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PlainMedicare

Is alprazolam covered by Medicare Part D?

4,983 of 5,052 Medicare Part D plan offerings (98.6%) list alprazolam on their 2026 formulary, most often on tier 2; 6.5% of the formularies that cover it require prior authorization. Part D spending on it was $64 million in 2024 for at least 2,295,526 people: what plans and patients paid at the pharmacy, before manufacturer rebates (CMS Part D Spending by Drug).

Plans that cover it
98.6%
4,983 of 5,052 offerings; the median drug: 76%
Usual tier
Tier 2
from tier 1 to tier 6
Prior authorization
6.5%
of formularies that cover it; the median drug: 1%
Quantity limits
92.9%
of formularies that cover it; the median drug: 30%

0.3% of the formularies that cover it require step therapy (trying another drug first).

Source: CMS Part D formulary file, 2026 second quarter: the formularies in use in 2026. A plan's 2027 formulary can differ; check your own plan's coverage in Medicare Plan Finder.

What does it cost under Part D in 2027?

Your yearly cap in 2027
Out-of-pocket spending on covered Part D drugs stops at $2,400 in 2027 ($2,100 in 2026); after that, you pay nothing for covered drugs for the rest of the year.
The deductible
A plan's drug deductible is at most $700 in 2027 ($615 in 2026); many plans charge less or none.

Source: CMS, Announcement of calendar year 2027 Part D parameters; Medicare.gov, “How much does Medicare drug coverage cost?” (read Oct. 7, 2026).

How much does Medicare spend on it?

Part D spending by year

2020$103 million
2021$122 million
2022$107 million
2023$81 million
2024 (latest)$64 million

2,295,526 people filled it under Part D in 2024, in 11,690,992 claims. The amounts are what plans and patients paid at the pharmacy, before manufacturer rebates.

Source: CMS Medicare Part D Spending by Drug, 2020 to 2024 (published June 2026). Row used: Alprazolam (Alprazolam), Alprazolam ER (Alprazolam), Alprazolam ODT (Alprazolam), Alprazolam XR (Alprazolam).

Which forms and strengths are counted?

  • 24 hour alprazolam 0.5 mg extended-release oral tablet
  • 24 hour alprazolam 1 mg extended-release oral tablet
  • 24 hour alprazolam 2 mg extended-release oral tablet
  • 24 hour alprazolam 3 mg extended-release oral tablet
  • alprazolam 0.25 mg disintegrating oral tablet
  • alprazolam 0.25 mg oral tablet
  • alprazolam 0.5 mg disintegrating oral tablet
  • alprazolam 0.5 mg oral tablet
  • alprazolam 1 mg disintegrating oral tablet
  • alprazolam 1 mg oral tablet
  • alprazolam 1 mg/ml oral solution
  • alprazolam 2 mg disintegrating oral tablet

and 1 more

What else should you check?

Data, not medical advice. Coverage is the share of plan formularies listing the drug; your plan's formulary, tier and pharmacy decide what you pay.