Best Medicare Part D plans at a glance
Best for $0 premiums: Wellcare.
For 2025, widely available $0 premiums make Wellcare the company to beat. Wellcare also outscores large competitors on government quality ratings.
Best for member experience: Humana.
Humana Medicare Part D plans stand out on measures of member experience. They also have solid quality ratings overall.
NerdWallet analyzed plans covering over 95% of Medicare Part D members. We picked 2025’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 $0 PREMIUMS | |||||
 (855) 432-0512 / TTY 711 M-F 9AM-9PM, Sat 10AM-6PM ETSpeak to a licensed insurance agent on askchapter.orgon NerdWallet | 3.50 | 3.50/5 | Varies | 3.0 (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 MEMBER EXPERIENCE | |||||
 (855) 432-0512 / TTY 711 M-F 9AM-9PM, Sat 10AM-6PM ETSpeak to a licensed insurance agent on askchapter.orgon NerdWallet | 3.49 | 3.49/5 | Varies | 4.46 (Above 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 askchapter.orgon NerdWallet | 3.25 | 3.25/5 | Higher than average | 3.0 (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 askchapter.orgon NerdWallet | 2.85 | 2.85/5 | Average | 2.87 (Average) | (855) 432-0512 / TTY 711 M-F 9AM-9PM, Sat 10AM-6PM ETSpeak to a licensed insurance agent on askchapter.orgon NerdWallet |
- $0-premium plans available in most states.
- Star ratings beat other national competitors.
- 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.
Why we picked it: $0 premiums could be attractive to anyone. 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.
Call center language and hearing services.
Statin use in people with diabetes.
The bottom line: Wellcare offers low-cost plans with solid quality ratings. Wellcare Value Script has $0 premiums in 42 states and Washington, D.C. And Wellcare's government star ratings beat every major national competitor.
Pros
- $0-premium plans offered in most states.
- Star ratings beat other national companies.
Cons
- Coinsurance for brand-name drugs could get pricey.
- Wellcare Value Plus no longer has a $0 deductible for all covered drugs.
Best for member experience: Humana Medicare Part D
- High scores for member experience.
- 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 Medicare Part D plans get much better ratings for member experience than competitors’ plans.
Humana stood out on measures of:
Members getting the drugs they need.
Members' rating of their plans.
Medication therapy management program completion rates.
The bottom line: Humana holds onto solid star ratings in 2025. (Many other companies' scores have fallen.) The Humana Value Rx plan offers more drug tiers with $0 out-of-pocket costs than many competitors. But expensive premiums for the higher-end Premier Rx plan make it less competitive.
Pros
- High scores for member experience.
- Generous $0-copay and $0-deductible options.
Cons
- Pricey higher-end Premier plan.
- Poor scores for accuracy of drug price estimates.
More Nerdy Perspective
I picked two top Medicare Part D companies for 2025. First, Wellcare’s Value Script plan has good star ratings and $0 premiums in most states. Second, Humana gets great government ratings for members’ experience with its plans. The best Part D plan for you should cover your drugs at a price you can afford. The best fit could come from a company other than Wellcare or Humana, but there might be some compromises for cost 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 is less expensive than competing high-end plans.
- Simplified plan choices.
- 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.
AARP stood out on measures of:
Accurate price estimates.
Call center language and hearing services.
Low complaint rates.
The bottom line: AARP Medicare Rx plans are widely available, and the higher-end Medicare Rx Preferred plan costs less than major competitors. But high premiums for the Medicare Rx Saver plan make it less competitive. AARP's 2025 star ratings are a little below average.
Pros
- Medicare Rx Preferred is cheaper than competing high-end plans.
- Simplified plan choices.
Cons
- Medicare Rx Saver is pricey for a lower-end plan.
- Below-average ratings for medication management.
- Only the higher-end Preferred plan has $0-copay options.
December update
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) revised UnitedHealthcare’s 2025 star ratings in December 2024. Per a court order, CMS removed disputed data from the calculations. We’ve updated this roundup accordingly.
Anthem Medicare Part D
- Members have few complaints and rarely choose to leave.
- Strong ratings for medication management.
- High premiums.
- Available in only 13 states.
Anthem stood out on measures of:
Few members choosing to leave.
Medication therapy management program completion rates.
Helping members get and take statins for cholesterol.
The bottom line: Anthem MediBlue Rx plans have above-average government quality ratings. Premiums are on the higher side, but Anthem’s Part D plans receive few complaints. Anthem scores well for helping members get and take their medications.
Pros
- Members have few complaints and rarely choose to leave.
- Strong ratings for medication management.
Cons
- High premiums.
- Available in only 13 states.
Cigna Medicare Part D
- 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.
- Star ratings are slightly below average.
- Lowest copays might require ordering 90-day supplies by mail.
Cigna stood out on measures of:
Accurate price estimates.
Quality improvement.
Members’ rating of their plans.
The bottom line: Cigna Medicare Part D plans get slightly below-average star ratings in 2025. But Cigna also offers lower premiums than many competitors. The Cigna Saver Rx plan is among the cheapest on the market. If a Cigna Medicare Part D plan covers your medications, it could be a good value.
Pros
- Cigna Saver Rx is one of the cheapest Part D plans.
- Tier 1 drugs have $0 copays.
Cons
- Star ratings are slightly below average.
- Lowest copays might require mail order.
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. 2025 Star Ratings Data Tables. Accessed Apr 17, 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.