It depends.  In general, you should find similar drug costs as you travel across the country.  But, since retail drug prices can vary between network pharmacies, your actual drug costs can fluctuate depending on whether you have co-insurance (for example, you pay a percent of retail, such as 25%) or whether your Medicare Part D plan has a fixed co-pay for your medication (for example, you pay a fixed cost of $30) - and whether your co-pays vary between standard and preferred network pharmacies.

Co-payment prices can vary between standard network pharmacies and preferred network pharmacies

Here is an example from 2019 showing how co-payments can vary between preferred and standard network pharmacies using the 2019 California SilverScript Choice (PDP) plan:


Note: The preferred and standard network pharmacy cost-sharing can vary by state.  You can use our Rx$ icon on our PDP-Finder or MA-Finder to see the cost-sharing details for all tiers and pharmacies for any Medicare Part D or Medicare Advantage plan with prescription drug coverage.

Retail drug prices may vary pharmacy-to-pharmacy, but should remain fairly consistent as you travel

Here is a short example from 2016 using three popular brand-name medications and two different network pharmacies in three different states (for this example Medicare Part D plan, CVS has "Standard Cost Sharing" and Wal-Mart Pharmacy has "Preferred Cost Sharing").  As you can see we are actually comparing three different 2016 "AARP MedicareRx Preferred (PDP)" Medicare Part D plans in three different regions to show that retail drug prices can stay consistent across the country - although retail prices can vary between different network pharmacies.:


(Source: Medicare.gov Plan Finder 07/12/2016) Also see our 2016 Medicare Part D plan Archive

Here is the same example with 2018 retail price data (and the addition of a generic equivalent).  Please note the change in the drugs' negotiated retail drug prices over these two years.  On a positive note, again we see that retail drug prices can remain consistent as you visit the same pharmacy (preferred network pharmacy (example: WalMart) or standard network pharmacy (example: CVS)) located in different parts of the country.


(Source: Medicare.gov Plan Finder 06/08/2018) and see our Q1Rx.com Medicare Part D Drug Finder

Question: What if I am traveling while in the Coverage Gap or Donut Hole?

If you have spent your way through your Initial Coverage Period and entered your Medicare drug plan's Coverage Gap or Donut Hole, you will pay 25% of the retail price for your formulary brand-name and generic medications. 

Again, the Donut Hole discount will be applied to your plan's negotiated retail price that can vary between network and preferred network pharmacies and even between preferred pharmacies.  So like our example above, if you are traveling while in the Donut Hole, you may pay different prices for your formulary medications, depending on the retail drug prices at your chosen pharmacy.

As a note: Even though we say the Donut Hole is "closed", you may find that when you enter the Coverage Gap (Donut Hole) the cost of your formulary medications can increase, decrease, or stay the same - depending on your Medicare drug plan, your cost-sharing, and the drug's retail price.  You can click on our FAQ "Did the Coverage Gap or Donut Hole just close up and go away?" to read more.

Bottom Line #1:  You will probably have no problem finding one of your Medicare plan's network pharmacies as you travel.

Most Medicare prescription drug plans include more than 50,000 to 60,000 pharmacies in their network - and you can always call your Medicare Part D plan to find a nearby network (or preferred network) pharmacy - the toll-free number for your Medicare Part D plan's Member Services department is found on your Member ID card.
Bottom Line #2:  Retail prices and your coverage can vary pharmacy-to-pharmacy.

If you travel across the country and use different network pharmacies, and either pay co-insurance (such as 25% of retail) or are in the Coverage Gap, your coverage costs can vary between the different pharmacies.

You can contact your Medicare plan's Member Services (the telephone number is on your Member ID card) to learn more about what you will pay as you travel.

Question: What happens if we permanently move to another part of the country?
If you move to another state or Medicare Part D region and leave your plan's Service Area, you are granted a Special Enrollment Period (SEP) and this SEP allows you to join a new Medicare plan (Medicare Part D or Medicare Advantage plan) in your new location.

When looking at plans available in your new area, you may find that the same Medicare Part D plans are not offered in all areas of the country - or you may find that if the same Medicare Part D plan is available, but the plan has a different formulary and cost-sharing structure that is tailored to your location.

In this case, it is possible that when you join another Medicare Part D plan in a new area, your cost-sharing for your medications can be different.

Important:  Learn about your Medicare Part D plan or Medicare Advantage plan options before moving (for assistance, call a Medicare representative at 1-800-633-4227).

How does all this apply to Medicare Advantage plans that include prescription drug coverage?

All of this information is applicable to stand-alone Medicare Part D prescription drug plans (PDPs) or Medicare Advantage plans that include prescription drug coverage (MAPDs).

MAPDs have a Service Area often defined only by a ZIP code (or county or partial-ZIP) and if you move to another county or city that is only a few miles from your original residence, you can find that your Medicare Advantage plan is not available or you may find that your coverage is different in the location - even when your Medicare Advantage plan has the same name or - even when you are still within the same state.  In other words, you may find that you can join an MAPD with the same name, but the coverage and cost can vary in your new location.