How Do I Use the Medicare Plan Finder Tool?
Key Takeaways
- The federal Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services provides an online Medicare Plan Finder tool.
- The tool can help you review your options for Medicare Part D or Medicare Advantage plans.
- You can search to see how much your prescriptions will cost with various plans.
- For some plans, the tool may include information available about provider networks and additional benefits.
The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) administer Medicare, the public health insurance program for U.S. adults who are at least 65 years old or have certain disabilities. One way that CMS can help you navigate your coverage options is an online Medicare Plan Finder tool. You might find Plan Finder useful as you explore the benefits available to you from private insurance carriers.
Many people join or switch Medicare Advantage or Medicare Part D plans during the Medicare Annual Enrollment Period, which runs from October 15 to December 7. As part of your shopping process, you could try using the CMS Medicare Plan Finder tool to narrow down your choices. Let’s look at the Plan Finder’s current features and limitations to see how it might help you.
We're here to help you choose the ideal plan.
Medicare Part D and Medicare Advantage
After you enroll in the federally administered Original Medicare program (Medicare Part A and Part B), you can choose to add a Medicare Part D prescription drug plan or switch to a Medicare Advantage plan:
- A Part D plan covers most of the medications that you take at home; Original Medicare generally only covers drugs administered in a clinical setting like a doctor’s office or hospital.
- A Medicare Advantage plan (also called Medicare Part C) substitutes for Original Medicare coverage and often includes additional benefits. A Medicare Advantage Prescription Drug plan features Part D coverage.
Coverage details and costs vary by plan, and plan availability is based on where you live. According to analysis from the healthcare policy nonprofit KFF, a person on Medicare in 2026 can pick from eight to 12 different Part D plans or from an average of 39 different Medicare Advantage plans, depending on their ZIP code.
Checking for Your Prescriptions
All Medicare Part D and Medicare Advantage Prescription Drug plans must cover at least two medications in all commonly prescribed categories. Plans are also legally required to cover most medications in certain protected classes like treatments for cancer, HIV, and depression.
However, there are differences in coverage and costs among prescription drug plans. Carriers set each plan’s premiums and deductibles, and they organize covered drugs into tiers that are associated with a range of copays. Depending on which plan you’re on, you may pay higher out-of-pocket costs for some drugs, and a specific medication may not be covered at all.
The Medicare Plan Finder tool can help you learn how a Part D or Medicare Advantage Prescription Drug plan covers specific drugs. After entering your prescription information, you’ll compare how much you’d pay for a regular supply on each plan. By finding the right balance of costs and coverage, you’ll make a more informed choice about your health insurance.
Searching for Preferred Providers and Additional Benefits
One key difference between Original Medicare and a Medicare Advantage plan is that Medicare Advantage plans may offer additional benefits. The Medicare Plan Finder compiles some information about these features, but not the full details. If you spot benefits that you’re interested in, you’ll likely need to check with the insurance carrier to learn more.
Another important distinction is provider network: If you’re on Original Medicare, you can see any doctor who takes Medicare. But to get the most out of a Medicare Advantage plan, you must visit doctors and pharmacies that are in your provider network. If you want to keep seeing your current healthcare providers, you should confirm that they’ll be covered before joining a plan.
As of the Annual Enrollment Period for 2025, the Medicare Plan Finder tool is starting to include information from network directories. This will make it easier to identify what plan includes your preferred doctors. You can now enter the names of up to five healthcare providers to see whether they’re in network for the plans you’re considering.
According to KFF, however, the physician search is still a work in progress. Some plans haven’t submitted their network details yet, and the data in the system might be confusing or inaccurate. While the tool continues to improve, it’s still a good idea to check with insurance carriers to verify that your doctor is covered.
The Medicare Plan Finder is one way to get started exploring the possibilities for Medicare Part D or Medicare Advantage coverage. You can find the right fit for you by considering what you’re looking for in prescription coverage, provider networks, additional benefits, and costs. Be sure to confirm that you’re acting on the most current information by checking with the insurance carrier.
Still have questions? GoHealth has the answers you need.
Sources
Explore your Medicare coverage options. CMS.
Is Medicare’s New Provider Search Tool a Step in the Right Direction? KFF
Important Medicare Plan Finder Improvements Planned This Fall, More Work Needed. Medicare Rights Center.
A Current Snapshot of the Medicare Part D Prescription Drug Benefit. KFF.