Prescription coverage • 2026 educational resource

Medicare Part D checklist

Part D plans can differ in covered drugs, tiers, pharmacies, utilization rules, and costs. Prepare your medication information offline, then enter it only into Medicare.gov or another approved secure system. Do not submit prescriptions or health details through Wise Owl’s initial website opt-in.

Prepare your private medication list

• Exact drug name and whether it is brand or generic
• Dosage, quantity, and refill frequency
• Preferred retail and mail-order pharmacies
• Any medications requiring prior authorization, step therapy, or quantity limits

Compare more than the premium

• Confirm every prescription on the plan’s current formulary.
• Check each drug’s tier and cost-sharing method.
• Compare the annual deductible and whether it applies to every tier.
• Check preferred, standard, and out-of-network pharmacy rules.
• Estimate yearly cost—not just one month’s premium or copayment.
• Review the plan’s exception and appeal processes.

2026 cost framework

For 2026, Medicare states that no Part D deductible may exceed $615. After applicable deductible and initial coverage costs, out-of-pocket spending for covered Part D drugs is capped at $2,100; after reaching the cap, a beneficiary pays nothing out of pocket for covered Part D drugs for the rest of the calendar year. Plan-specific premiums and cost sharing still vary.

Official sources

• Medicare drug coverage basics
• 2026 Part D costs
• Formularies and plan rules
• Pharmacy networks

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Related resources

• Annual Medicare review checklist
• Annual Notice of Change guide
• Browse Medicare plan records by state