Since the Part D redesign there is a hard ceiling on what you pay for covered drugs in a year. For 2027 that cap is $2,400. Below it you pay your plan’s deductible — no more than $700 — and then 25% of the cost. Above it you pay nothing more for covered Part D drugs that year.
This tool applies officially published figures to the numbers you enter. It is not an insurance quote, it is not an eligibility determination, and it does not predict what a carrier will charge you. Only HealthCare.gov, Medicare.gov, Social Security or the carrier can determine your eligibility and your actual price.
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 to get information on all of your options. Not connected with or endorsed by the U.S. government or the federal Medicare program.
Medicare Prescription Drug Cost: how it works
What the cap changed
Before the redesign there was no limit — someone on an expensive specialty drug could pay many thousands a year indefinitely. The cap ends that. It applies to covered Part D drugs only, so a medication your plan does not cover does not count toward it.
You can spread the cost across the year
The Medicare Prescription Payment Plan lets you pay your share in monthly instalments instead of all at once at the pharmacy. It does not reduce what you owe — it changes when you pay it, which matters if your expensive month is January.
Common questionsCommon questions
Is this an exact figure for my prescriptions?
No. It applies the official 2027 benefit structure to the total you enter. Real costs depend on each drug’s tier in your plan’s formulary and on your pharmacy. Medicare Plan Finder prices your exact drug list; this shows you the shape of the year.
Does the deductible count toward the $2,400 cap?
Yes. What you pay toward the deductible counts as out-of-pocket spending, so it moves you toward the cap. This calculator counts it that way.
What if I qualify for Extra Help?
Extra Help changes the maths completely — it can remove the deductible and cut copays to a few dollars. This calculator shows the standard benefit. If your income is limited, ask about Extra Help before assuming these figures apply to you.