Medicare drug coverage
Albuterol sulfate: 2027 Medicare Part D coverage
4,999 of 5,495 Part D plans (91%) list albuterol sulfate on their 2027 formulary, the plan's list of covered drugs (the same share as 2026). 0% of those require prior authorization, step therapy, or a quantity limit. Plan counts include both Medicare Advantage plans with drug coverage (5,172 MA-PD) and stand-alone drug plans (323 PDP).
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Data only, not plan advice. Confirm on Medicare.gov Plan Finder or 1-800-MEDICARE.
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2027 compared with 2026
Albuterol sulfate is number 88 by total Medicare Part D spending in 2024 ($553 million). Plans that list it most often put it on tier 4 (a tier is the cost level a plan puts a drug on; a lower tier usually costs less). Counts use 8 RxNorm products for this name.
| Measure | 2026 | 2027 | Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| Part D plans in the file | 5,518 | 5,495 | -23 |
| Plans that list it | 5,023 (91%) | 4,999 (91%) | no change |
| Prior authorization (of plans that list it) | 0 (0%) | 0 (0%) | no change |
| Step therapy (of plans that list it) | 0 (0%) | 0 (0%) | no change |
| Quantity limit (of plans that list it) | 0 (0%) | 0 (0%) | no change |
| Any of the three (of plans that list it) | 0 (0%) | 0 (0%) | no change |
| Not listed or restricted (of all plans) | 495 (9%) | 496 (9%) | no change |
Source: CMS 2027 Part D formulary file (basic drugs and plan information), as of October 8, 2026. Publisher page
Source: CMS 2026 Part D formulary file (basic drugs and plan information), as of September 30, 2026. Publisher page
Every 2027 stand-alone drug plan
Each stand-alone Part D plan (PDP) with albuterol sulfate's 2027 tier and limits. CMS files a PDP once per region, so one plan name can have several plan IDs; the row shows the tier and limits most of them use. Medicare Advantage drug plans are local: pick a state for its plan-by-plan table.
| Plan (PDP) | Plan IDs | 2027 tier | 2027 limits |
|---|---|---|---|
| AARP Medicare Rx Preferred from UHC (PDP) | 39 | Tier 4 | None |
| AARP Medicare Rx Saver from UHC (PDP) | 34 | Not listed | Not listed |
| Blue Medicare Rx Enhanced (PDP) | 1 | Not listed | Not listed |
| Blue Medicare Rx Standard (PDP) | 1 | Not listed | Not listed |
| Blue MedicareRx Essentials (PDP) | 1 | Tier 4 | None |
| Blue MedicareRx Plus (PDP) | 1 | Tier 4 | None |
| Blue MedicareRx Premier (PDP) | 1 | Tier 4 | None |
| Blue MedicareRx Value (PDP) | 1 | Tier 4 | None |
| Blue MedicareRx Value Plus (PDP) | 1 | Tier 4 | None |
| Blue Shield Rx Enhanced (PDP) | 1 | Tier 4 | None |
| Blue Shield Rx Plus (PDP) | 1 | Tier 4 | None |
| BlueMedicare Complete Rx (PDP) | 1 | Tier 4 | None |
| BlueMedicare Premier Rx (PDP) | 2 | Tier 4 | None |
| BlueMedicare Value Rx (PDP) | 1 | Tier 4 | None |
| BlueRx Enhanced Plus (PDP) | 1 | Tier 4 | None |
| BlueRx Essential (PDP) | 1 | Tier 4 | None |
| HealthSpring Assurance Rx (PDP) | 35 | Tier 4 | None |
| HealthSpring Extra Rx (PDP) | 2 | Tier 4 | None |
| HealthSpring Extra RX (PDP) | 3 | Tier 4 | None |
| Horizon Medicare Blue Rx Enhanced (PDP) | 1 | Tier 4 | None |
| Horizon Medicare Blue Rx Standard (PDP) | 1 | Tier 4 | None |
| Humana Basic Rx Plan (PDP) | 34 | Tier 4 | None |
| Humana Premier Rx Plan (PDP) | 34 | Tier 4 | None |
| Humana Value Rx Plan (PDP) | 34 | Tier 4 | None |
| MedicareBlue Rx Standard (PDP) | 1 | Tier 4 | None |
| Prescription Blue Premium (PDP) | 1 | Tier 4 | None |
| Prescription Blue Select (PDP) | 1 | Tier 4 | None |
| SilverScript Choice (PDP) | 20 | Tier 4 | None |
| Wellcare Classic (PDP) | 34 | Tier 3 | None |
| Wellcare Value Script (PDP) | 34 | Tier 1 | None |
Source: CMS 2027 Part D formulary file (basic drugs and plan information), as of October 8, 2026. Publisher page
Source: CMS CY2027 landscape file (states and parent organizations), as of September 30, 2026. Publisher page
Formulary tier
| Tier | 2026 plans | 2027 plans |
|---|---|---|
| Tier 1 | 140 (3%) | 340 (7%) |
| Tier 2 | 564 (11%) | 371 (7%) |
| Tier 3 | 50 (1%) | 80 (2%) |
| Tier 4 | 4,269 (85%) | 4,208 (84%) |
Source: CMS 2027 Part D formulary file (basic drugs and plan information), as of October 8, 2026. Publisher page
Source: CMS 2026 Part D formulary file (basic drugs and plan information), as of September 30, 2026. Publisher page
Plan by plan, 2026 to 2027
4,380 plan IDs are in both files. 0 of them (0%) added prior authorization, step therapy, or a quantity limit for albuterol sulfate, and 60 stopped listing it.
| Plan by plan | Plans |
|---|---|
| Same plan ID in both years | 4,380 |
| Listed it in 2026, not in 2027 | 60 (1%) |
| Listed it in 2027, not in 2026 | 45 (1%) |
| Moved it to a higher tier | 45 (1%) |
| Added prior authorization | 0 (0%) |
| Added step therapy | 0 (0%) |
| Added a quantity limit | 0 (0%) |
| Added at least one of the three | 0 (0%) |
| Removed at least one of the three | 0 (0%) |
| Plan IDs new in 2027 | 1,115 |
| 2026 plan IDs not in the 2027 file | 1,138 |
Source: CMS 2027 Part D formulary file (basic drugs and plan information), as of October 8, 2026. Publisher page
Source: CMS 2026 Part D formulary file (basic drugs and plan information), as of September 30, 2026. Publisher page
States from most to least restrictive
Share of 2027 Part D plans offered in each state that leave albuterol sulfate off the formulary or list it with prior authorization, step therapy, or a quantity limit. Pennsylvania ranks first at 31%, with 0% of its plans using prior authorization or step therapy; 5 states tie for the lowest, 1%. States at the same share are marked Tied and share a rank.
| Rank | State | 2027 plans | Not listed or restricted | Prior auth or step therapy | Change from 2026 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Pennsylvania | 324 | 31% | 0% | -1 point |
| 2 | Minnesota | 63 | 25% | 0% | +4 points |
| 3 | Wisconsin | 97 | 22% | 0% | no change |
| 4 | West Virginia | 70 | 21% | 0% | -4 points |
| 5 | North Dakota | 26 | 19% | 0% | +1 point |
| 6 | Oregon | 92 | 18% | 0% | no change |
| Tied 7 | Iowa | 64 | 17% | 0% | no change |
| Tied 7 | Nevada | 100 | 17% | 0% | -3 points |
| Tied 7 | South Dakota | 30 | 17% | 0% | no change |
| 10 | North Carolina | 177 | 16% | 0% | +8 points |
| 11 | Oklahoma | 81 | 15% | 0% | no change |
| Tied 12 | South Carolina | 91 | 14% | 0% | +2 points |
| Tied 12 | Delaware | 43 | 14% | 0% | +4 points |
| Tied 12 | New Jersey | 74 | 14% | 0% | +13 points |
| 15 | Alaska | 9 | 11% | 0% | no change |
| Tied 16 | California | 397 | 10% | 0% | -1 point |
| Tied 16 | Nebraska | 51 | 10% | 0% | +1 point |
| Tied 16 | Texas | 412 | 10% | 0% | +2 points |
| 19 | New York | 215 | 9% | 0% | no change |
| Tied 20 | Arizona | 148 | 8% | 0% | +1 point |
| Tied 20 | Wyoming | 13 | 8% | 0% | +3 points |
| 22 | Vermont | 14 | 7% | 0% | -1 point |
| Tied 23 | Maryland | 49 | 6% | 0% | -16 points |
| Tied 23 | Florida | 549 | 6% | 0% | +1 point |
| Tied 23 | Ohio | 173 | 6% | 0% | +2 points |
| Tied 23 | Indiana | 140 | 6% | 0% | no change |
| Tied 23 | Colorado | 106 | 6% | 0% | no change |
| Tied 28 | Georgia | 151 | 5% | 0% | +1 point |
| Tied 28 | Missouri | 171 | 5% | 0% | -2 points |
| Tied 28 | Michigan | 183 | 5% | 0% | +2 points |
| Tied 28 | District of Columbia | 21 | 5% | 0% | +1 point |
| Tied 32 | Washington | 114 | 4% | 0% | +2 points |
| Tied 32 | Massachusetts | 92 | 4% | 0% | no change |
| Tied 32 | Hawaii | 50 | 4% | 0% | -2 points |
| Tied 32 | New Hampshire | 25 | 4% | 0% | no change |
| Tied 32 | Montana | 27 | 4% | 0% | +1 point |
| Tied 37 | Alabama | 115 | 3% | 0% | -1 point |
| Tied 37 | Rhode Island | 29 | 3% | 0% | no change |
| Tied 39 | Louisiana | 126 | 2% | 0% | -1 point |
| Tied 39 | Illinois | 133 | 2% | 0% | +1 point |
| Tied 39 | Idaho | 45 | 2% | 0% | -2 points |
| Tied 39 | Virginia | 145 | 2% | 0% | no change |
| Tied 39 | Maine | 52 | 2% | 0% | no change |
| Tied 39 | Tennessee | 157 | 2% | 0% | -1 point |
| Tied 39 | Utah | 53 | 2% | 0% | -1 point |
| Tied 39 | Connecticut | 54 | 2% | 0% | no change |
| Tied 47 | New Mexico | 68 | 1% | 0% | no change |
| Tied 47 | Kansas | 84 | 1% | 0% | -2 points |
| Tied 47 | Arkansas | 86 | 1% | 0% | no change |
| Tied 47 | Mississippi | 105 | 1% | 0% | -1 point |
| Tied 47 | Kentucky | 123 | 1% | 0% | -1 point |
Source: CMS CY2027 landscape file (states and parent organizations), as of September 30, 2026. Publisher page
Source: CMS 2027 Part D formulary file (basic drugs and plan information), as of October 8, 2026. Publisher page
By parent organization
164 parent organizations offer 2027 Part D plans. Humana Inc. has the most, 884, and 0% of them leave albuterol sulfate off or restrict it.
| Parent organization | 2027 plans ↓ | List it | Restrict it (of listing) | Not listed or restricted | Change from 2026 | Plans that added a restriction |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Humana Inc. | 884 | 100% | 0% | 0% | no change | 0 |
| UnitedHealth Group, Inc. | 850 | 96% | 0% | 4% | no change | 0 |
| Devoted Health, Inc. | 728 | 100% | 0% | 0% | no change | 0 |
| CVS Health Corporation | 633 | 100% | 0% | 0% | no change | 0 |
| Elevance Health, Inc. | 294 | 100% | 0% | 0% | no change | 0 |
| Centene Corporation | 268 | 100% | 0% | 0% | no change | 0 |
| Health Care Service Corporation | 231 | 100% | 0% | 0% | no change | 0 |
| Kaiser Foundation Health Plan, Inc. | 112 | 100% | 0% | 0% | no change | 0 |
| Highmark Health | 98 | 22% | 0% | 78% | -4 points | 0 |
| SCAN Group | 85 | 100% | 0% | 0% | no change | 0 |
| Alignment Healthcare USA, LLC | 77 | 100% | 0% | 0% | no change | 0 |
| Guidewell Mutual Holding Corporation | 55 | 69% | 0% | 31% | -10 points | 0 |
| Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan Mutual Ins. Co. | 43 | 100% | 0% | 0% | no change | 0 |
| Molina Healthcare, Inc. | 43 | 100% | 0% | 0% | no change | 0 |
| Corewell Health | 40 | 100% | 0% | 0% | no change | 0 |
| Zing Health Consolidator, Inc | 36 | 100% | 0% | 0% | no change | 0 |
| CAPITAL BLUE CROSS | 35 | 100% | 0% | 0% | no change | 0 |
| Medica Holding Company | 31 | 87% | 0% | 13% | -1 point | 0 |
| UPMC Health System | 30 | 0% | none list it | 100% | no change | 0 |
| Universal Health Services, Inc. | 29 | 0% | none list it | 100% | no change | 0 |
| MHH Healthcare, L.P. | 26 | 77% | 0% | 23% | no change | 0 |
| Independence Health Group, Inc. | 25 | 56% | 0% | 44% | +44 points | 0 |
| Point32Health, Inc. | 23 | 100% | 0% | 0% | no change | 0 |
| BlueCross BlueShield of Tennessee | 22 | 100% | 0% | 0% | no change | 0 |
| California Physicians' Service | 22 | 100% | 0% | 0% | no change | 0 |
Source: CMS CY2027 landscape file (states and parent organizations), as of September 30, 2026. Publisher page
Source: CMS 2027 Part D formulary file (basic drugs and plan information), as of October 8, 2026. Publisher page
Near it by Part D spending
About this data
A plan here is one Part D plan as the CMS formulary files list it: contract, plan, and segment. That covers Medicare Advantage plans with drug coverage and stand-alone drug plans. A plan lists a drug when its formulary has a row for any RxNorm product of that name. When it has several, the row with the lowest tier is the one counted, and restricted means that row has prior authorization, step therapy, or a quantity limit.
A plan with no row for the drug counts as not listing it. That can be a product the file codes another way, so read a low count as a lookup result, not a coverage decision. A state counts every plan the CMS landscape file offers there. Parent organizations are named as CMS names them. The drug list is the top 200 by total Part D spending.
Source: CMS 2027 Part D formulary file (basic drugs and plan information), as of October 8, 2026. Publisher page
Source: CMS CY2027 landscape file (states and parent organizations), as of September 30, 2026. Publisher page
Source: CMS Medicare Part D Spending by Drug, 2024 data, as of June 25, 2026. Publisher page