Re-shop your plan every fall
Formularies, tiers, and preferred pharmacies change every January. The same drug list can cost $800/yr on one plan and $2,600 on another — Medicare's Plan Finder routinely finds 40%+ savings for people who bother. Annual enrollment runs October 15 to December 7.
- • A drug moving from tier 2 to tier 3 can triple its copay overnight.
- • Preferred vs standard pharmacy pricing differs by 20–40% on the same plan.
- • Manufacturer patient-assistance programs stack with Part D for expensive brands.
Related guides
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Read the guideFAQ
Is there still a donut hole in 2026?
No — the coverage gap closed with the Inflation Reduction Act. Since 2025, Part D has a hard $2,000 out-of-pocket cap; after you hit it, covered drugs cost $0 for the rest of the year.
How does the Part D late-enrollment penalty work?
1% of the national base beneficiary premium (~$37) for every month you lacked creditable drug coverage after 65 — added to your premium permanently. 24 months late = ~$9/mo for life.
Do I need Part D if I take no medications?
You need creditable coverage (Part D, an MA plan with drugs, VA, or employer coverage) or the permanent penalty starts accruing. The cheapest stand-alone plan (~$5–15/mo) is cheap insurance against the penalty and mid-year diagnoses.
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