Frequently Asked Questions
Where is the Medicare Plan Finder tool?
The official Medicare Plan Finder is at Medicare.gov/plan-compare. This is the only official government tool for comparing all Medicare plans available in your area. It is free to use and updated every year for AEP with the latest plan information, premiums, drug formularies, and network information.
What information do I need before using Medicare Plan Finder?
Before starting, gather: your Medicare number (red, white, and blue card), your ZIP code, all prescription medications including dosage and quantity per month, your preferred pharmacy name, and the names of your current doctors. Having this information ready before you start saves significant time and produces the most accurate cost comparison.
Can Medicare Plan Finder tell me my total annual cost?
Yes — this is the most important feature. After entering your medications, Plan Finder calculates your estimated total annual drug and premium cost for each plan. Always sort by total estimated cost, not by monthly premium alone. A plan with a $0 premium and $120/month drug copays costs more than a plan with a $35 premium and $5/month drug copays for the same medications.
Is it safe to enter my Medicare information on Medicare.gov?
Yes — Medicare.gov is the official US government website managed by CMS (Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services). It is secure and your information is protected. Creating an account allows you to save your drug list and comparison results across sessions.
When can I make changes using what I find in Plan Finder?
Changes made during Annual Enrollment Period (October 15–December 7) take effect January 1, 2027. You can use Plan Finder to compare plans before October 15, but you cannot enroll in a new plan until AEP opens. Use September to research and prepare so you're ready to act on October 15.
Medicare Plan Finder at Medicare.gov is the most important tool for AEP — and most seniors either don't know it exists or don't use it correctly. Used properly, it calculates your total annual cost across every plan available in your area, including drug costs. Here is the exact step-by-step process.
You can research plans now, but enrollment opens October 15 and closes December 7. Any plan change takes effect January 1, 2027. Use this guide to prepare — then act on October 15.
Before You Start — Gather These
- Your Medicare card — you'll need your Medicare Beneficiary Identifier (MBI) number
- Complete medication list — every drug, exact dosage, quantity per month
- Preferred pharmacy — name and ZIP code
- Doctor names — for checking network status in Medicare Advantage plans
- Your Annual Notice of Change — shows what your current plan is changing for 2027
Step-by-Step: Using Medicare Plan Finder
Step 1 — Go to medicare.gov/plan-compare
Navigate to Medicare.gov and click "Find plans." You can use the tool without logging in, but creating a free account lets you save your drug list and compare plans across multiple sessions. Highly recommended if you want to research over several days.
Step 2 — Enter Your ZIP Code and Coverage Type
Select what you want to find: Drug Plans only (Part D), Medicare Advantage + Drug Plans (Part C+D), or Medigap. If you have Original Medicare and want to add or change drug coverage, select "Drug Plans." If you're comparing Medicare Advantage plans, select "Medicare Advantage + Drug Plans."
Step 3 — Enter Every Medication
This is the most critical step. Search each drug by name, select the correct dosage form and strength, enter the quantity per month. Do this for every prescription including maintenance medications, inhalers, insulin, and specialty drugs. Missing medications here will result in inaccurate cost estimates.
Step 4 — Enter Your Pharmacy
Search for your preferred pharmacy by name or ZIP code. Plan Finder will show costs at your specific pharmacy. Note: many plans have preferred and non-preferred pharmacy tiers — costs can differ significantly between pharmacies even within the same plan. Check the cost at your preferred pharmacy specifically.
Step 5 — Sort by Total Estimated Annual Cost
Plan Finder shows results sorted by monthly premium by default. Change the sort to "Lowest drug + premium cost." This number — your estimated total annual cost — is the only number that matters for comparison. It includes your monthly premium multiplied by 12 plus your estimated annual drug costs based on your actual medications.
Step 6 — Check the Top 3 Plans in Detail
For your top 3 plans by total cost, click into each plan to verify: all your medications are covered (not just listed — check tier and any restrictions), your preferred pharmacy is in-network, and the plan has no concerning formulary changes noted. Call the plan directly or call 1-800-MEDICARE with any questions before enrolling.
Step 7 — Enroll on October 15
Once you've identified the best plan, you can enroll through Plan Finder directly or by calling the plan or 1-800-MEDICARE. Enrollment opens October 15 — if you try before that date, you cannot complete enrollment. Changes take effect January 1, 2027.
Free Help if You Need It
Your State Health Insurance Assistance Program (SHIP) provides free, unbiased help navigating Plan Finder and AEP decisions. SHIP counselors have no financial interest in which plan you choose. Find your local SHIP at shiphelp.org or call 1-800-MEDICARE.
- Gather your complete medication list before starting — missing drugs = inaccurate comparison
- Sort by total estimated annual cost, not monthly premium
- Check that your specific pharmacy is listed as preferred, not just in-network
- Research in September — be ready to enroll on October 15
- Call SHIP for free help if the tool feels overwhelming
→ Complete AEP 2026 Action Plan
→ How to Read Your Drug Formulary
→ Signs It's Time to Switch Plans