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Best Medicare Part D Prescription Drug Plans in 2024-2025
These Medicare Part D plans stand out for low costs and strong member experience.
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Alex Rosenberg Lead Writer | Medicare, health care, legislation
Alex Rosenberg is a NerdWallet writer focusing on Medicare and information technology. He has more than 10 years of experience researching and writing about health care, insurance, technology, data privacy and public policy. His research has supported lawmakers in the Wisconsin State Legislature as well as health systems and national health authorities in the U.S. and more than 10 other countries. He is based in Eau Claire, Wisconsin.
Holly Carey joined NerdWallet in 2021 as an editor on the team responsible for expanding content to additional topics within personal finance. She currently leads the Medicare team. Previously, Holly wrote and edited content and developed digital media strategies as a public affairs officer for the U.S. Navy. She is based in Virginia Beach, Virginia.
Medicare Part D is changing in 2025, including a new $2,000 cap on out-of-pocket costs and an optional Medicare Prescription Payment Plan. There are also plans entering and leaving the market and changes to existing plans’ quality ratings, drug coverage and costs.
With these changes in mind, it’s smart to compare options for the Part D coverage that fits your needs. We analyzed plans covering nearly 90% of stand-alone Medicare Part D members to pick the best of 2025 based on cost, quality, member satisfaction and more.
Our picks: For 2025, Wellcare’s Value Script plan is available with $0 premiums in 42 states and Washington, D.C., and Wellcare outperforms most large competitors on government quality ratings. Humana Medicare Part D plans have also maintained solid ratings, especially on measures of member experience.
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Best for $0 premiums: Wellcare Medicare Part D
Wellcare
3.5
CMS Star RatingAverage Medicare star rating, weighted by enrollment. Star ratings are determined by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS).
Wellcare beats major competitors on both price and quality. If Wellcare Value Script covers your drugs, it could be a great choice.
Out-of-pocket costsBased on how frequent and how high a company's copays, coinsurance and deductibles are in comparison to other insurance companies.
Varies
Member experienceThe average of CMS' star ratings for quality measures in the domain "Member Experience with the Drug Plan," weighted by contract enrollment.
3.0 (Above average)
Pros
$0-premium plans available in most states.
Star ratings beat other national competitors.
Cons
Coinsurance rather than copays for brand-name drugs could get pricey.
Wellcare Value Plus plan no longer has a $0 deductible for all covered drugs.
Out-of-pocket costsBased on how frequent and how high a company's copays, coinsurance and deductibles are in comparison to other insurance companies.
Varies
Member experienceThe average of CMS' star ratings for quality measures in the domain "Member Experience with the Drug Plan," weighted by contract enrollment.
3.0 (Above average)
Pros
$0-premium plans available in most states.
Star ratings beat other national competitors.
Cons
Coinsurance rather than copays for brand-name drugs could get pricey.
Wellcare Value Plus plan no longer has a $0 deductible for all covered drugs.
Top quality measures that outperformed the national average
Best for member experience: Humana Medicare Part D
Humana
3.48
CMS Star RatingAverage Medicare star rating, weighted by enrollment. Star ratings are determined by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS).
Humana beats most competitors on quality and ratings of member experience, but you might find lower premiums elsewhere.
Out-of-pocket costsBased on how frequent and how high a company's copays, coinsurance and deductibles are in comparison to other insurance companies.
Varies
Member experienceThe average of CMS' star ratings for quality measures in the domain "Member Experience with the Drug Plan," weighted by contract enrollment.
4.45 (Above average)
Pros
High scores for member experience.
Generous $0-copay and $0-deductible options.
Cons
High prices for the higher-end Premier plan.
Poor scores for accuracy of drug price estimates.
Out-of-pocket costsBased on how frequent and how high a company's copays, coinsurance and deductibles are in comparison to other insurance companies.
Varies
Member experienceThe average of CMS' star ratings for quality measures in the domain "Member Experience with the Drug Plan," weighted by contract enrollment.
4.45 (Above average)
Pros
High scores for member experience.
Generous $0-copay and $0-deductible options.
Cons
High prices for the higher-end Premier plan.
Poor scores for accuracy of drug price estimates.
Top quality measures that outperformed the national average
Medication therapy management program completion rate for enrollees who received a comprehensive medication review.
Members’ rating of the drug plan.
Standout feature: Humana Medicare Part D plans significantly outscore all major national competitors on government ratings measuring members’ experience using the plans to get their medications.
💬 From our Nerds: What’s the best Medicare prescription drug plan for 2025?
"Based on my research, I found two top Medicare Part D companies in 2025. First, Wellcare’s Value Script plan has $0 premiums in most states while also receiving good star ratings. Second, Humana stands out in government ratings of members’ experience with its plans."
"The best Part D plan for you is one that reliably covers your medications at a cost you can afford. It could be worth looking beyond Wellcare or Humana to find the right coverage, but there might be some compromises for cost and/or quality."
CMS Star RatingAverage Medicare star rating, weighted by enrollment. Star ratings are determined by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS).
AARP Medicare Part D plans from UnitedHealthcare don't get the best quality ratings, but the Medicare Rx Preferred plan is cheaper than competitors' higher-end options.
Out-of-pocket costsBased on how frequent and how high a company's copays, coinsurance and deductibles are in comparison to other insurance companies.
Average
Member experienceThe average of CMS' star ratings for quality measures in the domain "Member Experience with the Drug Plan," weighted by contract enrollment.
2.72 (Below average)
Pros
Medicare Rx Preferred plan is less expensive than competing high-end plans.
Simplified plan choices.
Cons
Medicare Rx Saver plan is pricey for a lower-end plan.
Below-average ratings for medication management.
Only the higher-end Preferred plan has $0-copay options.
Out-of-pocket costsBased on how frequent and how high a company's copays, coinsurance and deductibles are in comparison to other insurance companies.
Average
Member experienceThe average of CMS' star ratings for quality measures in the domain "Member Experience with the Drug Plan," weighted by contract enrollment.
2.72 (Below average)
Pros
Medicare Rx Preferred plan is less expensive than competing high-end plans.
Simplified plan choices.
Cons
Medicare Rx Saver plan is pricey for a lower-end plan.
Below-average ratings for medication management.
Only the higher-end Preferred plan has $0-copay options.
Top quality measures that outperformed the national average
Call center foreign language interpreter and TTY availability.
Summary for 2025:AARP Medicare Rx plans from UnitedHealthcare have lower star ratings in 2025, and the Medicare Rx Saver plan is pricey compared to competitors’ low-cost plans. But the Medicare Rx Preferred plan is less expensive than major competitors’ high-end plans, so it could be a solid value.
CMS Star RatingAverage Medicare star rating, weighted by enrollment. Star ratings are determined by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS).
Anthem has above-average star ratings, but its Part D plans can be expensive, and it serves only 13 states.
Out-of-pocket costsBased on how frequent and how high a company's copays, coinsurance and deductibles are in comparison to other insurance companies
Higher than average
Member experienceThe average of CMS' star ratings for quality measures in the domain "Member Experience with the Drug Plan," weighted by contract enrollment.
3.0 (Average)
Pros
Members have few complaints and rarely choose to leave.
Strong ratings for medication management.
Cons
High premiums.
Available in only 13 states.
Out-of-pocket costsBased on how frequent and how high a company's copays, coinsurance and deductibles are in comparison to other insurance companies
Higher than average
Member experienceThe average of CMS' star ratings for quality measures in the domain "Member Experience with the Drug Plan," weighted by contract enrollment.
3.0 (Average)
Pros
Members have few complaints and rarely choose to leave.
Strong ratings for medication management.
Cons
High premiums.
Available in only 13 states.
Top quality measures that outperformed the national average
Medication therapy management program completion rate for enrollees who received a comprehensive medication review.
Medication adherence for cholesterol (statins).
Summary for 2025:Anthem Medicare Part D plans get above-average star ratings in 2025. Members rarely file complaints or choose to leave, and Anthem plans score well for helping members get and take their medications. But Anthem’s premiums can be high, and its plans are available only in 13 states.
CMS Star RatingAverage Medicare star rating, weighted by enrollment. Star ratings are determined by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS).
Cigna offers one of the cheapest Medicare Part D plans, on average, but its quality ratings from CMS are so-so.
Out-of-pocket costsBased on how frequent and how high a company's copays, coinsurance and deductibles are in comparison to other insurance companies.
Average
Member experienceThe average of CMS' star ratings for quality measures in the domain "Member Experience with the Drug Plan," weighted by contract enrollment.
3.14 (Average)
Pros
Cigna Saver Rx is one of the cheapest Part D plans available.
Every Part D plan offers at least Tier 1 drugs with $0 copays.
Cons
Star ratings are slightly below average.
Lowest copays might require ordering 90-day supplies by mail.
Out-of-pocket costsBased on how frequent and how high a company's copays, coinsurance and deductibles are in comparison to other insurance companies.
Average
Member experienceThe average of CMS' star ratings for quality measures in the domain "Member Experience with the Drug Plan," weighted by contract enrollment.
3.14 (Average)
Pros
Cigna Saver Rx is one of the cheapest Part D plans available.
Every Part D plan offers at least Tier 1 drugs with $0 copays.
Cons
Star ratings are slightly below average.
Lowest copays might require ordering 90-day supplies by mail.
Top quality measures that outperformed the national average
Summary for 2025: Cigna Medicare Part D plans’ star ratings aren’t as high as some market leaders. But with low premiums, $0 copays for Tier 1 drugs and $0 deductibles for Tier 1-2 drugs, Cigna’s Saver Rx plan could be a competitive option in 2025.
Unlike Medicare Part A and Part B, Part D plans are sold by private insurance companies, and the plans’ costs, benefits and other features can vary significantly. First, confirm whether a plan covers your prescription drugs, then consider each potential plan option’s strengths and weaknesses.
NerdWallet compares and chooses the best Medicare Part D plans based on factors including quality ratings from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS), prices, cost-sharing requirements, formulary design and more. The best plans offer lower costs and higher ratings for quality and member satisfaction.
Find the right Medicare Part D prescription drug plan
The interactive tool on Medicare.gov can help you find a Medicare Part D plan that covers your prescriptions. It also helps you compare costs among Medicare Part D and Medicare Advantage plans available to you.
Here are some things to keep in mind when comparing plans:
Check the formulary: You’ll want to make sure the medicines you currently take and, importantly, any you think you might need in the future, are covered under each of the plans you’re considering. Talk to your health care providers about what brand-name and generic medicines to look for and any alternatives that may also work in case you can’t find your current medicines on the plans available in your area.
Look for plan changes: Formularies change frequently. Your insurer should send you a Notice of Plan Change when the formulary changes. Read that document carefully.
Check the pharmacy network: Most Medicare Part D plans negotiate with a network of pharmacies for the lowest cost. Check to see if your pharmacy or an equally convenient one is in the plan’s network. Also, compare prices for using mail order.
If your plan does change, and the change affects the prescription drugs you need, you can switch plans during Medicare's open enrollment period, Oct. 15 to Dec. 7. Changes go into effect on the following Jan. 1.
If you have additional questions about Medicare, visit Medicare.gov or call 800-MEDICARE (800-633-4227, TTY 877-486-2048).
Medicare Part D plan review methodology
NerdWallet’s Medicare Part D reviews are based on ratings data from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS), pricing, cost-sharing requirements, formulary design, consumer experience and more.
NerdWallet reviewed eight Medicare Part D insurance companies based on highest enrollment and greatest online search volume. Together, these eight companies cover about 92% of Medicare beneficiaries with stand-alone Medicare Part D plans, according to CMS data. We review at least five major Medicare Part D companies in every state in the United States.
These reviews are a guide, but we encourage you to shop around and compare several plans to find the best coverage and rate for you. NerdWallet does not receive compensation for any reviews. Read our editorial guidelines for additional information.
