The Medicare Plan Finder, Used the Way It Should Be

Medicare's Plan Finder at medicare.gov/plan-compare is the only source of truth for what a specific Part D or Medicare Advantage plan will cost you next year. Carrier marketing materials show premium and headline copays; Plan Finder projects total annual out-of-pocket cost using your drugs, your pharmacies, and the plan's formulary.

Before you start

• Your Medicare number.
• An accurate list of every prescription with dosage, quantity and refill cadence.
• Your ZIP code and the two or three pharmacies you actually use.
• Any preferred-provider or hospital constraints (for Medicare Advantage comparisons).

Our printable plan comparison checklist walks through the prep in order, so you only sit down with the tool once.

Running the comparison

1. Choose "Drug plan (Part D)" or "Medicare Advantage plan (Part C)" depending on what you want to compare.
2. Sign in with your Medicare account for saved drugs, or enter each medication manually.
3. Select mail order and each retail pharmacy you'd use.
4. Sort by Lowest drug + premium cost. This is total projected annual out-of-pocket, the number that actually matters.
5. Open the top three plans. On each plan's page, verify every drug is on the formulary at a tier you can afford, with no utilization management surprises.
6. Check the Star Rating, and for MA plans, confirm your providers are in-network on the carrier's own site (Plan Finder network data can lag).

What to look for beyond the headline cost

• Utilization management flags — PA (prior authorization), ST (step therapy), QL (quantity limits). Any drug you take regularly should be as unencumbered as possible.
• Preferred pharmacy pricing. The same plan often has meaningfully different cost-sharing at a preferred vs. standard pharmacy.
• Mail-order savings. Maintenance drugs are typically cheaper by mail, but only if the plan's PBM has a mail contract you'd actually use.
• The Medicare Prescription Payment Plan. All Part D plans must offer it starting in 2025 — election is done through the plan, not through Plan Finder.

Finding a plan by coverage type

The comparison changes depending on what you are shopping for. Each guide below covers the specific traps of that coverage type.

• How to find a Medicare Part D drug plan — build the drug list correctly, and read the formulary flags.
• How to find a Medicare Advantage plan — networks, prior authorization and the out-of-pocket maximum.
• How to find a Medigap (Supplement) policy — why Plan Finder alone isn't enough, and what underwriting changes.
• How to find out what Medicare plan you have — three ways to confirm your current coverage in minutes.
• The plan comparison checklist — everything to gather before you open the tool.

Re-run it every year

Plans change formularies, tiers, preferred pharmacies and premiums every January. A plan that was optimal last year can be materially worse this year. Re-run Plan Finder during the Annual Election Period (October 15 – December 7) even if you're satisfied with your current plan.

Our own Plan Finder is in development

This guide covers the official CMS tool, which remains the authoritative source for plan costs. We are building an independent Plan Finder of our own — same underlying CMS data, with the comparison ordered the way readers actually decide: total annual cost first, network and formulary friction second, extras last. No lead sale required to see results.

It isn't live yet, and we won't pretend otherwise. If you'd like to be told when it opens, our weekly Medicare briefing is where we'll announce it.

When to bring in a human

If you have a complex drug list, a rare condition, or dual Medicare + Medicaid eligibility, the free counselors at your State Health Insurance Assistance Program (SHIP) are unpaid, unbiased, and trained specifically on this tool. Find yours at shiphelp.org.

Frequently asked questions

What is the Medicare Plan Finder?

The Medicare Plan Finder is the official comparison tool at medicare.gov/plan-compare. It is the only place that projects your total annual out-of-pocket cost for a specific Part D or Medicare Advantage plan using your own drug list, dosages and pharmacies — not just the advertised premium.

How do I find the best Medicare plan for me?

Start with your drugs and your doctors, not the premium. Enter every prescription with dosage and refill frequency, add the pharmacies you actually use, then sort results by lowest drug plus premium cost. Open the top three plans and confirm each drug is on the formulary at an affordable tier and each doctor is in network on the carrier's own directory.

How do I find out what Medicare plan I currently have?

Sign in to your account at medicare.gov to see your current Part D or Medicare Advantage enrollment, or check the member ID card and Annual Notice of Change letter your plan mails each September. 1-800-MEDICARE can also confirm your enrollment.

Is the Medicare Plan Finder free to use?

Yes. Plan Finder is run by CMS and is free, with no login required for a basic comparison. Signing in with a Medicare account saves your drug list between visits.

Does Plan Finder show Medigap policies?

Only partially. Plan Finder lists Medigap policies and premiums available in your area, but it does not quote you personally or account for medical underwriting. Supplement shopping works differently from Part D and Advantage shopping.

How often should I use the Plan Finder?

Once a year, during the Annual Election Period from October 15 to December 7. Formularies, tiers, preferred pharmacies and premiums change every January, so a plan that was optimal last year can be materially worse this year.

Can Plan Finder results be wrong?

Cost projections are reliable because they come from filed plan data, but provider network listings can lag. Always verify your doctors and hospitals on the carrier's own directory before enrolling in a Medicare Advantage plan.