Find a Medicare Part D prescription drug plan for 2027
Medicare Part D
Prescription Drug Coverage 2027
Best Medicare Part D Plans 2027: How to Judge Which Plan Is Best for You
Reviewed by Russell Noga, Licensed Medicare Insurance Broker (all 50 states) — Last updated October 30, 2026
The best Medicare Part D plan for 2027 is the one that covers all of your drugs at the lowest total yearly cost at a pharmacy you use, and that answer is different for each person and ZIP code. No standalone drug plan earned 5 stars for 2027, so star ratings help narrow the field but cannot pick a winner on their own.
2027 by the Numbers
0
standalone drug plan contracts rated 5 stars for 2027 (CMS, Oct 8, 2026)
11
standalone plan contracts with 4 stars or more, about 27% (CMS)
3.22
enrollment-weighted average 2027 star rating for standalone plans (CMS)
323
standalone PDP filings for 2027 (our count of CMS 2027 plan filings)
Lists that crown one Part D plan as the best skip the part that matters most: drug plans are priced drug by drug and pharmacy by pharmacy. A plan with a low premium can be the costliest choice for someone on a brand-name inhaler, and a top-rated plan may not cover the medicine you take. That is why this page does not rank plans.
Instead, it gives you the 2027 facts to judge with: who is filing standalone plans, what the new star ratings show, and the tests that separate a good fit from a poor one. For the 2027 rules all Part D coverage follows, see our Medicare Part D plans 2027 guide.
Key Takeaways
- Best means lowest total yearly cost for your exact drugs, not lowest premium or highest name recognition.
- CMS rated no standalone drug plan contract at 5 stars for 2027; 11 contracts earned 4 stars or more.
- In our count of CMS 2027 filings, 15 companies filed 323 standalone plans, and most states have 7 to 12.
- Some 2027 premiums are jumping sharply, so last year’s best fit may not hold.
- Not all plans cover every drug, so check each prescription on a plan’s 2027 formulary.
Why No One Plan Is Best for Everyone in 2027
Each Part D plan picks its own formulary, tiers, pharmacy network and premium within Medicare’s rules. Two neighbors on different drugs can look at the same set of 2027 plans and end up with opposite answers. The right test is how much you will spend over the full year, including premiums, with the drugs you actually take.
What decides your best plan
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Whether each of your drugs is on the plan’s 2027 formulary
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The tier and copay or coinsurance for each drug
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Prior authorization, step therapy or quantity limits on your drugs
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Whether your pharmacy is preferred, standard or out of network
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The monthly premium and the deductible, which can be up to $700 in 2027
Who Files Standalone Part D Plans for 2027
We counted 2027 standalone plan filings in the CMS plan files. One filing is one plan in one of Medicare’s 34 regions. Medicare Plan Finder counts can differ slightly from ours, and the plans you can buy depend on where you live.
| Company | 2027 filings (our count) | 2027 standalone plan names |
|---|---|---|
| Humana | 102 | Humana Basic Rx Plan, Humana Premier Rx Plan, Humana Value Rx Plan |
| UnitedHealthcare | 73 | Medicare Rx Preferred from UHC, Medicare Rx Saver from UHC |
| Wellcare | 68 | Wellcare Classic, Wellcare Value Script |
| HealthSpring (Health Care Service Corporation) | 40 | HealthSpring Assurance Rx, HealthSpring Extra Rx |
| Aetna (SilverScript) | 20 | SilverScript Choice |
| Regional Blue Cross Blue Shield and others | 20 | Varies by state |
Our count of CMS 2027 plan filings: 323 standalone PDP filings from 15 companies. This is a market count, not a ranking or recommendation.
A few patterns stand out. Humana filed three plans in each of the 34 regions, which KFF also notes makes it the only insurer offering three standalone plans everywhere. Aetna’s SilverScript Choice appears in 20 regions in our count, after KFF reported it is leaving 13 regions for 2027. Carrier-specific details are on our Humana Medicare Part D plans page.
What the 2027 Star Ratings Show
0
standalone contracts at 5 stars for 2027
11
standalone contracts at 4+ stars (about 27%)
22%
of standalone plan enrollees are in contracts with 4+ stars for 2027
3.22
average standalone plan rating, weighted by enrollment
CMS released the 2027 Star Ratings on October 8, 2026. Ratings score a whole contract, which can include several plans, on things like member experience, complaints, drug safety measures and how well members stay on their medicines. They do not tell you whether your drugs are covered or what you will pay.
No 5-star standalone plan: because CMS shows no standalone drug plan contract at 5 stars for 2027, a page claiming a 5-star standalone Part D plan for 2027 is worth double-checking. Look up a plan’s own rating on Medicare Plan Finder. Our 5-star rated Medicare Part D plans page explains how the ratings work.
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Five Tests to Find Your Best 2027 Plan
1
Coverage test: list every drug with its exact strength, then drop any plan that does not cover all of them or would need an exception.
2
Restriction test: for the plans left, check for prior authorization, step therapy or quantity limits on your drugs.
3
Pharmacy test: confirm your pharmacy is preferred in the plan’s network; the same drug can cost more at a standard pharmacy.
4
Total-cost test: add 12 months of premiums to the plan’s estimated 2027 drug costs and compare that one number across plans.
5
Quality test: between plans that cost about the same, use the 2027 star rating and the plan’s service record as a tiebreaker.
Medicare Plan Finder does the math in the total-cost test when you enter your drugs and pharmacy. Our Medicare Part D formulary 2027 guide explains how to read tiers and limits.
Premium Shifts That Can Change Last Year's Best Fit
The 2027 market moved more than usual because the federal premium demonstration ended. KFF’s analysis of 2027 standalone plans found several big swings:
Changes KFF reported for 2027
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No $0-premium standalone plans for people without Extra Help, after about 4 million such enrollees paid $0 in 2026
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Medicare Rx Preferred from UHC up $50 or more a month in all 50 states and DC
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Humana Basic Rx, $0 in some states for 2026, rising to between $6.30 and $30.60 in 28 states
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Fewer choices: about 9 standalone plans per person on average, down from 11
CMS puts the average 2027 standalone premium at about $36 a month and the lowest at $5.30 in most states. A plan that was your best value in 2026 may not be in 2027, depending on the plan and area, so compare again even if nothing else changed.
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Standalone Plan or Medicare Advantage Drug Coverage
Standalone PDP
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Pairs with Original Medicare and often Medigap
✔
Separate premium, about $36 a month on average
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Any doctor who accepts Medicare
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7 to 12 choices per state in our count
Medicare Advantage with drugs
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Drug and medical coverage in one plan
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Drug part of the premium averages $7.00 for 2027
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Network doctors and hospitals
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Choices and costs vary by county
The best drug coverage for you depends partly on how you get your medical care. If you have Medigap, a standalone plan is the usual route. If you are open to a network plan, compare Advantage plans with drug coverage too.
How Many Standalone Plans Are Offered in Your State
| State | 2027 standalone plans (our count) | Companies |
|---|---|---|
| Florida | 11 | 6, including Florida Blue |
| Texas | 10 | 5 |
| California | 10 | 5, including Blue Shield of California |
| New York | 9 | 5 |
| Ohio | 9 | 5 |
Our count of CMS 2027 plan filings by state. Medicare Plan Finder may show a slightly different number.
Because most states have only 7 to 12 standalone plans, narrowing to the best fit takes less time than it seems. Our compare Medicare Part D plans by state 2027 page lists the companies filing in each state. Changes you make by December 7, 2026 start January 1, 2027.
The Bottom Line
The Bottom Line
The best Medicare Part D plan for 2027 is the one that covers all your drugs, works with your pharmacy and costs the least over the full year. Use the 2027 filings and star ratings to narrow the field, then let your own drug list decide.
We do not offer every plan available in your area. Any information we provide is limited to those plans we do offer in your area. Please contact Medicare.gov or 1-800-MEDICARE (TTY 1-877-486-2048) to get information on all of your options.
Frequently Asked Questions
➤ What are the best Medicare Part D plans for 2027?
There is no single best plan. The best one for you covers all your drugs at the lowest total yearly cost, including premiums, at a pharmacy you use, and that depends on your drugs and ZIP code.
➤ Are there any 5-star Part D plans for 2027?
CMS’s 2027 Star Ratings fact sheet shows no standalone drug plan contract at 5 stars. Some Medicare Advantage plans with drug coverage did earn 5 stars, depending on the area.
➤ Which companies offer standalone Part D plans in 2027?
In our count of CMS 2027 filings, 15 companies filed plans. The largest by filings are Humana, UnitedHealthcare, Wellcare, HealthSpring and Aetna’s SilverScript, plus regional Blue plans.
➤ Is the cheapest Part D plan the best?
Not always. A low premium plan may not cover your drugs or may charge more for them. Compare the full-year cost with your drugs, not just the premium.
➤ How much does a Part D plan cost in 2027?
CMS estimates the average standalone premium at about $36 a month, with the lowest at $5.30 in most states. Drug costs come on top, up to the $2,400 cap.
➤ Should I keep my 2026 Part D plan for 2027?
Only after checking. Premiums, formularies and pharmacy networks can change each year, and some 2027 premiums rose sharply. Review your Annual Notice of Change and compare.
➤ Do star ratings tell me if a plan covers my drugs?
No. Ratings measure quality and service across a contract. Coverage and cost for your drugs must be checked separately for each plan.
➤ When can I switch to a better Part D plan for 2027?
During open enrollment, October 15 to December 7, 2026, with coverage starting January 1, 2027. Certain life events can allow a change at other times.
ZRN Health & Financial Services, LLC, a Texas limited liability company.
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