Best Medicare Part D plans at a glance
Humana and Wellcare are NerdWallet’s highest-rated Medicare Part D companies in 2026, both earning 5 out of 5 stars in our data-backed analysis. While these two companies lead the pack, HealthSpring and UnitedHealthcare stand out as top picks in specific categories.
Best for low out-of-pocket costs: Humana.
Best for low premiums: Wellcare.
Best for generic drugs: HealthSpring.
Best for low deductibles: UnitedHealthcare (AARP).
NerdWallet's editorial team analyzed plans covering 86% of Medicare Part D members. We picked 2026’s best Medicare Part D plans based on cost, quality, member satisfaction and more.
45+ Medicare companies and brands analyzed by our team of experts.
30+ years of combined experience covering Medicare and personal finance.
Governed by NerdWallet's strict guidelines for editorial integrity.
NerdWallet’s Medicare content, including articles, reviews and recommendations, is produced by a team of writers and editors who specialize in Medicare. Their work has appeared in The Associated Press, Washington Post, Nasdaq, MSN, MarketWatch, Yahoo! Finance and other national and regional media outlets. They have been cited in publications including Healthline, and appeared on NerdWallet's "Smart Money" podcast.
Best Medicare Part D companies in 2026
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 |
Best for low premiums: Wellcare Medicare Part D
- 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.
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.
What you should know
Wellcare offers low-cost plans with government quality and member experience ratings that beat every major national competitor in 2026.
The Wellcare Value Script plan might be a particularly great fit for people on a budget, provided their medications are covered. It has the lowest average premium of any plan we analyzed and features minimal out-of-pocket costs for most generic drugs.
Pros
- Lower average premiums than any other national competitor.
- Better member experience than other national companies.
Cons
- Coinsurance for brand-name drugs could get pricey.
- No low-deductible plan.
Best for low out-of-pocket costs: Humana Medicare Part D
- $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 scores highly because it offers low or no out-of-pocket costs across multiple drug tiers and $0-premium plans in more states than any competitor.
What you should know
Humana expanded its $0-premium offerings to 27 states and Washington, D.C., in 2026. The company's Premier plan, which offers a $0 deductible, has expensive premiums, but its Value and Basic plans have far lower premiums that start at $0.
Notably, Humana Value Rx is the only plan we analyzed that offers $0 out-of-pocket costs for both Tier 1 and Tier 2 drugs at preferred pharmacies. Humana’s member satisfaction is solid, and it has lower complaint rates than most competitors. But it's worth noting that it has average government quality ratings from the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) 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
What’s the best Medicare prescription drug plan for 2026?
Wellcare and Humana are clear winners when it comes to the best Medicare Part D companies in 2026. Wellcare's low premiums make it a go-to option for budget-conscious shoppers. And you can save without sacrificing on care because it's got the highest government quality and member satisfaction ratings in our analysis. Then you’ve got Humana, which has $0-premium plans in more states than any competitor, and a Value Rx plan that features $0 out-of-pocket costs on more drug tiers than others we reviewed. But every plan’s formulary is different, and the best Medicare drug plan for you is one that covers your drugs at an affordable cost. This might mean choosing a company other than our top two, even if it requires a compromise on premiums or quality.
Wellcare and Humana are clear winners when it comes to the best Medicare Part D companies in 2026. Wellcare's low premiums make it a go-to option for budget-conscious shoppers. And you can save without sacrificing on care because it's got the highest government quality and member satisfaction ratings in our analysis. Then you’ve got Humana, which has $0-premium plans in more states than any competitor, and a Value Rx plan that features $0 out-of-pocket costs on more drug tiers than others we reviewed. But every plan’s formulary is different, and the best Medicare drug plan for you is one that covers your drugs at an affordable cost. This might mean choosing a company other than our top two, even if it requires a compromise on premiums or quality.
Elizabeth Aldrichlead writer covering MedicareBest for generic drugs: HealthSpring (formerly Cigna) Medicare Part D
- $0-premium plans are available in 11 states.
- High-end plan has $0-deductible and $0-copay options.
- Government quality ratings are below average.
- Premiums generally aren't competitive.
Why we picked it
HealthSpring plans feature some of the lowest out-of-pocket costs on Tier 1 and Tier 2 drugs, making it a worthy contender for anyone who primarily takes generic medications.
What you should know
HealthSpring (formerly Cigna) Medicare Part D plans offer $0 premiums in some states, and they have some of the lowest out-of-pocket costs for most generics. If you take multiple drugs that fall into HealthSpring’s Tier 1 and Tier 2 categories, this provider could be more affordable than competitors.
But HealthSpring doesn’t offer the cheapest premiums in general, and it gets below-average quality ratings in 2026.
Note: Cigna plans were renamed as HealthSpring plans in 2026 because Cigna sold its Medicare business.
Pros
- $0-premium plans available in 11 states.
- Low out-of-pocket costs on generics, plus a $0 deductible on Tier 1 and Tier 2 drugs with the Extra Rx plan.
Cons
- Government quality ratings are below average.
- No low-cost plan available in 2026.
Best for low deductibles: AARP Medicare Part D Plans from UnitedHealthcare
- Medicare Rx Preferred plan offers extensive coverage and a low deductible.
- Simplified plan choices.
- Average plan premiums are high compared to competitors.
- Below-average ratings for member satisfaction.
- Limited $0-copay options.
Why we picked it
UnitedHealthcare has the lowest average Part D deductible in our analysis. Its popular AARP Medicare Rx Preferred plan has a $130 deductible that’s waived for Tier 1 and Tier 2 drugs in all 50 states.
What you should know
UnitedHealthcare’s AARP Medicare Rx plans are widely available and tend to have lower out-of-pocket costs on preferred brand-name drugs than competitors. The company’s Preferred plan also has a lower deductible than most if you live in the 50 states or Washington, D.C.
But UnitedHealthcare’s premiums are high, and it gets below-average quality ratings and low member satisfaction ratings from the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS).
Pros
- Plans are available in all 50 states, Washington, D.C. and five U.S. territories.
- Low-deductible plan option.
Cons
- Premiums are pricey compared to similar plans.
- Below-average government ratings for quality and member satisfaction.
- Only the higher-end Preferred plan has $0-copay options.
How we choose the best Medicare Part D plans
🏢 5 companies reviewed covering 86% of beneficiaries
📝 371 unique Medicare Part D plans compared
🔢 14,000+ unique data points analyzed
📊 Star rating categories
NerdWallet's editorial team evaluates Medicare Part D insurance companies to find strengths, weaknesses and the best value for customers. Our Medicare Part D rubric includes a range of metrics in three major categories:
💰 Cost (50%). We evaluate plans’ premiums, deductibles and out-of-pocket costs for prescription drugs across multiple formulary tiers.
🗣️ Member experience (25%). We compare plans’ member experience based on CMS data and complaint rates.
📈 Quality (25%). We compare plans’ performance on CMS star ratings, weighted by enrollment.
⭐ What our star ratings mean
Companies with 5 stars are exceptional, with low premiums, competitive out-of-pocket costs, good quality ratings and happy members.
Companies in the 4.5 star range are excellent, but might trail leaders' performance on one or two factors.
Companies with around 4 stars are strong performers that might not be as well rounded as higher-rated competitors.
Companies with 3.5 stars or fewer could do better in certain criteria, like pricing and customer complaints.
NerdWallet does not receive compensation for our star ratings or our reviews. Read more about our Medicare Part D ratings methodology and editorial guidelines.
How to find the right Medicare Part D prescription drug plan
Here are some tips to help you choose the best Medicare prescription drug plan for your needs:
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 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.
Use the Medicare plan finder tool: 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.
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).
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 27, 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.