How to Sign Up for Medicare Part D
Signing up for Medicare Part D does not have to be confusing. This guide walks you through the Medicare.gov Plan Compare process one step at a time—from entering your ZIP code and prescriptions to comparing estimated annual costs and completing your enrollment.
Before enrolling, make sure you are eligible for Medicare Part D and currently have an enrollment period that allows you to join or change plans.
You Will Complete Your Enrollment Directly Through Medicare.gov
The Medicare Dude can help you understand your prescription options and review the plans available in your area. However, you will make the final plan selection and complete your own enrollment directly through Medicare.gov. The Medicare Dude does not submit, process, or complete your Part D enrollment through this page.
Email privacy notice: Regular email may not be secure. Do not send your Social Security number, Medicare number, payment information, account passwords, detailed medical records, or photographs of identification cards.
Need Help Following Medicare.gov?
Step-by-Step Part D Enrollment Guide
Follow every screen on Medicare.gov with our easy-to-follow visual guide. Perfect if you're enrolling yourself for the first time.
- Printable Guide
- Full-color screenshots
- Step-by-step instructions
- Free Download
Before You Begin — What to Have Ready
Gathering this information before you visit Medicare.gov will make the comparison process faster and more accurate.
- Your residential ZIP code
- Your Medicare effective dates (Part A and Part B start dates)
- A complete list of your prescriptions
- The exact spelling of each prescription
- Dosage or strength for each medication
- Quantity filled per prescription
- How frequently each prescription is refilled
- Your preferred pharmacy
- A second pharmacy you would consider using
- Information about any employer, union, VA, TRICARE, retiree, or other prescription coverage you currently have
- Your Medicare.gov account information if you intend to log in
Medicare.gov can be used anonymously with a ZIP code. Signing into a Medicare account may allow you to retrieve saved information and complete a more personalized comparison.
Do not enter your Medicare number, Social Security number, passwords, or protected account credentials anywhere on The Medicare Dude website.
Confirm How You Receive Medicare Coverage
Original Medicare
A stand-alone Medicare Part D plan can generally be added to Original Medicare when you have Medicare Part A, Medicare Part B, or both.
Medicare Advantage
Most Medicare Advantage plans include prescription drug coverage. Joining a separate stand-alone Part D plan while enrolled in certain Medicare Advantage HMO or PPO plans can cause disenrollment from the Medicare Advantage plan and return you to Original Medicare.
Important Warning
Do not enroll in a separate Part D plan until you understand how it may affect your current Medicare Advantage coverage. Call your current plan or 1-800-MEDICARE when uncertain.
Determine When You Can Enroll
You may only join, switch, or drop Medicare drug coverage during an allowed enrollment period.
Initial Enrollment Period
This generally begins three months before the month you first get Medicare, includes the month Medicare begins, and generally continues for three months afterward. You need Medicare Part A or Part B to join a stand-alone Part D plan.
Example
Maria's Medicare begins July 1. Her initial opportunity generally begins April 1 and continues through October 31. Her exact coverage date can depend on when the enrollment request is received.
Annual Medicare Open Enrollment
October 15 through December 7. A person with Original Medicare may join, drop, or switch stand-alone Part D plans. Changes generally take effect January 1 when the request is received by December 7.
Example
Robert compares his current drug plan with next year's plans on November 10 and submits his new plan enrollment before December 7. His new coverage is scheduled to begin January 1.
Medicare Advantage Open Enrollment
January 1 through March 31. This period only applies to people already enrolled in Medicare Advantage. A person may leave Medicare Advantage and return to Original Medicare. When returning to Original Medicare, the person may be able to join a stand-alone Part D plan. This is not a general Part D change period for someone already in Original Medicare.
Example
Linda is enrolled in a Medicare Advantage plan. In February, she decides to return to Original Medicare. As part of that change, she enrolls in a stand-alone Part D plan.
Special Enrollment Period
Certain life events or coverage changes may provide a Special Enrollment Period. The permitted action, enrollment window, documentation, and effective date depend upon the specific situation. See the ten common situations below, or visit Medicare.gov for the official Special Enrollment Period page.
Example
James recently lost his employer drug coverage when he retired. He has a limited window to enroll in a Part D plan without a late enrollment penalty. His coverage can begin as soon as the first day of the month after his enrollment request is received.
Ten Common Reasons You May Be Able to Enroll in or Change Part D
For every situation, Medicare or the receiving plan determines eligibility. This list is educational and does not constitute eligibility advice.
Step-by-Step: How to Use Medicare Plan Compare
Open Medicare Plan Compare
Visit Medicare.gov/plan-compare — the official Medicare plan-comparison tool operated by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services.
Open Medicare.gov Plan Compare(opens in a new tab)Choose Whether to Log In
You may log into an existing Medicare.gov account, create an account, or continue without logging in when that option is available. Do not enter your Medicare.gov credentials on any website other than Medicare.gov.
Enter Your Residential ZIP Code
Part D availability is based on where you permanently reside. Use the ZIP code associated with your permanent Medicare residence, not a temporary vacation address.
Select the Coverage to Compare
If you are looking for a stand-alone drug plan, select the option for Medicare drug plans — Part D. If you are enrolled in Medicare Advantage, stop and review how a stand-alone Part D enrollment could affect your current plan before proceeding.
Answer Assistance Questions
Medicare.gov may ask whether you receive Medicaid, Extra Help (Low Income Subsidy), or other assistance. Answer accurately — these answers affect which plans and costs are shown to you.
Enter Your Prescriptions
Add each prescription by name, dosage, quantity, and refill frequency. Use the exact drug name as it appears on your prescription label. Accurate entries produce more accurate estimated annual cost comparisons.
Select Your Pharmacy
Enter your preferred pharmacy. Medicare.gov will show estimated costs at that pharmacy. You may also add a second pharmacy to compare costs. Costs can vary significantly between pharmacies and between in-network and out-of-network status.
Review Estimated Annual Drug Costs
Medicare.gov calculates an estimated total annual cost for each plan based on your prescriptions and pharmacy. This estimate includes premiums, deductibles, and copays or coinsurance. Compare the estimated total annual cost — not just the monthly premium.
Review Plan Star Ratings and Coverage Details
Each plan displays a CMS star rating based on quality and performance. Review the formulary to confirm your prescriptions are covered and at what tier. Check whether your pharmacy is in-network.
Complete Your Enrollment on Medicare.gov
When you are ready to enroll, use the plan's Enroll button on Medicare.gov. You will complete the enrollment directly through Medicare.gov. The Medicare Dude does not submit, process, or complete your enrollment.
Optional: Request a No-Cost Prescription Review
Before you enroll, you may request a no-cost prescription review from William Gray. Send your prescription list by email and William will help you understand which plans may fit your needs. You make the final selection and complete your own enrollment through Medicare.gov.
Email My Prescription List for ReviewEmail Privacy Notice
Email privacy notice: Regular email may not be secure. Do not send your Social Security number, Medicare number, payment information, account passwords, detailed medical records, or photographs of identification cards.
Sending this email does not constitute enrollment, an enrollment request, a Scope of Appointment, consent to contact for unrelated marketing, or a guarantee of plan eligibility.
Ready to Compare Plans?
Visit Medicare.gov Plan Compare to enter your prescriptions, compare estimated annual costs, and complete your enrollment directly through Medicare.gov.
Medicare.gov is an official website of the U.S. government operated by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services. The Medicare Dude is an independent Medicare insurance agency and is not affiliated with Medicare, CMS, Social Security, or any government agency.