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Medicare: Your GoodRx guide
Learn the ins and outs of Medicare with our comprehensive guide that covers eligibility, coverage, costs, and more.
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Common Medicare glossary terms
The Medicare Annual Notice of Change (ANOC) is a letter for people enrolled in Medicare Advantage plans and anyone with Medicare Part D prescription coverage. People with Medicare Advantage or original Medicare (Part A and/or Part B) can have Part D plans. The ANOC informs enrollees about any changes to their benefits for the coming coverage year. By law, Medicare Advantage and Part D plans must send the ANOC to enrollees by September 30 — which is before the annual Medicare open enrollment period of October 15 to December 7. Even if you have the same plan, your benefits could change year to year.
A premium is the cost of having a health insurance plan and is usually paid monthly. Medicare enrollees may pay several premiums. Most people don’t pay anything for Part A hospital insurance, but some people do depending on how long they worked and paid taxes. For outpatient and preventive coverage, the Part B standard premium is $185 a month in 2025, but people with higher incomes pay more. Your premium for Medicare Advantage plans will vary, but even so-called “zero premium” plans require you to pay your Part B premium. Part D premiums range in price, but the average is about $47 a month in 2025. If you have original Medicare and a Medigap supplement plan, you have an additional premium for that coverage.
A deductible is the amount you pay out of pocket before your Medicare plan begins cost-sharing. In 2025, the Part A deductible is $1,676 per benefit period. The Part B deductible is $257 for the year, but you can access certain preventive care — including some vaccines — without meeting your deductible. Medicare Advantage deductibles vary and your Part D deductible can’t exceed $590 in 2025.
Original Medicare has no annual out-of-pocket maximum. Medicare Advantage plans have out-of-pocket limits. In 2025, they are $9,350 for in-network covered services and $14,000 for in-network and out-of-network covered services combined.
Starting January 1, 2025, anyone with Part D coverage had the option to use the Medicare Prescription Payment Plan for their out-of-pocket medication costs instead of paying upfront at the pharmacy. This plan doesn’t provide savings, but allows you to spread prescription costs — including your deductible — over the year. Making payments can be particularly helpful for people who may skip or delay picking up prescriptions because of high costs early in the year. Also in 2025, the Part D out-of-pocket limit dropped to $2,000.
After a Medicare enrollee meets the Part D deductible (if the plan has one), the health insurance begins cost sharing. The initial coverage phase means you pay coinsurance or a copay for covered prescriptions.
When you reach the $2,000 out-of-pocket maximum, your Part D plan pays for 100% of covered medications for the rest of the year.
How to save on drugs with Medicare
Medicare Part D is the part of Medicare that helps cover prescription medications, including both brand name and generic. It also includes coverage for certain vaccines that aren’t covered by Part B, as well as some medical supplies.
Even with Medicare Part D coverage, you may still have out-of-pocket costs such as premiums, deductibles, copayments, and coinsurance. As of 2025, Medicare Part D plans include a $2,000 annual out-of-pocket cap. Once you reach this limit, your plan covers the full cost of your covered medications for the rest of the year.
Still, there are several ways to reduce your prescription medication cost. From GoodRx coupons to patient assistance programs, here are ways you can save money on the medications you need.
1. See if you qualify for Medicare’s Extra Help program
The Medicare Extra Help/Low-Income Subsidy program is a federally funded program for people covered under a Medicare Part D plan. It helps reduce enrollees’ out-of-pocket costs by limiting their deductibles and copays. To qualify, your income and assets fall below a certain limit.
If you’re eligible, you may receive:
No monthly premiums for Medicare Part D
No Medicare Part D deductible
Low copays for prescription medications
2. Use GoodRx coupons
You can’t combine GoodRx coupons with Medicare, but you can choose to use a coupon instead of your insurance if it results in a lower price.
Here’s how to download a GoodRx coupon:
Go to the GoodRx website, or download the GoodRx app on your phone.
Search for your prescription medication.
Enter your prescribed dose and quantity, then set your location.
Compare prices across different pharmacies in your area.
Click “Find the lowest prices” or press “Enter.”
You can have the coupon sent by text or email, or print it out.
To apply the discount, show the coupon at the pharmacy when you fill your prescription. Ideally, this is done at drop-off before the prescription is filled.
3. Consider the Medicare Prescription Payment Plan
The Medicare Prescription Payment Plan is a new program that can help make paying for medications more manageable. It’s open to anyone with a standalone Part D plan or those with Medicare Advantage plans that offer prescription medication coverage.
There is no cost to participate in the Medicare Prescription Payment Plan and participation is voluntary. Instead of paying for the total cost of your medications up front at the pharmacy, the payment plan allows you to spread the cost into smaller payments during the year. If you join, you will continue to pay your premium every month as well as an additional monthly amount on your payment plan. It’s a good idea to review how the Medicare Prescription Payment Plan works to determine if it’s right for you.
4. Compare Part D plans during open enrollment
Medicare open enrollment, which takes place every year from October 15 to December 7, is your chance to switch plans if another option offers better prescription medication coverage or lower costs. Plan costs and coverage details can change each year, so it’s important to review your options.
Here are some steps to help you 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. Plans usually change their formularies, premiums, and copays annually.
Check if your preferred pharmacy is in each plan's network.
5. Get a 90-day supply
Opting for a 90-day supply instead of a monthly refill of your medication might help reduce your long-term out-of-pocket costs. Many insurance plans offer lower copays or bulk pricing for 3-month prescriptions.
If your medication is covered under your plan, see if your insurer’s mail-order or specialty pharmacy provides savings on a 90-day supply. If they do, ask your prescriber to write a prescription for a 90-day quantity to take advantage of these potential savings.
6. Ask about the generic version of your medication
Some medications have a generic version, and they generally cost less than the brand-name prescriptions. Generic medications are just as safe and effective as brand-name medications, so it’s an option worth considering to reduce your cost. Ask your prescriber about switching to a generic version of your medication to save money.
7. Consider lower-cost alternative medications
There may be other medications that help manage your condition, and they may cost less. If your medication is costly or not covered by your insurance, talk to your prescriber about lower-cost alternatives that might be a good option for you. Alternatives might have better insurance coverage or lower costs.
8. Learn more about patient assistance programs
Patient assistance programs (PAPs) offer free or low-cost medications to uninsured and low-income consumers. These programs, which primarily offer savings on brand-name medications, are usually run by private pharmaceutical companies or nonprofit organizations. You must meet certain qualifications and complete paperwork to receive savings from PAPs. However, some PAPs exclude Medicare recipients, so it’s important to review the program’s rules and requirements carefully.
9. 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 Department of Aging. This U.S. Department of Health and Human Services office can 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.
Alternatively, you can 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.
10. Use a health savings account to pay for prescription medications
Although you can’t contribute to a health savings account (HSA) after enrolling in Medicare, you can still use any remaining funds in your account to pay for qualified medical expenses. An HSA allows you to use tax-free dollars to pay for eligible prescription medications. The money in your account does not expire so you can use your funds at any time to reduce your out-of-pocket medication costs.
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Frequently asked questions about Morphine
Yes. In fact, if you need additional pain relief, it's recommended that you take non-opioid pain medications. This helps lower the amount of Morphine you take and lower the risks that come with taking opioids. In general, it's safe to take non-opioid pain medications, like acetaminophen (Tylenol) or ibuprofen (Advil), with Morphine. Keep in mind that these other pain medications also have their own risks to consider. So before taking other pain medications with Morphine, speak with your healthcare provider to make sure it's safe for you to do so.
Yes, it's common for Morphine to make you feel sleepy or tired. If you feel sleepy or tired after taking Morphine, don't drive or do anything that requires your full attention until these effects go away. This helps prevent accidental injuries from happening. If the sleepiness or tiredness from Morphine is bothersome, speak with your healthcare provider. They might discuss with you about other treatment options for your pain.
Constipation is a common side effect of Morphine. To help with constipation, make sure to drink plenty of water. You can also add more fiber-rich foods to your diet. These foods can include broccoli, chickpeas, and a variety of fruit. Talk to your healthcare provider if your constipation doesn't improve or worsens with these lifestyle changes. They can recommend certain constipation medications that might help with constipation from Morphine.
Morphine has a serious risk of addiction. The medication can be habit-forming even at recommended doses that are prescribed to you by your provider. And if not addressed appropriately, addiction can lead to life-threatening overdose. But to help lower the risk of addiction, your healthcare provider will prescribe the lowest amount of Morphine that's necessary for you for the shortest period of time possible. Speak with your provider if you have concerns about the risk of addiction with Morphine use.
Immediate-release Morphine is taken on an as-needed basis (up to every 4 hours). The medication gets released into your body soon after you take it to provide quick relief of sudden pain (breakthrough pain). Immediate-release Morphine is available as tablets, oral liquids, and rectal suppositories. On the other hand, extended-release Morphine is taken at scheduled times (every 8, 12, or 24 hours). It provides more long-lasting pain relief since the medication gets released into your body slowly over time. Extended-release Morphine is only available as tablets and capsules.
Before you plan to stop Morphine or lower your dose, it's best to speak with your healthcare provider first. This is especially important if you take Morphine regularly for a long period of time. Stopping the medication suddenly can sometimes cause withdrawal, which can look like restlessness, muscle or joint aches, trouble sleeping, and anxiety. Stopping Morphine suddenly can even lead to serious consequences, like uncontrolled pain or thoughts of harming yourself. To prevent withdrawal, your provider might lower your Morphine dose slowly every few weeks before you can completely stop the medication. If you've taken Morphine for a brief period of time, you might be able to lower your dose more quickly. Your healthcare provider will give you instructions on how to stop or lower your dose safely.
Morphine generally isn't recommended if you're pregnant. Taking Morphine for a long period of time during pregnancy can cause your unborn baby to become dependent on the medication. Once your baby is born, they can experience withdrawal symptoms, such as high-pitched crying, poor feeding and sucking behavior, irritability, and sometimes even seizures. This condition is called neonatal opioid withdrawal syndrome (NOWS) and can be life-threatening if not recognized and treated in time. Speak with your provider about the risks and benefits of taking Morphine while pregnant. They can recommend other pain medications that are safer for you and your baby.
Speak with your healthcare provider about the risks and benefits of taking Morphine if you're breastfeeding. It's generally recommended to try non-opioid pain medications first before considering Morphine if you need to breastfeed while taking pain medication. Morphine can be found in breast milk. The medication can potentially cause sleepiness, slowed breathing, and slowed heartbeat in breastfed babies. If you're taking Morphine and are breastfeeding, get medical help right away if you notice these effects in your baby. Discuss with your provider about other options that might be safer, like switching to another pain medication or using baby formula instead.
Hydromorphone (Dilaudid) and Morphine are both opioid medications. Besides differences in chemical properties, the two medications are actually quite similar. Studies suggest hydromorphone (Dilaudid) and Morphine work just as well as each other to help relieve pain when non-opioid medications aren't enough, especially for cancer-related pain in adults. The side effects of both medications are similar, though some experts suggest that hydromorphone (Dilaudid) causes less itchiness and nausea and has a higher risk of nervous system problems (e.g., seizures) than Morphine. More research is needed about differences in side effects between the two medications. Discuss with your provider about which medication best fits your needs for pain.
