If you have a Medicare Part D prescription drug plan (PDP), the Medicare Annual Election Period (AEP) is an important time of year for you. The AEP runs from October 15 through December 7, 2026, and gives you an opportunity to review your Medicare Part D coverage and compare Medicare Part D plans for 2027.
Part D plans can change from year to year. Your premium, deductible, copayments, covered medications, pharmacy networks and other costs can change. Your own prescription needs may also change.
That is why I recommend reviewing your Part D coverage every year. You may discover that another plan could save you money or provide better coverage. You may also discover that your current plan is still the best choice. Either way, it is worth taking the time to check.
I Do Not Sell Medicare Part D Plans
Before I explain how to compare Part D plans, I want to be clear about something. I do not sell Medicare Part D prescription drug plans.
I have made a deliberate decision to specialize in Medicare Supplement insurance rather than sell Medicare Part D prescription drug plans. Selling and servicing Part D plans involves additional federal requirements, annual certification and training, as well as separate requirements for each insurance company whose Part D plans an agent represents.
After considering those requirements and what is involved in properly servicing Part D clients, I decided that I would rather focus my business on Medicare Supplement insurance and do that very well.
There is another important reason I believe this is a good approach for my clients. An insurance agent who sells Part D plans can only offer the plans from the insurance companies they are authorized and certified to represent. An agent may represent several companies, but may not represent every Part D plan available in your area.
Rather than have you choose a PDP from a limited selection of plans that I might represent, I would rather show you how to use Medicare’s Plan Finder to compare the plans available to you based on your own medications and pharmacy.
Don’t Choose a Plan Based Only on the Monthly Premium
One of the most important things to remember when comparing Part D plans is that the plan with the lowest monthly premium is not necessarily the plan that will cost you the least over the entire year. Your total prescription costs depend on several factors, including the medications you take, the dosage, the pharmacy you use and the plan’s deductible, copayments and coinsurance.
Medicare’s prescription drug plan comparison tool allows you to enter your actual medications and preferred pharmacy so that you can compare the plans based on your own situation. That is much more useful than simply asking someone which insurance company has the cheapest Part D plan because the plan with the lowest premium may not be the plan with the lowest overall cost for your particular medications.
NOTE: When you use the Medicare Plan Finder for your prescriptions, you can enter up to five pharmacies. I always enter five different pharmacies because you’ll find that depending on your PDP, certain pharmacies are “in network” and cost less than others, so the pharmacy you go to can affect the cost of your prescriptions.
When Will the 2027 Medicare Part D Plans Be Available?
Medicare’s 2026 handbook tells beneficiaries to begin comparing their current Medicare health or drug coverage with options for 2027 starting October 1, 2026. The Medicare Plan Finder is expected to have the 2027 plan information available around that time, giving you an opportunity to review your options before the Annual Election Period begins on October 15.
Once the 2027 information is available, you can use Medicare’s Plan Finder to enter your medications and pharmacy and compare the Part D plans available in your area.
NOTE: You won’t be able to sign up for a new prescription drug plan until October 15, 2026. Again, the new coverage won’t go into effect until January 1st, 2027.
How to Use Medicare’s Plan Finder to Compare Part D Plans
The easiest way to compare Part D plans is to use Medicare’s official Plan Finder:
When you use the Plan Finder, you first enter your zip code and then you can enter the medications you currently take, including the dosage and how frequently you take them. You can also enter the pharmacy you normally use. Medicare will then show you the Part D plans available in your area and estimate what you could pay based on the medications and pharmacy information you entered. Note that the prescription drug plans are sorted from cheapest to most expensive, depending on what prescriptions you are taking.
When comparing plans, don’t look only at the monthly premium. Look at the estimated total yearly cost, the deductible, your medication costs, the pharmacies available to you and any other differences that may affect what you actually pay throughout the year.
The Medicare Plan Finder is updated periodically, so the appearance and order of the information on the website may change a little. Don’t be concerned if the screens you see don’t look exactly like the ones shown in my video. The basic process of entering your medications, comparing plans and selecting a prescription drug plan remains the same.
I Created a Video Showing You How to Use Medicare’s Plan Finder
In 2025, I created a short video that walks you through the process of using Medicare.gov to enter your medications, compare your options, and enroll in a Part D plan.
2025 Video: How to Choose and Sign Up For a Prescription Drug Plan
Watch the 2025 Medicare Plan Finder Tutorial
Medicare has since made some changes to the appearance and layout of the Plan Finder tool. For example, some of the information appears in a different order than it did when I made my video. However, the basic process of using the Plan Finder to enter your medications, compare plans and select a prescription drug plan remains very similar.
Please keep in mind that the plan information shown in this video is from 2025 and should not be used to determine which plan you should choose for 2027. The purpose of the video is simply to show you how the Medicare Plan Finder works. Once the Medicare Plan Finder is updated with the information for 2027, I will create an updated video showing you the current process. I will let you know when the new video is available through my monthly newsletter.
What If You Need Help?
Not everyone is comfortable researching Medicare plans online, and that is completely understandable.
If you live in California, one resource I recommend becoming familiar with is the Health Insurance Counseling and Advocacy Program (HICAP), which provides free, confidential and unbiased Medicare counseling to California residents. HICAP counselors can help Medicare beneficiaries understand their Medicare options and answer questions about prescription drug coverage in person or on the phone.
California Health Insurance Counseling & Advocacy Program (HICAP)
https://www.shiphelp.org/ships/california/
1-800-434-0222
If you live in Nevada, you can contact the Nevada Medicare Assistance Program, commonly called MAP, for Medicare counseling and assistance.
Nevada Medicare Assistance Program (MAP)
https://www.shiphelp.org/ships/nevada/
1-800-307-4444
If you live outside of California or Nevada, you can find your local State Health Insurance Assistance Program (SHIP) through the national SHIP website.
Nationwide SHIP
State Health Insurance Assistance Program (SHIP)
https://www.shiphelp.org/
1-877-839-2675
These programs can be especially useful if you need help comparing Medicare options but do not want to rely on an insurance agent who may represent only certain insurance companies.
You Don’t Have to Change Plans
I want to emphasize one final point. Reviewing your Part D plan does not mean you have to change it.
You may compare the plans available for 2027 and discover that your current plan is still the best choice for you. If that happens, you can simply keep your current coverage. The important thing is that you take the time to check.
Prescription drug plans can change from year to year, and taking the time to review your options could potentially save you money or help you find coverage that better fits your needs.
My goal in writing this guide is not to tell you which Part D plan to choose. It is to give you the tools and information you need to make an informed decision for yourself.
My Recommendation for Comparing 2027 Part D Plans
If you currently have a Medicare Part D prescription drug plan, I recommend beginning to compare your current coverage with the 2027 plans as soon as the new plan information becomes available around October 1. Then, beginning October 15, you can make a change if you decide another plan is a better fit for you.
Enter your zip code, the actual medications and the pharmacy you normally use. Look at your estimated total yearly costs rather than simply choosing the plan with the lowest monthly premium. If your current plan still looks like the best option, stay with it. If another plan offers you better overall coverage and costs, you can make the change during the AEP.
How to Enroll in a Medicare Part D Plan
If you decide that you want to enroll in a new Medicare Part D plan, the easiest way to enroll is by clicking the Enroll button on the plan that you want to sign up with. You will need to provide your name, address, Medicare number, etc., but it normally takes less than 10 minutes to sign up that way. Otherwise, you can call the plan and enroll over the phone, but that generally takes longer.
IMPORTANT: If you have a Medicare Advantage plan that includes prescription drug coverage, be very careful about enrolling in a separate Medicare Part D prescription drug plan. In most cases, joining a separate Part D plan will automatically disenroll you from your Medicare Advantage plan and return you to Original Medicare. This could cause you to lose your Medicare Advantage health coverage and benefits. Before making any changes, make sure you understand how enrolling in a separate Part D plan will affect your current coverage.
Again, the AEP runs from October 15 through December 7, 2026. Take the time to review your coverage, compare your options, and make the decision that is right for you.
Disclaimer: This article is for educational purposes only and is not intended to provide individual insurance or financial advice. Medicare rules, benefits, costs and plan information can change. Always verify current information with Medicare or your state health insurance assistance program before making a Medicare coverage decision.
About the Author
I’m an independent Medicare Supplement insurance specialist working with most of the major insurance carriers throughout California, Nevada, and Arizona.
I help people turning 65 coordinate their Medicare enrollment so their Medicare Supplement and prescription drug coverage begin at the same time as Medicare.
I also work with many people who already have Medicare Supplement plans and would like to review their options. In California, there is a law called the California Birthday Rule, which allows Medicare Supplement policyholders to change their plans each year during the 60 days following their birthday without answering health questions or going through medical underwriting. During this annual 60-day enrollment period, you cannot be turned down for coverage when changing to a Medicare Supplement plan with the same or fewer benefits.
I regularly help clients lower their Medicare Supplement premiums while keeping the same benefits and coverage.
Over the years, I have helped many clients save hundreds and sometimes even thousands of dollars on their annual premiums.
There is never a fee for my services because I am compensated by the insurance companies, not my clients. My goal is to help you find competitive premiums while providing dependable, personal service year after year.
If you’re turning 65 or already have a Medicare Supplement plan and would like to review your options, I’m happy to help.
Read what my clients have to say about working with me.
Contact Information
Ron Lewis
Independent Medicare Supplement Insurance Specialist
Cell: (760) 525-5769
Toll-Free: (866) 718-1600
Email: Ron@RonlewisInsurance.com
Website: www.MedigapShopper.com
Insurance Licenses
- California: #0B33674
- Nevada: #3822123
- Arizona: #681166
This website is operated by a licensed insurance agent and is intended for educational purposes only. I am not affiliated with or endorsed by Medicare or any government agency.
