The bottom line: Wellcare substantially reduced the availability of its $0-premium Medicare Part D plans, offering them in 17 states in 2026. Still, Wellcare’s prescription drug plans have the lowest average premiums and highest member satisfaction of any major competitor. Jump to: Full Review
Wellcare Medicare Part D pros and cons
Pros
- Low premiums: Wellcare Value Script plans with $0 premiums are available in 17 states, and Wellcare plans in general charge some of the lowest premiums in the country.
- Member experience: Wellcare’s government ratings for member satisfaction are notably higher than all of its major national competitors in 2026.
Cons
- Coinsurance requirements: Wellcare plans have coinsurance rather than copays for brand-name drugs, which could get expensive.
- Plan deductibles: Both Wellcare plans have a $615 deductible in 2026, which is up $25 from 2025.
Compare against other providers
» More options in our roundup of the best Medicare Part D plans
Compare against other providers
» More options in our roundup of the best Medicare Part D plans
Our full review
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NerdWallet star rating for Wellcare Medicare Part D
Wellcare’s prescription drug plans earned 5 out of 5 stars from NerdWallet. NerdWallet’s ratings are determined by our editorial team. The scoring formula takes into account premiums, out-of-pocket costs, government quality ratings, customer complaints and more.
Based on these ratings, Wellcare is one of NerdWallet’s top choices for best Medicare Part D plans in 2026.
Why NerdWallet star ratings differ from CMS star ratings
NerdWallet star ratings go beyond Medicare star ratings developed by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS).
Our data-driven, consumer-first scoring rubric factors in cost and customer complaints in addition to government quality data. This makes NerdWallet star ratings a more practical tool for seniors looking to find the best overall value.
Government quality ratings for Wellcare Part D
Average CMS star rating, weighted by enrollment: 3.5
Wellcare prescription drug plans are rated above the industry average, receiving an average rating of 3.5 out of 5 from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) for 2026, weighted by enrollment. For comparison, the average weighted CMS star rating for all plans is 3.04 stars.
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) maintains its own database of star ratings. Medicare Part D plans are rated on 12 quality measures. (You can find definitions for each of these factors in the CMS Star Ratings Technical Notes.)
These ratings use a 5-point scale where 5 is the best and 1 is the worst. The agency bases its ratings on drug plans’ quality of service and customer experiences, and ratings are updated annually.
You can find a plan’s rating with Medicare's plan finding tool.
Wellcare Medicare Part D prescription drug plans
Wellcare offers the following stand-alone Medicare Part D prescription drug plans (PDPs) for 2026:
Wellcare Value Script: Wellcare describes this plan as having “a low premium and $0 copays for Tier 1 prescriptions when filled at a preferred cost share pharmacy.”
Wellcare Classic: Wellcare describes this plan as “best suited to those who take only a few medications and seek a low monthly premium."
Medicare beneficiaries with Original Medicare (Part A and/or Part B) can purchase a Medicare Part D plan for prescription drug coverage. Part D plans are sold by private insurance companies. The costs and coverage can vary significantly, so it’s important to compare options.
Nearly 8.8 million Medicare beneficiaries have Wellcare Part D plans as of April 2026 — an increase of almost 1 million members since 2025.
More Nerdy Perspective
Is Wellcare Value Script a good drug plan?
Wellcare’s Value Script plan is hard to beat when it comes to both affordability and quality. It charges the lowest average premium of any major competitor, even with fewer $0-premium plans available this year. Wellcare also outperforms competitors when it comes to member satisfaction. But low premiums and happy members won’t benefit you if your drugs aren’t covered. Look up your drugs on the plan’s formulary before enrolling. If they’re covered at an affordable out-of-pocket cost, Wellcare’s Value Script Plan might be the best fit for you.
Wellcare’s Value Script plan is hard to beat when it comes to both affordability and quality. It charges the lowest average premium of any major competitor, even with fewer $0-premium plans available this year. Wellcare also outperforms competitors when it comes to member satisfaction. But low premiums and happy members won’t benefit you if your drugs aren’t covered. Look up your drugs on the plan’s formulary before enrolling. If they’re covered at an affordable out-of-pocket cost, Wellcare’s Value Script Plan might be the best fit for you.
Elizabeth Aldrichlead writer covering MedicareHow much does Wellcare Medicare Part D cost?
About 41% of Wellcare plans have a $0 premium.
Monthly premiums for Wellcare Medicare Part D plans range from $0 to $45.70. The average Wellcare Part D premium is $6.69, weighted by enrollment, according to NerdWallet analysis of 2026 CMS data.
Wellcare Value Script has a slightly lower premium, on average, and tends to be cheaper for Tier 1 and Tier 2 generic drugs. But Wellcare Classic may involve lower out-of-pocket costs for Tier 4 drugs. Below is a breakdown of the costs for each plan.
Wellcare Medicare Part D premiums and deductibles
Here are the 2026 premiums and deductibles for Wellcare’s stand-alone Medicare prescription drug plans:
Plan | Pricing |
|---|---|
Wellcare Value Script | Monthly premiums:
Annual deductible: $615. |
Wellcare Classic | Monthly premiums:
Annual deductible: $615. |
» If you have concerns about affording Medicare Part D, look into Medicare Extra Help. This federal program can cover up to 100% of Medicare Part D premiums and deductibles for qualifying beneficiaries with low income and limited resources.
You will pay less for your prescription drugs if you go to one of Wellcare’s preferred pharmacies. Wellcare’s preferred network includes CVS and Walgreens as well as a number of other pharmacies and grocery stores. Express Scripts Pharmacy is the preferred mail-order pharmacy.
Out-of-pocket costs
What you pay for deductibles and copays can vary depending on where your medication falls on the plan’s formulary. A formulary is the plan's list of covered drugs, organized by tiers. Having $0-deductible and $0-copay options can help you minimize your out-of-pocket costs.
Each Wellcare plan takes a different approach to these $0 options in 2026. Here's what you might pay for prescription drugs at some common price points:
Wellcare Value Script
Deductible
$0 on Tier 1 and Tier 2 drugs, $615 on all other tiers.
Average out-of-pocket cost*
$0 for Tier 1 (preferred generics).
$3 for Tier 2 (generics).
$50 for Tier 3 (preferred brands).
Wellcare Classic
Deductible
$615 on all tiers.
Average out-of-pocket cost*
$0 for Tier 1 (preferred generics).
$9.97 for Tier 2 (generics).
$50 for Tier 3 (preferred brands).
*After deductible is met, based on a $50 retail price for Tier 2 and $200 for Tier 3.
Cost-sharing requirements for higher tiers can quickly get more expensive, especially for higher tiers that charge coinsurance instead of copays. As a result, it’s important to check where your medications and pharmacies fall on each plan’s formulary.
Copay vs. coinsurance requirements
You’ll want to check whether you’ll pay a copay or coinsurance for your medications. Copays are set dollar amounts, so it’s easy to see what you’ll pay. Coinsurance is a percentage of the price for your medications, so coinsurance requirements can be more unpredictable and more expensive.
All of Wellcare’s 2026 Medicare Part D plans have copays for Tier 2 and coinsurance for Tiers 3 to 5. The Wellcare Value Script plan includes a sixth tier for select care drugs for specific chronic conditions. Tier 6 drugs have a copay.
You can enter your medications and pharmacy information on Wellcare’s website to see which drugs are covered and review your estimated costs with different Wellcare prescription drug plan options.
» MORE: How much does Medicare Part D cost?
Wellcare Medicare Part D service area
Stand-alone Medicare prescription drug plans from Wellcare are available in all 50 states and Washington, D.C.
Wellcare offers both of its Medicare Part D plan options in all of its markets.
About Wellcare
Wellcare was founded in 1985 and became a subsidiary of Centene in 2020. The company's headquarters are in Tampa, Florida. Wellcare offers coverage through Medicare Advantage and Medicare prescription drug plans.
» MORE: Read our review of Wellcare Medicare Advantage
Compare Medicare Part D companies
Get more information below about some of the major Medicare Part D companies. These insurers offer plans in most states, but specifics may vary depending on your location.
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.
If you have additional questions about Medicare, visit Medicare.gov or call 800-MEDICARE (800-633-4227, TTY 877-486-2048).
Best for low premiums
- Lowest premiums of any national competitor.
- Better member experience than other national competitors.
- Coinsurance rather than copays for brand-name drugs could get pricey.
- High-end Wellcare Value Plus plan no longer available.
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 Apr 16, 2026.
- 2.Wellcare. Wellcare Value Script (PDP). Accessed Apr 16, 2026.
- 3.Wellcare. Wellcare Classic (PDP). Accessed Apr 16, 2026.
- 4.Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services. PDP Plan Directory. Accessed Apr 16, 2026.
- 5.Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services. CY2026 Landscape (202603). Accessed Apr 16, 2026.
- 6.Wellcare. 2026 Summary of Benefits. Accessed Apr 16, 2026.
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.
Complaint data.
We calculate each health insurance company’s rating on a curved 5-point scale. NerdWallet's editorial team reviewed five Medicare Part D insurance companies. We chose companies based on high enrollment and online search volume. Together, these companies cover over 86% of stand-alone commercial Medicare Part D beneficiaries. Our research includes at least four major insurers in every state.
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.
Compare Medicare Part D Plans
Insurance company | CMS star rating | Out-of-pocket costs | Member experience | Learn more | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
BEST FOR LOW OUT-OF-POCKET COSTS | |||||
(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 |
BEST FOR LOW 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 GENERIC DRUGS | |||||
(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 (Below 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 LOW DEDUCTIBLES | |||||
 (855) 432-0512 / TTY 711 M-F 9AM-9PM, Sat 10AM-6PM ETSpeak to a licensed insurance agent on askchapter.orgon NerdWallet | 2.37 | 2.37/5 | Average | 2.29 (Below average) | (855) 432-0512 / TTY 711 M-F 9AM-9PM, Sat 10AM-6PM ETSpeak to a licensed insurance agent on askchapter.orgon NerdWallet |