How to Look Up Drug Prices on Medicare.gov
Medicare.gov has a free tool that lets you compare what different Part D plans would charge for your specific medications. Here's how to use it.
4 min read · 5 steps · Checked April 2026
Step 1. Gather Your Medication List First
Write down all prescription medications you currently take, including the exact name (generic or brand), dosage, and how often you take them (e.g., "metformin 500mg twice daily"). You'll enter this information into the Medicare Plan Finder. Your pharmacy or doctor can give you a printed medication list if you need help.
Step 2. Go to the Medicare Plan Finder
In a web browser, go to medicare.gov/plan-compare. You can use it without signing in. Enter your zip code when prompted. Choose "Drug plan (Part D)" — not Advantage plan — unless you're looking at Medicare Advantage plans that include drug coverage.
Step 3. Enter Your Medications
Click "Add Drugs." Type the name of each medication in the search box — the tool suggests drug names as you type. Select the correct medication, then select the strength and form (tablet, capsule, liquid, etc.). Enter how many pills you take per month and click "Add drug." Repeat for each medication.
Quick Tip
Include all prescription medications, even ones you take rarely or only when needed. Costs can vary widely based on what's on each plan's formulary.
Step 4. Enter Your Pharmacy
After adding medications, click "Add a pharmacy." Search by zip code or pharmacy name. Select the pharmacy you use. If you use mail-order pharmacy, select that option — mail order often costs less for maintenance medications.
Step 5. Compare Plans and Enroll
The tool shows available Part D plans ranked by estimated yearly cost — your total cost including premiums, deductibles, and drug costs for your specific medication list. Look at "Total estimated annual drug cost" to compare. Click any plan for details. To enroll, click "Enroll" on the plan page, or call 1-800-MEDICARE (1-800-633-4227).
Warning
Only switch plans during Open Enrollment (October 15 – December 7) or a Special Enrollment Period. Switching outside those windows generally isn't allowed except for specific qualifying events.
Medicare.gov has a free plan finder tool that lets you compare prescription drug costs across all Medicare Part D plans available in your area. This tool can save you hundreds or thousands of dollars per year — but most people don't know it exists or how to use it.
Part D is Medicare's prescription drug coverage. It's offered through private insurance companies that have contracted with Medicare. The plans vary a lot in what they cost and which drugs they cover. Two plans might charge very different amounts for the same medication.
The Medicare Plan Finder at medicare.gov/plan-compare lets you enter your specific medications and find which Part D plan covers them at the lowest total cost for you. It factors in monthly premiums (what you pay every month regardless of use), deductibles (what you pay before coverage kicks in), and copays (what you pay per prescription).
You can use this tool even if you're already enrolled in Part D — comparing annually is smart because drug prices and plan formularies (lists of covered drugs) change every year. Open enrollment for Medicare Part D runs from October 15 to December 7 each year.
To use the tool effectively, you'll need a list of your current medications (exact names and dosages) and your zip code. You can use the tool without logging in, but logging in with your Medicare.gov account shows your specific plan details and Medicare Summary Notice.
Pharmacies matter too — the tool asks which pharmacy you use. The same plan might have different costs depending on whether you use a retail pharmacy or mail order, and whether your pharmacy is "preferred" in the plan's network.
Official sources
- Medicare.gov — medicare.gov
- SSA.gov — ssa.gov
- IRS.gov — irs.gov
- USA.gov — usa.gov
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