Does Medicare Part D Cover Insulin?

Yes. Medicare covers insulin, and your cost is capped. A one-month supply of each covered insulin costs no more than $35, and you do not have to meet a deductible first. That cap applies whether your insulin is covered by Part D or by Part B, and it stays in place for 2027.

More than 1 in 4 adults age 65 and older have diabetes, according to the CDC, so knowing which part of Medicare pays for your insulin and supplies can save you real money. Here is how it works.

Medicare and Insulin Coverage

Which part of Medicare covers your insulin depends on how you take it.

Source: Medicare.gov, Insulin coverage.

Part B also covers other diabetes supplies, such as blood sugar monitors, test strips and continuous glucose monitors, when you meet Medicare’s rules. For those, you usually pay 20% of the Medicare-approved amount after the Part B deductible.

What Are Your Costs with Medicare?

• One-month supply: No more than $35 for each covered insulin.
• Three-month supply: Generally no more than $105, because the $35 cap applies to each month.
• Deductible: None for insulin, even if your plan has a drug deductible.
• Extra Help: The $35 cap still applies, and you may pay even less.
• Medigap: If you have a Medigap plan that pays your Part B coinsurance, it should cover your Part B insulin costs.

What you pay for insulin also counts toward your yearly Part D out-of-pocket cap. That cap is $2,100 in 2026 and $2,400 in 2027. Once you reach it, you pay $0 for covered drugs for the rest of the year. The old coverage gap, or donut hole, ended in 2025.

Does the $35 Cap Apply to Every Insulin?

It applies to every insulin your plan covers. Plans do not have to cover every brand, so check your plan’s formulary (its list of covered drugs) before you enroll. If your insulin is not on the list, you could pay full price. Your doctor can ask your plan for an exception, or you can switch to a covered insulin.

Does Medicare Advantage Cover Insulin?

Yes. If your Medicare Advantage plan includes drug coverage, it must follow the same $35 monthly cap and no-deductible rule. Some plans also offer extra diabetes benefits, so compare plans if you have diabetes.

How to Pay Less for Insulin and Diabetes Care

• Review your plan every year during open enrollment, October 15 to December 7, because formularies and pharmacy networks change.
• Ask your plan about the Medicare Prescription Payment Plan if your other drugs are expensive. It spreads your costs into monthly payments.
• See if you qualify for Extra Help with drug costs.
• Use your plan’s preferred pharmacies or mail order for other medications.

Learn more about Medicare coverage for diabetes.