Best Medicare Part D plans at a glance
Best for low average premiums: Wellcare.
For 2026, Wellcare is the company to beat when it comes to charging the lowest premiums on average. Wellcare also outscores every large competitor on government quality ratings.
Best for $0 premiums: Humana.
Humana stands out for offering $0-premium Medicare Part D plans in over half of states. It’s also the only large national company to offer a $0-deductible plan.
NerdWallet's editorial team analyzed plans covering nearly 90% of Medicare Part D members. We picked 2026’s best Medicare Part D plans based on cost, quality, member satisfaction and more.
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Insurance company | CMS star rating | Out-of-pocket costs | Member experience | Learn more | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
BEST FOR LOW AVERAGE PREMIUMS | |||||
 (855) 432-0512 / TTY 711 M-F 9AM-9PM, Sat 10AM-6PM ETSpeak to a licensed insurance agent on askchapter.orgon NerdWallet | 3.50 | 3.50/5 | Varies | 3.5 (Above average) | (855) 432-0512 / TTY 711 M-F 9AM-9PM, Sat 10AM-6PM ETSpeak to a licensed insurance agent on askchapter.orgon NerdWallet |
BEST FOR $0 PREMIUMS | |||||
 (855) 432-0512 / TTY 711 M-F 9AM-9PM, Sat 10AM-6PM ETSpeak to a licensed insurance agent on askchapter.orgon NerdWallet | 3.00 | 3.00/5 | Lower than average | 3 (Average) | (855) 432-0512 / TTY 711 M-F 9AM-9PM, Sat 10AM-6PM ETSpeak to a licensed insurance agent on askchapter.orgon NerdWallet |
 (855) 432-0512 / TTY 711 M-F 9AM-9PM, Sat 10AM-6PM ETSpeak to a licensed insurance agent on http://askchapter.orgon NerdWallet | 3.00 | 3.00/5 | Higher than average | 1.5 (Below average) | (855) 432-0512 / TTY 711 M-F 9AM-9PM, Sat 10AM-6PM ETSpeak to a licensed insurance agent on http://askchapter.orgon NerdWallet |
 (855) 432-0512 / TTY 711 M-F 9AM-9PM, Sat 10AM-6PM ETSpeak to a licensed insurance agent on askchapter.orgon NerdWallet | 2.50 | 2.50/5 | Average | 2.68 (Average) | (855) 432-0512 / TTY 711 M-F 9AM-9PM, Sat 10AM-6PM ETSpeak to a licensed insurance agent on askchapter.orgon NerdWallet |
- Lowest premiums of any national competitor.
- Star ratings beat other national competitors.
- Coinsurance rather than copays for brand-name drugs could get pricey.
- High-end Wellcare Value Plus plan no longer available.
Why we picked it: Low premiums could be attractive to anyone, and both of Wellcare’s plans come with some of the lowest average premiums in the country. Wellcare Value Script might be a great fit for people on a fixed income or minding their budgets.
Wellcare stood out on measures of:
Quality improvement.
Rating of drug plan.
Price accuracy.
Medication adherence for hypertension and cholesterol.
The bottom line: Wellcare offers low-cost plans with solid quality ratings. Wellcare Value Script has $0 premiums in 17 states, and the average Wellcare plan premium is $8.16. Wellcare's government star ratings beat every major national competitor.
Pros
- Lower average premiums than any other national competitor.
- Star ratings beat other national companies.
Cons
- Coinsurance for brand-name drugs could get pricey.
- No low-deductible plan.
- $0-premium plans available in over half of states.
- Generous $0-copay and $0-deductible options.
- High prices for the higher-end Premier plan.
- Poor scores for accuracy of drug price estimates.
Why we picked it: Humana offers $0-premium plans in more states than any competitor. For some, the company’s Value Rx plan could be a sweet spot for affordable premiums and low out-of-pocket costs.
Humana stood out on measures of:
Few members choosing to leave.
Medication adherence for cholesterol.
Medication therapy management program completion rates.
The bottom line: Humana is expanding its $0-premium offerings to 27 states and Washington, D.C. in 2026. The Humana Value Rx plan has more drug tiers with $0 out-of-pocket costs than many competitors. But Humana’s member satisfaction has taken a dip, and it gets average star ratings in 2026.
Pros
- $0-premium plans available in 27 states.
- Generous $0-copay and $0-deductible options.
Cons
- Pricey high-end Premier plan.
- Poor scores for accuracy of drug price estimates.
More Nerdy Perspective
I picked Wellcare and Humana for the top Medicare Part D companies in 2026. Wellcare's plans have the lowest average premiums and highest quality ratings. But Humana offers $0 premiums in more states than any competitor, and its Value Rx plan comes with $0 out-of-pocket costs on multiple drug tiers.
The best Medicare drug plan for you is one that covers your drugs at an affordable cost. This might be a company other than Wellcare or Humana, which could mean compromising on premiums and/or quality.
Additional Medicare Part D companies
These companies aren’t our top picks this year, but they might be worth a look to see whether they’re a good fit.
AARP Medicare Part D Plans from UnitedHealthcare
- Medicare Rx Preferred plan offers extensive coverage.
- Simplified plan choices.
- Average plan premiums are high compared to competitors.
- Below-average ratings for member satisfaction.
- Only the higher-end Preferred plan has $0-copay options.
AARP stood out on measures of:
Accurate price estimates.
Medication therapy management program completion rates.
The bottom line: AARP Medicare Rx plans are widely available, and the company offers both a basic and high-end option. But high premiums and low member satisfaction scores make it less competitive.
Pros
- Plans are available in all 50 states, Washington, D.C. and five U.S. territories.
- Simplified plan choices.
Cons
- Premiums are pricey compared to similar plans.
- Below-average ratings for member satisfaction.
- Only the higher-end Preferred plan has $0-copay options.
Aetna SilverScript Medicare Part D Plans
- Simplified pharmacy network with uniform out-of-pocket costs.
- Just one plan choice.
- No $0-deductible options.
- Below-average ratings for member satisfaction.
Aetna stood out on measures of:
Quality improvement.
Few members choosing to leave.
The bottom line: Aetna SilverScript plans offer a simplified pharmacy network with the same out-of-pocket costs at all in-network pharmacies, and Aetna’s quality ratings are decent. But its member satisfaction rating is low, and the SilverScript Choice plan doesn’t offer the most competitive prices.
Pros
- Simplified pharmacy network.
Cons
- No $0-deductible formulary tiers.
- Low member satisfaction.
HealthSpring (formerly Cigna) Medicare Part D
- $0-premium plans are available in 11 states.
- High-end plan has $0-deductible and $0-copay options.
- Star ratings are below average.
- Premiums generally aren't competitive.
HealthSpring stood out on measures of:
Accurate price estimates.
Medication therapy management program completion rates.
The bottom line: Cigna plans will become HealthSpring in 2026 because Cigna sold its Medicare business. HealthSpring Medicare Part D plans get below-average star ratings in 2026, and their average premiums aren’t the lowest. But HealthSpring’s mid-range plan offers $0 premiums in 11 states, and its high-end plan has some $0-deductible and $0-copay drug tiers.
Pros
- $0-premium plans available in 11 states.
- $0 deductible on Tier 1 and 2 drugs with the Extra Rx plan.
Cons
- Star ratings are below average.
- No low-cost plan available in 2026.
What’s the best way to compare Part D plans?
Medicare Part D plans are sold by private insurance companies. 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 CMS.
Prices.
Out-of-pocket costs.
Formulary design.
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: Make sure the medicines you currently take are covered. Talk to your health care providers about what medications to look for. You might also also want to check for possible alternatives and/or drugs you think you might need in the future.
Look for plan changes: Formularies (lists of covered drugs) 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 have networks of lower-cost pharmacies. Check to see if the plan's pharmacies are convenient for you. Also, compare prices for using mail order.
You can switch plans during Medicare's open enrollment period, Oct. 15 to Dec. 7. Changes go into effect on the following Jan. 1.
» MORE: How much does Medicare Part D cost
You may be eligible for Medicare plans during a special enrollment period if you are turning 65, new to Medicare plans, moving or losing coverage.
If you have additional questions about Medicare, visit Medicare.gov or call 800-MEDICARE (800-633-4227, TTY 877-486-2048).
Article sources
NerdWallet writers are subject matter authorities who use primary, trustworthy sources to inform their work, including peer-reviewed studies, government websites, academic research and interviews with industry experts. All content is fact-checked for accuracy, timeliness and relevance. You can learn more about NerdWallet's high standards for journalism by reading our editorial guidelines.
- 1.NerdWallet analysis of CMS data. 2026 Star Ratings Data Tables. Accessed Oct 14, 2025.
Medicare Part D plan review methodology
NerdWallet’s Medicare Part D reviews are based on:
Ratings data from CMS.
Pricing.
Out-of-pocket costs.
Formulary tiers.
Member experience.
NerdWallet reviewed six Medicare Part D insurance companies. We chose companies based on high enrollment and online search volume. Together, these companies cover over 95% of stand-alone commercial Medicare Part D beneficiaries.
These reviews are a guide. We encourage you to shop around and compare several plans.
NerdWallet does not receive compensation for any reviews. Read our editorial guidelines for more information.