My Part D Plan
A Medicare Blueprint resource
Medicare Part D Made Simple
Find and enroll in your Part D drug plan
Follow the same nine steps we walk our clients through: enter your drugs, compare total yearly cost, and enroll with confidence.
Enroll October 15 – December 7. Plans become effective January 1.
Medicare Supplements do not change and have no deadline
Only your Part D or Medicare Advantage coverage needs an annual review.
Step by Step
Print this guideHow to use the Part D Plan Finder
The tool changes slightly every year, but the order never does. Work through these steps in one sitting with your prescription bottles in front of you.
Go to the Medicare Plan Finder
Open Medicare.gov and choose “Find health & drug plans.” You can log in to your secure Medicare account to save your information, or continue as a guest.
Enter your ZIP code
Enter your ZIP code and confirm your county if you are asked. This tells the tool which plans are actually available where you live.
Choose “Medicare Drug plan (Part D)”
This is the step people miss. Select Medicare Drug plan (Part D) — not Medicare Advantage — so you keep Original Medicare and your Medicare Supplement.
Answer the help-paying question
Tell the tool whether you get Medicaid, Extra Help, or an SSI/state program. If none apply, choose “I don’t get help from any of these programs.”
Add every prescription you take
Enter each drug with the exact dosage, quantity, and how often you refill it. Accurate drug entry is what makes the yearly cost estimate meaningful.
Select your pharmacies
Add one or two pharmacies you actually use, plus mail order if you use it. The same plan can cost very different amounts at different pharmacies.
Sort by lowest total yearly cost
Ignore the premium alone. Sort by lowest drug + premium cost so you see the true annual cost, then check the star rating and the deductible.
Review coverage and restrictions
Open the plan details and confirm every drug is on the formulary, and look for prior authorization, step therapy, or quantity limits.
Enroll — or call 1-800 MEDICARE
Click “Enroll” and complete the application, or call 1-800-MEDICARE (1-800-633-4227) for help completing your enrollment. They will review your list with you before you sign up.
Medicare is open 24/7. To avoid longer wait times, call early in the morning or later in the evening.
Watch it Done
A 7-minute Plan Finder walkthrough
See every screen of the Medicare Part D Plan Finder, from entering your ZIP code to sorting by lowest total yearly cost. Watch it once, then follow the written steps above at your own pace.
Just the Facts
The important points
You cannot be in a Medicare Advantage plan and a stand-alone Part D plan at the same time. Enrolling in Part D will disenroll you from a Medicare Advantage plan.
Medicare Supplements do not change every year and have no annual deadline. Part D and Medicare Advantage plans do.
During the Annual Enrollment Period, plans you choose take effect January 1. Outside of AEP, the default effective date is the first of the following month.
Compare total yearly cost, not premium. A $0 premium plan can easily be the most expensive plan for your drug list.
After you enroll, expect sales calls trying to move you off Original Medicare onto a Medicare Advantage plan. You never have to decide on a phone call.
We do not represent every plan available in your area. Contact Medicare.gov or 1-800-MEDICARE to review all of your options.
Dates that matter
- October 15
- Annual Enrollment Period opens and next-year plan data goes live.
- December 7
- Last day to enroll or change your Part D plan for January 1.
- January 1
- Your new prescription drug coverage takes effect.
Have a Medicare Advantage plan?
Need a review? That's what we do.
Meet by phone or in person with a licensed advisor, review your providers and drug list together, and enroll in the plan that fits your needs. There is no charge for this service.