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Medicare and your cancer drugs
Here's how Medicare pays for cancer treatment, in plain language. Adapted from Medicare.gov (a U.S. government source).
💉 Part B: drugs given by a provider
- Usually covers drugs you wouldn't give yourself, like infusions in a doctor's office or hospital outpatient clinic.
- Covers chemo as a hospital outpatient or in a doctor's office or freestanding clinic. (Part A covers it if you're a hospital inpatient.)
- After the Part B deductible, you typically pay 20% of the Medicare-approved amount.
- Covers some cancer pills if the same drug comes in an injectable form, and some anti-nausea pills used within 48 hours of chemo.
💊 Part D: drugs you take at home
- Most cancer pills you fill at a pharmacy fall under your Part D plan or Medicare Advantage drug coverage.
- In 2026, once your out-of-pocket costs for covered Part D drugs reach $2,100, you pay $0 for covered drugs for the rest of the year. The limit is set to be $2,400 in 2027.
- The Medicare Prescription Payment Plan lets you spread those costs into monthly bills. It doesn't lower the total, but it can help with big costs early in the year. It's free to join.
Extra Help
Extra Help is a Medicare program that helps people with limited income and resources pay Part D premiums, deductibles and copays. You get it automatically if you have full Medicaid, help from your state paying Part B premiums, or SSI. Otherwise you can apply through Social Security, and your State Health Insurance Assistance Program (SHIP) can help for free.
Which part covers my drug?
Usually Part B (given by IV or injection): Keytruda, Opdivo, Herceptin, Avastin, Elahere, Carboplatin, Paclitaxel (Taxol), Oxaliplatin, 5-FU (fluorouracil), Doxorubicin (Adriamycin), Cyclophosphamide, Docetaxel (Taxotere), Irinotecan, Pemetrexed (Alimta)
Usually Part D (pills): Tagrisso, Ibrance, Verzenio, Tamoxifen, Lynparza, Zejula, Xtandi
Coverage depends on your plan and where you get treatment. Call your plan or 1-800-MEDICARE to confirm.
Copay cards and Medicare
Manufacturer copay cards generally can't be used with Medicare. Independent foundations can often help; see paying for cancer treatment.
Common questions
Does Medicare cover chemotherapy?
Yes. Part A covers it if you're a hospital inpatient. Part B covers it if you're a hospital outpatient or get it in a doctor's office or freestanding clinic.
What is the Part D out-of-pocket limit in 2026?
According to Medicare.gov, once your out-of-pocket spending on covered Part D drugs reaches $2,100 in 2026 ($2,400 in 2027), you pay nothing for covered Part D drugs for the rest of the year.
Can I use a manufacturer copay card with Medicare?
Generally no. Look at independent foundations, Extra Help and free-drug programs instead.
Written by the Cancer Side Effects Guide team from FDA labels and leading cancer centers. Not medical advice. · Last updated: October 15, 2026 · How we write