Key takeaways:
You may be able to save on prescription medications covered by Medicare Part D by checking your eligibility for state-funded resources or the Medicare Extra Help program.
There are also patient assistance programs through manufacturers that offer free or low-cost prescription medications to Medicare enrollees.
In some cases, you may get a better price for your medication by using a GoodRx discount instead of your Medicare coverage.
Medicare Part D provides coverage for prescription medications. While Part D helps pay for a variety of brand-name and generic medications, as well as certain vaccines and medical supplies, some enrollees still face high prescription medication costs. This can happen even with new reforms — including the $2,000 cap on annual out-of-pocket costs for prescription medications covered by your Part D plan, which started in 2025 — and will increase to $2,100 in 2026.
If you are still worried about managing your medication costs, the good news is that there are several ways to save. From GoodRx discounts to patient assistance programs, here are programs and tools that can help you lower what you pay for the medications you need.
1. Check state-funded resources
Depending on where you live, your state may offer programs to help you navigate prescription medication costs. A good place to start is your local Area Agency on Aging, which you can find through the Eldercare Locator. These agencies can connect you with Medicare counseling and help you find the best Medicare plan for the coverage you need.
Some states even have their own cost-saving programs for older adults. For example, Pennsylvania runs PACE and PACENET. These programs help eligible residents get prescription medications at reduced costs.
You can also find out if your state has a State Pharmaceutical Assistance Program by using Medicare’s search tool. These programs are state-run and help qualifying residents pay for prescription medications.
2. Use a GoodRx discount
You can still use GoodRx even if you’re enrolled in Medicare. GoodRx discounts are separate from your insurance, so you can choose whichever price is lower. You just can’t combine a GoodRx discount with your Part D benefits for the same prescription.
Start by searching for your medication on the GoodRx website or app to compare prices across different pharmacies in your area. If the GoodRx discount is lower than what you would pay through your Part D plan, you can download or save the free coupon. To avoid delays at the pharmacy counter, show the discount to your pharmacy staff before your prescription is filled.
3. See if you qualify for the Medicare Extra Help program
The Medicare Extra Help/Low-Income Subsidy program is a federally funded benefit for people covered under a Medicare Part D plan. It helps reduce enrollees’ out-of-pocket costs by lowering or eliminating monthly premiums, deductibles, and copays. To qualify, your income and assets must be under certain limits.
Most people who are eligible for Extra Help benefits receive significant savings on Part D prescription medication costs. These savings include:
No monthly premiums for Medicare Part D
No Medicare Part D deductible
Low copays for prescription medications
Need help paying for Medicare Part D coverage? Find out if you qualify for the Medicare Extra Help program.
The Medicare Prescription Payment Plan: The Medicare Prescription Payment Plan allows you to pay pharmacy bills in manageable monthly payments. Learn how it works, who qualifies, and how to enroll.
Haven’t signed up yet for Medicare Part D? Here’s how and when to enroll to avoid penalties.
In 2026, Extra Help participants will be subject to a copay of $12.65 or less for brand-name prescription medications and $5.10 or less for generic medications at participating pharmacies. However, participants who are enrolled in both Medicare and Medicaid and have an income less than or equal to 100% of the federal poverty level (FPL) can get their copays reduced even further. In 2026, participants who meet these requirements will pay:
$4.90 per brand-name medication
$1.60 per generic medication
You automatically qualify for and are enrolled in Extra Help if you meet certain eligibility criteria. If you don’t automatically qualify, you can complete an online application through the U.S. Social Security Administration. You can also call 1-800-772-1213 (TTY 1-800-325-0778) to apply over the phone.
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4. Learn more about patient assistance programs
Patient assistance programs (PAPs) offer free or low-cost medications to uninsured and low-income individuals. These programs, which are usually run by private pharmaceutical companies or nonprofit organizations, primarily help with brand-name medications. You must meet certain qualifications and complete paperwork to receive savings from PAPs. However, some PAPs exclude Medicare recipients.
One example of a PAP that does help Medicare recipients is the Novo Nordisk Patient Assistance Program, which provides the manufacturer’s medications free of charge to those who qualify. The program includes many diabetes medications, such as Ozempic (semaglutide) and Rybelsus (semaglutide).
To qualify for the program, you must:
Be a U.S. citizen or legal resident
Have a total household income at or below 400% of the FPL
Have Medicare or be uninsured
Not be enrolled in Medicaid; Medicare Extra Help; U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) benefits; or other federal, state, or government assistance programs
However, eligibility can change from year to year. For instance, beginning in 2026, Medicare Part D beneficiaries will no longer be able to receive Ozempic through this program.
You can generally apply for PAPs online, by mail, or by fax. You will likely have to include proof of income, tax documents, and a form filled out by your prescriber with your application. You can also use Medicare’s Pharmaceutical Assistance Program finder to see if there are state or manufacturer assistance programs available for your prescription medications.
5. Opt for generic prescription medications when possible
Switching to generic prescription medications is another way to lower what you pay for your medications with Part D. FDA-approved generic medications are required to have the same active ingredients and meet the same safety standards as brand-name medications. But generic medications can typically cost 80% to 85% less than brand-name medications, which can lead to significant savings.
Part D plans categorize medications into different formulary tiers, and prescription medications in lower tiers generally have lower copays. Generic medications are typically placed in lower tiers, often Tier 1. This means that what you pay out of pocket for a generic medication is generally less than what you pay for a brand-name medication in a higher tier.
6. Consider the Medicare Prescription Payment Plan
While not technically a savings option, the Medicare Prescription Payment Plan is a new program that can help make paying for medications more manageable. The program began in 2025 and is available to anyone with Part D coverage, including people enrolled in Medicare Advantage plans that offer prescription medication coverage.
Here's how it works: Instead of paying your full prescription costs up front at the pharmacy, your plan spreads what you owe into monthly payments throughout the calendar year. This can be especially helpful if you take high-cost medications or if your out-of-pocket costs come all at once at the beginning of the year.
You'll still need to pay your Part D plan premium if you have one, but this option can help you better manage your monthly budget. To get the most benefit, sign up early in the calendar year, as this gives you more months throughout the year to spread out your costs. Contact your insurer directly to sign up.
7. Compare Medicare plans before enrolling
Medicare open enrollment, which takes place every year from October 15 to December 7, is your chance to review your coverage and find the best plan for your prescription medication needs. Plan costs and coverage details can change each year, so it’s a good idea to check whether a different plan might cover your medications at a lower cost.
To compare plans:
Make a list of all your medications and what dosages you take.
Visit Medicare’s plan finder tool.
Enter the names of your prescription medications to see which plans offer the best coverage.
Look at premiums, deductibles, and medication costs for each plan.
Check if your preferred pharmacy is in each plan's network.
Spending some time comparing options could mean significant savings on your medications next year.
8. Choose preferred in-network Medicare pharmacies
Your medication costs can vary depending on where you fill your prescription. Some Part D plans offer better pricing or lower copays when you use a preferred pharmacy in your plan’s network. Here’s what to do to make sure you’re using the most affordable pharmacy:
Check your plan’s pharmacy list: This will let you know which locations are considered preferred in-network.
Compare copays and prices: Take a look at different in-network pharmacies to review costs. Preferred options often have the lowest cost.
Switch your pharmacy if needed: If the savings are worth it, consider moving your prescriptions to a preferred pharmacy. This could be a good idea if you fill medications often.
Confirm pharmacy participation each year: A pharmacy’s preferred status can change when plans update their networks. Make sure that your pharmacy is considered preferred if that’s what you are looking for.
How does GoodRx work with Medicare?
While you can't use GoodRx and Medicare at the same time, you can opt to use GoodRx coupons instead of your coverage when you fill your prescriptions. Just let your pharmacist know that you want to use a GoodRx discount rather than your Medicare coverage.
Consider using a GoodRx coupon instead of Medicare in the following situations:
Your medication isn't covered by your Medicare plan.
The medication costs less with a GoodRx coupon than with your Medicare copay.
You don’t expect to reach your annual deductible.
Prescription medications purchased using a GoodRx coupon won't count toward your Medicare deductible or out-of-pocket maximum. So compare both options carefully to decide what works best for your situation.
Frequently asked questions
No, but GoodRx discounts are accepted at more than 70,000 pharmacies nationwide. You can look up your medication on the GoodRx website or app to see if your pharmacy is included.
It depends on the medications you take. Start by listing all your prescriptions and entering them into Medicare’s Plan Finder. This will allow you to compare plans based on prescription medication coverage, copays, deductibles, and pharmacy options. Be sure to check whether your medications are on each plan’s formulary and whether your preferred pharmacy is considered preferred in-network, since that can lower your costs.
No, but GoodRx discounts are accepted at more than 70,000 pharmacies nationwide. You can look up your medication on the GoodRx website or app to see if your pharmacy is included.
It depends on the medications you take. Start by listing all your prescriptions and entering them into Medicare’s Plan Finder. This will allow you to compare plans based on prescription medication coverage, copays, deductibles, and pharmacy options. Be sure to check whether your medications are on each plan’s formulary and whether your preferred pharmacy is considered preferred in-network, since that can lower your costs.
The bottom line
If you have Medicare Part D coverage, you have several ways to save on prescription medication costs. Begin by researching resources offered by your state or applying for the Medicare Extra Help program. You can also look into patient assistance programs or check to see if GoodRx coupons can provide you with better prices for your medication. Finally, talk to your prescriber about switching to generic medications.
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References
Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services. (2025). CMS releases proposed 2026 payment policy updates for Medicare Advantage and Part D programs.
HealthCare.gov. (n.d.). Federal poverty level (FPL).
Medicare.gov. (n.d.). Explore your Medicare coverage options.
Medicare.gov. (n.d.). Find a Pharmaceutical Assistance Program for the drugs you take.
Medicare.gov. (n.d.). Help with drug costs.
Medicare.gov. (n.d.). How do drug plans work?
NovoCare. (n.d.). 2026 eligibility criteria and additional information.
NovoCare. (n.d.). Novo Nordisk patient assistance program (PAP) available products.
NovoCare. (n.d.). Patient assistance program.
Pennsylvania Department of Aging. (n.d.). Pharmaceutical Assistance Contract for the Elderly (PACE) program.
Shapiro, J. R. (2025). Calendar year (CY) 2026 resource and cost-sharing limits for low-income subsidy (LIS) [Letter to all Part D plan sponsors]. Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services.
U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. (2022). Resources near you.
U.S. Food and Drug Administration. (2021). Generic drug facts.
U.S. Food and Drug Administration. (2021). Generic drugs: Questions and answers.
U.S. Social Security Administration. (n.d.). Apply for Medicare Part D Extra Help program.
