Types of UnitedHealthcare Plans
Medicare Prescription Drug (Part D) Plans
Get help covering the cost of your prescription drugs.
A Medicare prescription drug (Part D) plan can help pay for your medication.
What do Medicare prescription drug plans cover?
Medicare prescription drug (Part D) plans cover the types of drugs most often prescribed for people enrolled in Medicare. This is decided by the federal government. Every Part D plan has specific brand name and generic drugs it covers within those types.
What should I know about a plan's drug list?
A drug list (also called a formulary) tells you what drugs are covered by a plan.
- A drug list can change from year to year.
Part D plans can add or remove drugs from their drug list each year. The list can also change for other reasons. For example, if a drug is taken off the market. Your plan will let you know if there's a coverage change to a drug you're taking.
- Many Part D plans have a tiered drug list.
Tiers divide drugs into groups based on cost. In general, drugs in low tiers cost you less than drugs in high tiers. Sometimes plans charge deductibles for certain drug tiers.
Drug list tiers:
Tier 1
$
(Lowest cost)
Tier 2
$$
Tier 3
$$$
Tier 4
$$$$
Tier 5
$$$$$
(Highest cost)
What does it mean if my prescription drug has a requirement or limitation?
Plans have rules that limit how and when they cover certain drugs. These rules are called requirements or limitations. You need to follow these rules to avoid paying the full cost of the drug out-of-pocket. If needed, you and your doctor can also ask the plan for an exception.
Here are the requirements and limitations you may see on a drug list:
PA – Prior Authorization
The plan needs more information from your doctor about how the drug is going to be used before it will pay.
QL – Quantity Limits
The plan will cover only a certain amount of a drug or type of drug for one copay or over a certain number of days.
ST – Step Therapy
The plan wants you to try one or more lower-cost alternative drugs before it will cover the drug that costs more.
B/D – Medicare Part B or Medicare Part D Coverage Determination
Some drugs may be covered by either Medicare Part B (doctor and outpatient health care) or Medicare Part D (prescription drugs). The plan needs more information about how a drug will be used to make sure it's covered by the right part of Medicare.
Covered Insulin Costs
For Chronic Special Needs Plans in 2025, you will pay a maximum of $25 for each 1-month supply of Part D covered insulin drug until the Catastrophic Coverage stage, when you will pay nothing.
For all other plans in 2025, you will pay a maximum of $35 for each 1-month supply of Part D covered insulin drug until the Catastrophic Coverage stage, when you will pay nothing.
How can I get the best value from my Medicare prescription drug plan?
- Know the drug list.
Make sure your medication is on a plan's drug list. If it's not, check with your provider to see if there's one on the drug list you can switch to.
- Consider generics.
Ask your provider about generic or low‑cost options to replace higher-tier or more expensive drugs.
- Ask if your plan participates in the Part D Senior Savings Model for Insulin1.
- Show your member ID card.
Be sure to show your member ID card when filling prescriptions to get any member cost savings.
- Use the mail order pharmacy.
Convenient home delivery of your regular, maintenance medications can save time and money.
- Use a preferred network pharmacy.
Many plans offer cost savings if you fill your prescriptions at a pharmacy that's part of the plan's preferred network.
1You will pay a maximum of $35 for each 1-month supply of Part D covered insulin drug through all coverage stages.
Read Next:
Enrollment Basics
UnitedHealthcare and AARP Medicare Plans
See all of the Medicare Advantage, Medicare Prescription Drug, and Medicare Supplement plans where you live.
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UnitedHealthcare Insurance Company pays royalty fees to AARP for the use of its intellectual property. These fees are used for the general purposes of AARP. AARP and its affiliates are not insurers. AARP does not employ or endorse agents, brokers or producers.
AARP® encourages you to consider your needs when selecting products and does not make product recommendations for individuals.
Please note that each insurer has sole financial responsibility for its products.
AARP® Medicare Supplement Insurance Plans
AARP endorses the AARP Medicare Supplement Insurance Plans, insured by UnitedHealthcare Insurance Company.
Insured by UnitedHealthcare Insurance Company, 185 Asylum Street, Hartford, CT 06103 (available in all states/territories except ND, NY) or UnitedHealthcare Insurance Company of America, 1600 McConnor Parkway, Floor 2, Schaumburg, IL 60173 (available in AR, AZ, IL, IN, MS, NC, ND, NJ, OH, PA, SC, TN, TX) or UnitedHealthcare Insurance Company of New York, 2950 Expressway Drive South, Suite 240, Islandia, NY 11749 (for NY residents). Policy Form No. GRP 79171 GPS-1 (G-36000-4).
In some states, plans may be available to persons under age 65 who are eligible for Medicare by reason of disability or End-Stage Renal Disease.
Not connected with or endorsed by the U.S. Government or the federal Medicare program.
This is a solicitation of insurance. A licensed insurance agent/producer may contact you.
You must be an AARP member to enroll in an AARP Medicare Supplement Plan.
THESE PLANS HAVE ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS, EXCLUSIONS AND LIMITATIONS. FOR COSTS AND COMPLETE DETAILS (INCLUDING OUTLINES OF COVERAGE), CALL A LICENSED INSURANCE AGENT/PRODUCER AT THE TOLL-FREE NUMBER ABOVE.
Medicare Advantage plans and Medicare Prescription Drug plans
Plans are insured through UnitedHealthcare Insurance Company or one of its affiliated companies, a Medicare Advantage organization with a Medicare contract and a Medicare-approved Part D sponsor. Enrollment in these plans depends on the plan's contract renewal with Medicare. You do not need to be an AARP member to enroll in a Medicare Advantage plan or Medicare Prescription Drug plan.
This information is not a complete description of benefits. Contact the plan for more information.
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