Prescription drug coverage options are shrinking for Medicare shoppers

Fewer choices may be on the menu again as Medicare patients shop for prescription coverage this fall. The number of available, stand-alone drug plans has fallen for a few years, and that trend will continue for 2026. Most markets will still have several choices, but options are becoming particularly sparse for shoppers with low-income subsidies who want to pay no premium. Plus, help may be harder to find as some big insurers no longer pay brokers commissions for new business. Shoppers have just a few weeks starting October 15 to sort out coverage for next year.