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    Government & Civic
    Intermediate
    3 min read 6 stepsJuly 11, 2026Verified July 2026

    How to Compare Medicare Plans Online During Open Enrollment

    Use the official Medicare Plan Finder at medicare.gov to compare drug and health plan costs before the October 15 to December 7 enrollment window.

    At a Glance

    Category
    Government & Civic
    Difficulty
    Intermediate
    Read Time
    3 min read
    Steps
    6
    Topics covered
    medicare
    open enrollment
    healthcare
    government
    insurance

    In this guide (6 steps):

    1. 1.Go to the official Plan Finder
    2. 2.Enter your ZIP code and current coverage
    3. 3.List every medication you take
    4. 4.Add your preferred pharmacy
    5. 5.Compare plans by estimated total yearly cost
    6. 6.Get free help if you want a second opinion
    1

    Go to the official Plan Finder

    ~15s
    Type medicare.gov/plan-compare directly into your browser. You can search either as a guest or by logging into your existing Medicare account for a comparison that's pre-filled with your current coverage.
    2

    Enter your ZIP code and current coverage

    ~15s
    The tool asks for your ZIP code first, since available plans vary by county, then asks whether you currently have Original Medicare, a Medicare Advantage plan, or a standalone Part D drug plan.
    3

    List every medication you take

    ~21s
    This is the most important step for an accurate comparison. Enter each prescription drug's name, dosage, and how often you take it. The tool uses this to calculate your actual estimated total yearly cost under each available plan, not just the premium.

    Quick Tip

    Have your prescription bottles or a pharmacy printout on hand while doing this so you get dosages and names exactly right.

    4

    Add your preferred pharmacy

    ~15s
    Some drug plans charge less if you use certain pharmacies (called "preferred" pharmacies). Entering your usual pharmacy, or a few nearby options, lets the tool show pharmacy-specific pricing.
    5

    Compare plans by estimated total yearly cost

    ~22s
    The results page sorts plans by estimated total cost, which combines premiums, deductibles, and your specific drug costs. Look at this total number rather than just the monthly premium shown at the top.

    Warning

    A plan can look attractive with a $0 premium but still cost more overall if your medications fall into an expensive coverage tier — always check the total estimated yearly cost.

    6

    Get free help if you want a second opinion

    ~15s
    Every state has a free State Health Insurance Help Program (SHIP) with counselors who help compare plans at no cost and with no sales incentive. Search "SHIP" plus your state name, or call 1-800-MEDICARE to be connected.

    You Did It!

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    Every year, Medicare's open enrollment period runs from October 15 to December 7. During that window you can switch Medicare Advantage plans, move between Original Medicare and Medicare Advantage, or change your Part D prescription drug plan for the coming year.

    Plans and their costs change every year. The plan that was cheapest last year may not be the best fit now. The official Medicare Plan Finder at medicare.gov is the government's free, unbiased way to compare every plan in your area side by side.

    The tool lets you enter the medications you take. It then calculates what each plan would actually cost you for the year, instead of just comparing monthly premiums. This matters: a plan with a low premium can cost more overall if it does not cover a drug you take regularly.

    Be careful about unsolicited phone calls or door-to-door visitors during this period who claim to represent Medicare. Medicare does not call or visit uninvited to sell you a plan. Licensed insurance agents can genuinely help, but verify a caller's identity yourself before sharing any personal information. Source: medicare.gov/plan-compare.

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    medicare
    open enrollment
    healthcare
    government
    insurance

    Official Resources

    USA.gov — Government ServicesSSA — Social SecurityBenefits.govIRS Free File

    Sources used to create and verify this guide. View all sources →

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