2025 brings changes to Medicare, including a new $2,000 cap on out-of-pocket costs and an optional Medicare Prescription Payment Plan. There are also plans entering and leaving the market and changes to existing plans’ quality ratings, drug coverage and costs.
With these changes in mind, it’s smart to compare options for the Part D coverage that fits your needs. We analyzed plans covering nearly 90% of stand-alone Medicare Part D members to pick the best of 2025 based on cost, quality, member satisfaction and more.
Our picks: For 2025, Wellcare’s Value Script plan is available with $0 premiums in 42 states and Washington, D.C., and Wellcare outperforms most large competitors on government quality ratings. Humana Medicare Part D plans have also maintained solid ratings, especially on measures of member experience.
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Insurance company | CMS star rating | Out-of-pocket costs | Member experience | Learn more |
|---|---|---|---|---|
BEST FOR $0 PREMIUMS | (855) 432-0512 / TTY 711 M-F 9AM-9PM, Sat 10AM-6PM ETSpeak to a licensed insurance agent on askchapter.orgon NerdWallet | |||
 (855) 432-0512 / TTY 711 M-F 9AM-9PM, Sat 10AM-6PM ETSpeak to a licensed insurance agent on askchapter.orgon NerdWallet | 3.50 | 3.50/5 | Varies | 3.0 (Average) |
BEST FOR MEMBER EXPERIENCE | (855) 432-0512 / TTY 711 M-F 9AM-9PM, Sat 10AM-6PM ETSpeak to a licensed insurance agent on askchapter.orgon NerdWallet | |||
 (855) 432-0512 / TTY 711 M-F 9AM-9PM, Sat 10AM-6PM ETSpeak to a licensed insurance agent on askchapter.orgon NerdWallet | 3.49 | 3.49/5 | Varies | 4.46 (Above average) |
(855) 432-0512 / TTY 711 M-F 9AM-9PM, Sat 10AM-6PM ETSpeak to a licensed insurance agent on askchapter.orgon NerdWallet | ||||
 (855) 432-0512 / TTY 711 M-F 9AM-9PM, Sat 10AM-6PM ETSpeak to a licensed insurance agent on askchapter.orgon NerdWallet | 3.25 | 3.25/5 | Higher than average | 3.0 (Average) |
(855) 432-0512 / TTY 711 M-F 9AM-9PM, Sat 10AM-6PM ETSpeak to a licensed insurance agent on askchapter.orgon NerdWallet | ||||
 (855) 432-0512 / TTY 711 M-F 9AM-9PM, Sat 10AM-6PM ETSpeak to a licensed insurance agent on askchapter.orgon NerdWallet | 2.85 | 2.85/5 | Average | 2.87 (Average) |
Best for $0 premiums: Wellcare Medicare Part D
- $0-premium plans available in most states.
- Star ratings beat other national competitors.
- Coinsurance rather than copays for brand-name drugs could get pricey.
- Wellcare Value Plus plan no longer has a $0 deductible for all covered drugs.
Why we picked it: $0-premium plans may appeal to people on a fixed income or who are looking to minimize monthly medical costs.
Top quality measures that outperformed the national average:
Drug plan quality improvement.
Call center foreign language interpreter and TTY availability.
Statin use in persons with diabetes.
The bottom line: Humana holds onto solid star ratings in 2025 while many other companies' scores have fallen. Its lower-cost Humana Value Rx plan offers more $0-copay and $0-deductible drug tiers than many competitors. Expensive premiums for the higher-end Premier Rx plan make that plan less competitive, however.
Pros
- $0-premium plans available in most states.
- Star ratings beat other national competitors.
Cons
- Coinsurance rather than copays for brand-name drugs could get pricey.
- Wellcare Value Plus plan no longer has a $0 deductible for all covered drugs.
» MORE: Read our review of Wellcare Medicare Part D insurance
Best for member experience: Humana Medicare Part D
- High scores for member experience.
- Generous $0-copay and $0-deductible options.
- High prices for the higher-end Premier plan.
- Poor scores for accuracy of drug price estimates.
Why we picked it: Humana Medicare Part D plans significantly outscore all major national competitors on government ratings measuring members’ experience using the plans to get their medications.
Top quality measures that outperformed the national average:
Getting needed prescription drugs.
Medication therapy management program completion rate for enrollees who received a comprehensive medication review.
Members’ rating of the drug plan.
The bottom line: Humana holds onto solid star ratings in 2025 while many other companies' scores have fallen. Its lower-cost Humana Value Rx plan offers more $0-copay and $0-deductible drug tiers than many competitors. Expensive premiums for the higher-end Premier Rx plan make that plan less competitive, however.
Pros
- High scores for member experience.
- Generous $0-copay and $0-deductible options.
Cons
- High prices for the higher-end Premier plan.
- Poor scores for accuracy of drug price estimates.
» MORE: Read our review of Humana Medicare Part D insurance
💬 From our Nerds: What’s the best Medicare prescription drug plan for 2025?
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— Marvin Reyes, lead writer covering Medicare
Additional Medicare Part D companies
These providers may not excel in one particular area but are solid overall and may be the right fit for your medications and needs.
AARP Medicare Part D Plans from UnitedHealthcare
- Medicare Rx Preferred plan is less expensive than competing high-end plans.
- Simplified plan choices.
- Medicare Rx Saver plan is pricey for a lower-end plan.
- Below-average ratings for medication management.
- Only the higher-end Preferred plan has $0-copay options.
Top quality measures that outperformed the national average:
Call center foreign language interpreter and TTY availability.
Medicare plan finder price accuracy.
Few members choosing to leave the plan.
The bottom line: Humana holds onto solid star ratings in 2025 while many other companies' scores have fallen. Its lower-cost Humana Value Rx plan offers more $0-copay and $0-deductible drug tiers than many competitors. Expensive premiums for the higher-end Premier Rx plan make that plan less competitive, however.
Pros
- Medicare Rx Preferred plan is less expensive than competing high-end plans.
- Simplified plan choices.
Cons
- Medicare Rx Saver plan is pricey for a lower-end plan.
- Below-average ratings for medication management.
- Only the higher-end Preferred plan has $0-copay options.
» MORE: Read our review of AARP/UnitedHealthcare Medicare Part D insurance
December update
Medicare star ratings are typically released once per year, but CMS recalculated its 2025 star ratings for UnitedHealthcare in December 2024. Pursuant to a court order, CMS removed disputed data from the calculations. NerdWallet has updated this roundup accordingly.
Anthem Medicare Part D
- Members have few complaints and rarely choose to leave.
- Strong ratings for medication management.
- High premiums.
- Available in only 13 states.
Top quality measures that outperformed the national average:
Few members choosing to leave the plan.
Medication therapy management program completion rate for enrollees who received a comprehensive medication review.
Medication adherence for cholesterol (statins).
The bottom line: Humana holds onto solid star ratings in 2025 while many other companies' scores have fallen. Its lower-cost Humana Value Rx plan offers more $0-copay and $0-deductible drug tiers than many competitors. Expensive premiums for the higher-end Premier Rx plan make that plan less competitive, however.
Pros
- Members have few complaints and rarely choose to leave.
- Strong ratings for medication management.
Cons
- High premiums.
- Available in only 13 states.
» MORE: Read our review of Anthem Medicare Part D insurance
Cigna Medicare Part D
- Cigna Saver Rx is one of the cheapest Part D plans available.
- Every Part D plan offers at least Tier 1 drugs with $0 copays.
- Star ratings are slightly below average.
- Lowest copays might require ordering 90-day supplies by mail.
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- Cigna Saver Rx is one of the cheapest Part D plans available.
- Every Part D plan offers at least Tier 1 drugs with $0 copays.
- Star ratings are slightly below average.
- Lowest copays might require ordering 90-day supplies by mail.
Top quality measures that outperformed the national average:
Medicare plan finder price accuracy.
Drug plan quality improvement.
Members’ rating of the drug plan.
The bottom line: Humana holds onto solid star ratings in 2025 while many other companies' scores have fallen. Its lower-cost Humana Value Rx plan offers more $0-copay and $0-deductible drug tiers than many competitors. Expensive premiums for the higher-end Premier Rx plan make that plan less competitive, however.
Pros
- Cigna Saver Rx is one of the cheapest Part D plans available.
- Every Part D plan offers at least Tier 1 drugs with $0 copays.
Cons
- Star ratings are slightly below average.
- Lowest copays might require ordering 90-day supplies by mail.
» MORE: Read our review of Cigna Medicare Part D insurance
What’s the best way to compare Part D plans?
Unlike Medicare Part A and Part B, Part D plans are sold by private insurance companies, and the plans’ costs, benefits and other features can vary significantly. First, confirm whether a plan covers your prescription drugs, then consider each potential plan option’s strengths and weaknesses.
NerdWallet compares and chooses the best Medicare Part D plans based on factors including quality ratings from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS), prices, cost-sharing requirements, formulary design and more. The best plans offer lower costs and higher ratings for quality and member satisfaction.
Article sources
NerdWallet writers are subject matter authorities who use primary, trustworthy sources to inform their work, including peer-reviewed studies, government websites, academic research and interviews with industry experts. All content is fact-checked for accuracy, timeliness and relevance. You can learn more about NerdWallet's high standards for journalism by reading our editorial guidelines.
- 1.NerdWallet analysis of CMS data. 2025 Star Ratings Data Tables. Accessed Oct 16, 2024.
Medicare Advantage review methodology
The Medicare Advantage marketplace is concentrated among just a handful of companies; in many places, one insurer serves more than half of the market. NerdWallet reviewed 26 Medicare Advantage brands, with some insurers having more than one brand under their umbrella. (For example, Blue Cross Blue Shield includes the brands Anthem and Highmark.) At the national level, these reviews include nine of the 10 largest brands by enrollment. At the state level, our research includes at least one major insurer in 47 of the 49 states that offer Medicare Advantage plans, and includes the top two insurers in 35 of those states. (Alaska doesn't offer Medicare Advantage plans.) We also look at online search volume to identify regional and other notable players in the space.
NerdWallet’s Medicare Advantage reviews are based on ratings data from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, as well as pricing, plan availability by state, plan types available, consumer experience, extra benefits offered and more. These reviews are a guide, but we encourage you to shop around and compare several plans to find the best coverage and rate for you. NerdWallet does not receive compensation for any reviews. Read our editorial guidelines for additional information.