the Best Medicare Part D Plans for 2026
Wellcare sells the best Medicare Part D plans for prescription drug coverage in 2026.
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Best Medicare Part D plans for 2026
ValuePenguin's experts chose the best Medicare Part D plans by reviewing each company's average rates, coverage, list of covered drugs customer satisfaction and Medicare star ratings. Our experts also reviewed customer satisfaction with mail-order pharmacies and specifically researched coverage for weight-loss drugs.
Cigna Medicare Part D plans will be sold under the HealthSpring brand name for the 2026 plan year. This change won't affect plan details or coverage for current Cigna customers.
Best and cheapest Part D plans: Wellcare
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Overall rating
- Average monthly cost: $8
Wellcare's low-cost plans have quality coverage.
Pros
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Cheap rates
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Good customer service
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Low copays for generic drugs
Cons
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High deductibles
Wellcare sells the cheapest Part D plans for 2026, and its plans have good quality coverage. You'll pay an average of $8 per month for a Wellcare plan, which is $54 per month less than the national average of $62 per month. And in most states, you can get a plan for less than $10 per month.
Wellcare's plans are a good option if you're on a budget, because of the affordable monthly rate and low costs you'll have to pay when you get your prescription filled. No matter what plan you buy, you won't have a copay for low-cost generic medications. All Wellcare plans have a $615 deductible, which is the highest allowed by law.
However, the Wellcare Medicare Rx Value Script plan starts to pay for your lower-cost medications right away, because it doesn't have a deductible on some generic and brand name drugs. If you take one or more drugs in this category, consider getting the Value Script plan since it gives you better coverage.
Wellcare doesn't have any plans with a $0 deductible. If you take expensive medications, it might be worth it to look for a company that has $0 deductible plans, like Blue Cross Blue Shield or Humana. In particular, Humana stands out for having the most $0 deductible plan options of any Medicare Part D company, at 51.
Wellcare sells Medicare Part D plans nationwide.
Best for $0 per month plans: Humana
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Overall rating
- Average monthly cost: $39
Humana offers the most Medicare Part D plans with zero monthly cost.
Pros
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Many $0 deductible plans available
Affordable rates
Good mail-order pharmacy
Cons
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Plans aren't good if you have diabetes
Consider the Humana Premier Rx plan if you take expensive medications or several drugs together.
Humana offers plans with no drug deductible in every state and Washington, D.C. These plans are a great choice if you want immediate coverage.
It's important to remember, you'll typically pay more for a plan with a $0 deductible than you will for a regular Part D plan. Humana Premier Rx plan costs an average of $118 per month, or almost double the cost of an average Medicare Part D plan.
It's a good idea to do the math when comparing plan types. For example, if the Humana Premier Rx plan in your area costs $60 per month more than a plan with a $615 deductible, then you're probably better off with the lower plan tier. That's because you'd pay $720 more per year for the Premier plan, which is $105 more than you'd save with a $0 deductible.
Humana is also a good choice if you prefer to use mail-order prescription delivery services. The company's mail-order pharmacy, CenterWell, has a high rating for customer satisfaction from J.D. Power. You can get up to 90 days for most prescriptions, and you'll often pay less than you would if you used an in-person pharmacy.
Humana has affordable average rates of $54 per month. That's about 13% less than the national average.
In particular, the Humana Basic Rx plan is extremely affordable, at about $11 per month, on average. But it's important to note you'll pay $615 before coverage starts.
That makes the Humana Basic Rx plan a good choice if you only have a few, cheap prescriptions.
Humana Part D plans are available nationwide.
Best for access to specialty drugs: Aetna
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Overall rating
- Average monthly cost: $43
Aetna customers report having an easy time getting the drugs they need.
Pros
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Good choice if you need less common drugs
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Affordable generics
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Strong reputation for customer satisfaction
Cons
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Higher than average rates
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Large deductibles for all Part D plans
Aetna customers report having an easy time getting the drugs they need. This makes Aetna a good choice if you take a less common medication, or if you live in an area with fewer pharmacies.
The company covers over 1,700 generic and name-brand drugs, and Aetna customers can get affordable prescriptions at more than 63,000 in-network pharmacies nationwide.
Aetna charges copays of just $0 to $2 for some generic drugs.
Aetna Part D charges higher-than-average monthly rates, at roughly $69 per month. Plus, all Aetna drug plans have a $615 annual deductible. If a low monthly cost is a top priority for you, consider a company with cheaper average rates, such as WellCare.
You can buy an Aetna Medicare Part D plan in 49 states and Washington, D.C. Aetna does not sell Medicare Part D plans in Oklahoma.
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Worst Medicare Part D plans
AARP/UnitedHealthcare and Blue Cross and Blue Shield of IL, MT, OK, NM and TX have the worst-rated Medicare Part D plans in 2026.
The companies have a rating of just 2 out of 5 stars from Medicare.gov, which means their coverage and service quality is worse than other companies. Other poorly-rated companies include Cigna (recently rebranded to HealthSpring) and several Blue Cross Blue Shield (BCBS) companies, including BlueRx and BCBS of Michigan.
Company | Rating | Monthly cost |
|---|---|---|
| UnitedHealthcare | $88 | |
| Blue Cross and Blue Shield of IL, MT, OK, MT and TX | $113 | |
| HealthSpring (Cigna) | $73 | |
| Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan | $93 | |
| BlueRx | $103 |
These companies might be good in some ways, but overall, they're not the best option for most people.
What is Medicare Part D?
Medicare Part D covers your prescription medication costs.
The plans come from private insurance companies, rather than directly from the government like Medicare Part A and Part B.
If you have just Medicare Parts A and B, you'll have limited coverage for medications. Part A will only cover some prescriptions in a hospital or skilled-nursing setting. And Part B covers some drugs, but usually only things that you get in a doctor's office and can't give to yourself, like medications that come as shots.
You can bundle your prescription drug coverage into a Medicare Advantage plan that combines the benefits offered by Medicare Parts A, B and D with other add-ons like dental, vision and fitness programs. If you do this, you won't have a separate Part D plan. You'll just have one plan for all your coverage.
Medicare Part D changes for 2026
Ten popular medications will become much cheaper in 2026 because of Medicare drug negotiations.
The government gained the right to negotiate the price of some drugs for Medicare in 2022. The first set of negotiations will be completed in 2026 for 10 popular drugs, including:
- Eliquis
- Enbrel
- Entresto
- Farxiga
- Fiasp/Novolog
- Imbruvica
- Januvia
- Jardiance
- Stelara
- Xarelto
You can expect to pay about one-half to two-thirds less than the 2023 list price for most of these drugs. Some drugs will fall to less than a quarter of what they cost in 2023.
Cost changes to Medicare Part D in 2026
- The average cost of a Medicare Part D plan has fallen from $65 per month in 2025 to $62 per month in 2026.
- Companies can now set your deductible at a maximum of $615 for the year, up from $590 for 2025.
- The most you'll pay in combined out of pocket costs rose from $2,000 in 2025 to $2,100 in 2026.
How to choose the best Medicare Part D plan for you
Think about your medication needs and budget to choose the best Medicare Part D plan.
1. How much drug coverage do I need?
Consider how many medications you take regularly and the medications you may need in the coming year. If you have multiple or expensive prescriptions or you're managing ongoing illnesses, it may be a better deal to sign up for a more expensive plan that offers better coverage. You can change your plan during open enrollment if you need more or less coverage.
2. Which plan has the best star rating?
The number of stars each plan has on Medicare.gov measures plan quality and customer satisfaction.
3. Are the medications I take covered?
Check the plan's list of covered drugs to learn about your coverage and the costs you'll pay at the pharmacy. These lists divide drugs into five of what are called classification tiers, which helps determine how much you'll pay for that drug at the pharmacy. If your medication is in a higher tier, you could have to pay more, and some plans have a separate deductible for Tier 3, 4 or 5 drugs.
4. What's the final cost I'll pay each month?
You can take advantage of cost-savings programs such as Extra Help if you have a low income. Extra Help lowers your monthly bills by making medication more affordable.
On the other hand, if you make $109,000 per year as a single person or $218,000 as a couple, you have to pay an extra fee, called an IRMAA.
5. Are my local pharmacies in the preferred network?
Check if there are nearby pharmacies in your insurance company's network. If there aren't, see if the plan uses a mail-order pharmacy and if your medications qualify. If you can't find any pharmacies in the network and you can't get your medications by mail, look for a different plan.
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Frequently asked questions
What is the best Medicare Part D plan?
Wellcare has the best overall plans for Medicare Part D because of its good ratings and affordable monthly costs. The WellCare Classic and WellCare Value Script plans both have $0 copays for some generic drugs.
Is it worth getting Medicare Part D?
Medicare Part D is worth it for most people who don't bundle their drug coverage into a Medicare Advantage plan. Without a drug plan, you have to pay the full cost for your medications, which can get expensive.
What drugs are covered by Medicare Part D?
Each company sets its list of covered drugs, called a "formulary." All companies have to cover at least two medications for each type of health treatment, but the specific medications will be different depending on your plan. Check a plan's formulary before you buy, to make sure it covers your medications. You can easily check coverage for your prescriptions when you shop on Medicare.gov.
How much does Medicare Part D cost?
Medicare Part D costs $62 per month, on average, in 2026. The amount you pay depends on the plan you choose and any income-based adjustments, such as an extra fee for high earners or discounts for people with low incomes.
Methodology and sources
Comparisons of 2026 Medicare Part D plans are based on average Medicare star ratings, monthly rates, deductible amounts and policy details.
Rates are averages for each company and include its subsidiaries. The data came from the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) Medicare Part D performance data and Medicare Part D plan and rate data. Averages are based on plans in 50 states and Washington, D.C., excluding U.S. territories.
About the Author
Senior Writer
Talon Abernathy is a ValuePenguin Senior Writer who specializes in health insurance, Medicare and Medicaid. He's also contributed to other insurance verticals including home, renters, auto, motorcycle and flood insurance.
Talon came to ValuePenguin in 2023. Since his arrival, he's helped to expand the site's health insurance-related content offerings. He enjoys helping readers understand the ins and outs of America's all too complicated health insurance landscape.
Before coming to ValuePenguin, Talon worked as a freelance writer. His prior work has touched on a broad range of personal finance-related topics including credit-building strategies, small business incorporation tactics and creative ways to save for retirement.
Insurance tip
In many parts of the country, you can qualify for a free Silver health insurance plan if you meet certain income requirements. Government subsidies in the form of premium tax credits and cost-sharing reductions may mean you'll pay nothing for coverage.
Expertise
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Referenced by
- The Miami Herald
- Money.com
- MSN
- Nasdaq
- The Sacramento Bee
- Yahoo! Finance
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- BA, University of Washington
- Certificate in Copyediting, UC San Diego
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- Licensed Life & Disability Insurance Agent
- Licensed Property & Casualty Insurance Agent
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