There are 766 Medicare Part D prescription drug plans (PDPs) available across the country in 2022. The average Medicare beneficiary will be able to choose from 23 standalone Part D plans and 31 Medicare Advantage plans that include prescription drug coverage (called Medicare Advantage Prescription Drug plans, or MA-PD). 

With so many options, how can shoppers identify the best Medicare Part D plans for 2022? 

Use the guide below for help finding the best Part D prescription drug plans for your needs. 

What Are the Most Popular Medicare Part D Companies for 2022?

Big doesn’t always mean best, but these insurance carriers didn’t collect a large share of the Part D marketplace by accident. Below is a look at some of the most popular Medicare Part D plan providers for 2022. 

Humana is a well-known health insurance provider with millions of members all over the U.S. Nearly one in five Medicare Part D beneficiaries are enrolled in a Humana Medicare drug plan in 2022.1

Humana offers three national Part D plans for 2022. The plan selection can offer something for just about everyone, with the lowest-cost plan featuring monthly premiums of $17.20 per month and $0 deductibles for Tier 1 and Tier 2 drugs.

• Humana Walmart Value Rx Plan
  Weighted average monthly premium: $22.831
  Median standard cost-sharing: $1 for preferred generics, $4 for other generics
  Preferred cost-sharing pharmacies: Walmart, Sam’s Club, Publix, Kroger, Harris Teeter, HEB, Costco
  
  
• Humana Premier Rx Plan
  Weighted average monthly premium: $76.731
  Median standard cost-sharing: $1 for preferred generics, $4 for other generics
  Preferred cost-sharing pharmacies: Walmart, Sam’s Club, Publix, Kroger, Harris Teeter, HEB, Costco
  
  
• Humana Basic Rx Plan
  Weighted average monthly premium: $33.801
  Median standard cost-sharing: $0 for preferred generics, $1 for other generics
  Preferred cost-sharing pharmacies: Walmart, Sam’s Club, Publix, Kroger, Harris Teeter, HEB, Costco

Humana also offers multiple mobile apps that allow members to manage their prescription drugs anywhere they go.

Because Aetna is a CVS Health company, plan members have access to more than 65,000 pharmacies, with CVS locations serving as a preferred provider that can offer plan members even bigger savings. 

Aetna offers three main Part D plans in 2022: 

• SilverScript SmartRx 
  Average monthly premium: $7.121
  Median standard cost-sharing: $1 for preferred generics, $19 for other generics
  
  
• SilverScript Choice
  Average monthly premium: $30.641
  Median standard cost-sharing: $0 for preferred generics, $5 for other generics
  
  
• SilverScript Plus  – not available in Alaska
  Average monthly premium: $67.861
  Median standard cost-sharing: $0 for preferred generics, $2 for other generics

• Cigna Medicare Part D plans follows a similar low/middle/high plan tier common in the industry, and consumers in mid-size markets and above may have access to all three of Cigna’s Part D plans.

  • Cigna Secure Rx
    Average weighted monthly premium: $33.751
    Median standard cost-sharing: $1 for preferred generics, $2 for other generics
    
    
  • Cigna Essential Rx
    Average weighted monthly premium: $35.541
    Median standard cost-sharing: $0 for preferred generics, $6 for other generics
    
    
  • Cigna Extra Rx
    Average weighted monthly premium: $60.571
    Median standard cost-sharing: $4 for preferred generics, $10 for other generics

  Cigna plans are available in parts of all 50 states, and Cigna’s mobile app allows members to order prescription drugs for home delivery right from their phones. 

  As a company, Cigna has a reputation for financial stability and ranks 13th on the Fortune 500 list.

• AARP sells Medicare Part D plans in partnership with UnitedHealthcare, the largest health insurance company in the U.S. 

  AARP Medicare drug plans from UnitedHealthcare can include $0 copays and deductibles on lower-tier drugs. Up to 3 months’ worth of prescriptions can be mailed to your home.

  • AARP MedicareRx Preferred
    Average weighted monthly premium: $99.451
    Median standard cost-sharing: $5 for preferred generics, $10 for other generics
    
    
  • AARP MedicareRx Saver Plus
    Average weighted monthly premium: $40.011
    Median standard cost-sharing: $1 for preferred generics, $6 for other generics
    
    
  • AARP MedicareRx Walgreens
    Average weighted monthly premium: $29.291
    Median standard cost-sharing: $0 for preferred generics, $10 for other generics

  • Anthem Blue Cross Blue Shield is part of the Anthem family of brands and is a blue health plan brand. Because Anthem brands and Blue Cross and Blue Shield companies can vary by location, we encourage you to explore to find plans that are available in your zip code.

  • WellCare offers three different national Part D plans in 2022.

    • WellCare Classic
      Average weighted monthly premium: $29.881
      Median standard cost-sharing: $0 for preferred generics, $6 for other generics
      
      
    • WellCare Medicare Rx Value Plus
      Average weighted monthly premium: $68.071
      Median standard cost-sharing: $0 for preferred generics, $4 for other generics
      
      
    • WellCare Value Script
      Average weighted monthly premium: $16.051
      Median standard cost-sharing: $0 for preferred generics, $4 for other generics

    • Features of the Best Part D Plans of 2022

      Many of the best Medicare Part D plans of 2022 may share some of the same common features. When comparing plans, check to see if any of the following are included.

      • Mail-order drug delivery. It’s not uncommon these days for Medicare insurers to offer to mail-order delivery of prescription drugs to allow Part D plan members to have their medications delivered right to their door, often at no extra cost.
        
        
      • Additional discounts. Part D beneficiaries are sometimes granted discounts on other health-related products or services. 
        
        
      • Medication Therapy Management (MTM). This program can help beneficiaries who take multiple prescription drugs better manage their medications.
        
        
      • Large pharmacy networks. The best Part D plans typically have networks of participating pharmacies that number in the tens of thousands and include major chains like Walmart, CVS, Walgreens, and more.
        
        
      • Low or $0 copays or deductibles. One feature common among the best Part D plans is copays between $0 and $2 for Tier 1 and Tier 2 drugs, which can include many generics and commonly-prescribed medications. Many top plans will also offer $0 deductibles for these drugs. 

      Best States for Medicare Part D Plans

      Medicare Part D plan selection varies by county and state, so not all beneficiaries have access to the same options. 

      According to one study, Hawaii, Delaware, Nevada, Alaska and North Dakota have some of the best Medicare Part D markets in the U.S., characterized by a generous selection, low costs, and high quality. 

      Choosing a Medicare Part D Plan

      At the end of the day, the best Medicare Part D plan boils down to the best Medicare Part D plan for you. And that means being able to say yes to each of the following 3 questions:

      1. Is the plan available where you live? Not all plans are available in every location. Not even all insurance carriers sell plans in every state. And you can only enroll in plans that are offered in the service area in which you live.
         
         
      2. Does the plan cover the drugs you need? A plan that doesn’t cover the medications you take serves little purpose. Check the plan’s formulary, which is the list of drugs covered by the plan, before enrolling.
         
         
      3. Is the plan accepted by your local pharmacies? Even a high-quality plan is of little use if you can’t use it at your local pharmacies. Always check the plan’s network of participating pharmacies to see where you can use the coverage.  

      When shopping for a Medicare Part D plan, you might also consider looking at Medicare Advantage plans that offer prescription drug coverage. 

      Lastly, connecting with an insurance agent who is licensed to sell Medicare Part D can be helpful in narrowing down the right plan for your needs.