Find the Best Medicare Plan in Your Area
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What Is an MAPD Plan?
An MAPD plan combines Medicare Advantage (Parts A & B) with Part D prescription drug coverage in a single plan. You pay one monthly premium (often $0) and deal with one insurer for all your coverage needs.
Drug Tiers Explained
- Tier 1: Preferred generics — lowest copay ($0–$5)
- Tier 2: Generic drugs — low copay ($5–$20)
- Tier 3: Preferred brand drugs — moderate copay ($35–$60)
- Tier 4: Non-preferred brand drugs — higher copay ($60–$100)
- Tier 5: Specialty drugs — often 25–33% coinsurance
The 2026 Medicare Drug Price Cap
The Inflation Reduction Act capped out-of-pocket Medicare drug costs at $2,000 per year starting in 2025 — a major change that eliminates the old “donut hole” coverage gap for most people. This makes drug coverage much more predictable in 2026.
How to Check Your Medications
Before enrolling in any MAPD plan, enter your exact medications (drug name, dose, and frequency) into the Medicare Plan Finder to see your estimated annual drug costs across all plans in your area. This is the single most important comparison step for anyone on regular prescriptions.
See also: Best Plans • Costs Explained