Prescription Drugs
Drug List
Quick answer
'Drug list' is the everyday name for a formulary — the list of prescription drugs a plan covers, organized by tier.
Plain-English definition
Plans publish drug lists online and update them at least annually.
Why it matters
Always check next year's drug list during AEP.
A simple example
You compare next year's drug list to make sure your medication is still covered.
Common mistakes & misconceptions
Related terms
Formulary
A formulary is the official list of prescription drugs a Medicare Part D or Medicare Advantage plan covers, organized by tier. Every plan has its own formulary, and the same drug can be a different tier from one plan to another.
Medicare Part D
Medicare Part D is prescription drug coverage sold by private insurance companies approved by Medicare. You get it either as a stand-alone drug plan (PDP) with Original Medicare or bundled inside most Medicare Advantage plans.
Frequently asked questions
Is a drug list the same as a formulary?+
Yes.
Sources & references
📚 Where this information comes from
- Medicare.gov — official U.S. government site for people with Medicare ↗Primary source for benefits, enrollment periods, and plan comparison.
- CMS.gov — Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services ↗Federal rulemaking, program updates, and official guidance.
- Social Security Administration — Medicare enrollment & premiums ↗Enrollment, premium withholding, and IRMAA determinations.
When you're ready, compare plans on your own terms
See Medicare Advantage plans from the insurance companies we represent, or walk the course with a licensed agent whenever you'd like a second set of eyes.
We help compare Medicare Advantage plans from the insurance companies we represent, and we don't offer every plan available in your area.
Medicare Caddies is an independent insurance agency. We are not affiliated with, endorsed by, or connected to the U.S. government, the federal Medicare program, or the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS). We help compare Medicare Advantage plans from the insurance companies we represent, and we don't offer every plan available in your area.