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Best Medicare Part D Prescription Drug Plans in 2024
These Medicare Part D plans stand out for member satisfaction and low premiums.
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 Stoughton, 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.
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Medicare Part D plans cover prescription drugs. Medicare beneficiaries with Medicare Part A and/or Part B are eligible to buy a Part D plan to add prescription drug coverage to Original Medicare.
During Medicare open enrollment — Oct. 15 to Dec. 7, 2023 — you can shop for Medicare Part D plans that will start in 2024. Plans often change their pricing and coverage from year to year, so it's a good idea to shop and compare your options during this time.
And if you're new to Medicare, it’s best to sign up for Medicare prescription drug coverage as soon as you’re eligible, though Part D is technically optional. If you don’t buy a Medicare Part D plan or a Medicare Advantage plan with prescription drug coverage, you’re responsible for the full cost of your medications, and there are permanent cost penalties if you sign up late
Many Medicare Advantage plans, also called Medicare Part C plans, offer prescription drug coverage, so generally only Original Medicare members need to shop for a separate Part D plan. You can’t combine most types of Medicare Advantage plans with a stand-alone Medicare Part D plan. You can, however, buy a Part D plan if you have a Medicare Supplement Insurance plan that doesn’t cover prescription drugs
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. It’s important to confirm whether a plan covers your prescription drugs, then you’ll want to consider each plan’s strengths and weaknesses.
NerdWallet compares and evaluates Medicare prescription drug plans based on factors including quality ratings from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS), prices, cost-sharing requirements, formulary design and more.
Insurance company
CMS Star Rating
Average Medicare star rating, weighted by enrollment. Star ratings are determined by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS).
Out-of-pocket costs
Based on how frequent and how high a company's copays, coinsurance and deductibles are in comparison to other insurance companies.
Member experience
The average of CMS' star ratings for quality measures in the domain "Member Experience with the Drug Plan," weighted by contract enrollment.
Best for member satisfaction: AARP/UnitedHealthcare Medicare Part D
AARP/UnitedHealthcare
3.29
CMS Star RatingAverage Medicare star rating, weighted by enrollment. Star ratings are determined by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS).
AARP/UnitedHealthcare Medicare Part D plans are widely available and get average quality ratings from CMS, especially for member satisfaction. Premiums can get expensive, however, and ratings for helping members with their medications aren't as strong.
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.
2.94 (Average)
Pros
Available everywhere in the U.S. and in several U.S. territories.
Few complaints and few members choosing to leave.
Copays rather than coinsurance for Tier 1-3 drugs in most plans.
Cons
Competitors often offer cheaper plans.
Below-average ratings for helping members fill and manage prescriptions.
$0-copay options available only with the most expensive plan.
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.
2.94 (Average)
Pros
Available everywhere in the U.S. and in several U.S. territories.
Few complaints and few members choosing to leave.
Copays rather than coinsurance for Tier 1-3 drugs in most plans.
Cons
Competitors often offer cheaper plans.
Below-average ratings for helping members fill and manage prescriptions.
$0-copay options available only with the most expensive plan.
Top quality measures that outperformed the national average
Call center foreign language interpreter and TTY availability.
Medicare plan finder price accuracy.
Standout feature: AARP/UnitedHealthcare Medicare Part D plans get few complaints, have few members that choose to leave and outperform several competitors on surveys about members’ experience with the plan.
CMS Star RatingAverage Medicare star rating, weighted by enrollment. Star ratings are determined by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS).
Wellcare’s Part D plans are inexpensive, and their quality ratings have improved significantly since previous years.
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.
4.0 (Above average)
Pros
Low prices, and even some $0-premium plans.
Quality ratings are much better than in previous years.
Multiple $0-deductible plan options.
Cons
Underperformed on ratings for online pricing accuracy and member complaints.
Coinsurance for brand-name drugs could be pricey.
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.
4.0 (Above average)
Pros
Low prices, and even some $0-premium plans.
Quality ratings are much better than in previous years.
Multiple $0-deductible plan options.
Cons
Underperformed on ratings for online pricing accuracy and member complaints.
Coinsurance for brand-name drugs could be pricey.
Top quality measures that outperformed the national average
Call center foreign language interpreter and TTY availability.
Getting needed prescription drugs.
Drug plan quality improvement.
Standout feature: Wellcare has the least expensive Medicare Part D plans on the market in 2024. In some locations, there’s even a Wellcare option with a $0 premium
CMS Star RatingAverage Medicare star rating, weighted by enrollment. Star ratings are determined by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS).
Humana Medicare Part D plans tend to cost more than competitors' offerings, and they have average star ratings from CMS. Humana outperforms competitors on foreign language interpreter and TTY availability in call centers, but falls behind on most other quality measures.
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.
2.5 (Below average)
Pros
$0 deductibles are available for drugs on multiple tiers with some plans.
Highest ratings for foreign language interpreter and TTY availability in call centers.
Cons
Prices tend to be higher than what competitors offer.
Below-average ratings on 9 out of 12 Part D quality measures.
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.
2.5 (Below average)
Pros
$0 deductibles are available for drugs on multiple tiers with some plans.
Highest ratings for foreign language interpreter and TTY availability in call centers.
Cons
Prices tend to be higher than what competitors offer.
Below-average ratings on 9 out of 12 Part D quality measures.
Top quality measures that outperformed the national average
Call center foreign language interpreter and TTY availability.
Few complaints about the drug plan.
Drug plan quality improvement.
Summary for 2024: Humana gets middle-of-the-road star ratings for its Medicare Part D plans in 2024. Prices are generally on the high side, but they can vary between states. Humana’s call center got top ratings for foreign language interpreter and TTY availability, so it could be a good option for members who might need those services.
CMS Star RatingAverage Medicare star rating, weighted by enrollment. Star ratings are determined by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS).
Aetna no longer has the lowest Part D premiums on the market (that's Wellcare for 2024), but its prices are still lower than most, and some of its out-of-pocket costs have come down. The company gets average star ratings from CMS.
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.
2.5 (Below average)
Pros
Premiums are lower than most competitors.
Identical cost-sharing for in-person and mail-order prescription fills.
The SmartSaver plan has a lower deductible and smaller copays than previous years.
Cons
No longer the cheapest on the market.
Weak ratings for helping members get and take medications.
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.
2.5 (Below average)
Pros
Premiums are lower than most competitors.
Identical cost-sharing for in-person and mail-order prescription fills.
The SmartSaver plan has a lower deductible and smaller copays than previous years.
Cons
No longer the cheapest on the market.
Weak ratings for helping members get and take medications.
Top quality measures that outperformed or tied the national average
Call center foreign language interpreter and TTY availability.
Few members choosing to leave the drug plan.
Medication adherence for cholesterol (statins).
Summary for 2024: Aetna’s biggest differentiator in previous years has been its rock-bottom premiums, but Wellcare undercuts Aetna’s prices in 2024. Aetna’s premiums are lower than most other competitors, though, and some of its copays and deductibles are lower than in the past. Star ratings for 2024 are average.
CMS Star RatingAverage Medicare star rating, weighted by enrollment. Star ratings are determined by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS).
Cigna's quality ratings from CMS are lower for 2024, and all of its 2024 plans are at least 33% more expensive than the 2023 versions. But Cigna performs well on certain measures of customer experience, and all plans still have $0-copay options for Tier 1 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.
Average
Member experienceThe average of CMS' star ratings for quality measures in the domain "Member Experience with the Drug Plan," weighted by contract enrollment.
3.56 (Above average)
Pros
Tier 1 generic drugs are available for $0 copays with all Cigna plans.
Cigna beats the industry average on the quality measures CMS uses to evaluate member experience.
Cons
Prices are significantly higher for all of Cigna's 2024 plans, and more drugs have coinsurance rather than copays.
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.
3.56 (Above average)
Pros
Tier 1 generic drugs are available for $0 copays with all Cigna plans.
Cigna beats the industry average on the quality measures CMS uses to evaluate member experience.
Cons
Prices are significantly higher for all of Cigna's 2024 plans, and more drugs have coinsurance rather than copays.
Lowest copays might require ordering 90-day supplies by mail.
Top quality measures that outperformed or tied the national average
Summary for 2024: All of Cigna’s Medicare Part D plans are significantly more expensive in 2024, and their quality ratings from CMS have declined. But they beat many competitors on certain measures of member experience, and $0-copay options for Tier 1 generic drugs could be attractive.
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.
