Some Medicare Part D Members Face Premium Increases of $50 a Month

Some beneficiaries without low-income subsidies could see their stand-alone Medicare Part D drug-plan premiums rise by $50 a month or more in 2027 if they stay with certain plans, KFF reports. About 4 million people in that same unsubsidized group paid no monthly premium in 2026 but will face a premium next year. The increases are not universal, making individual plan comparisons important when Medicare Open Enrollment begins October 15.

A smaller menu of drug plans

KFF found that the average beneficiary will have nine stand-alone Part D prescription plans to choose from for 2027, down from 11 in 2026. Nationwide plan offerings are decreasing as some insurers withdraw specific products from regions. This story concerns stand-alone prescription coverage, not Medicare Advantage plans that already include drug benefits.

Why the national average hides the risk

CMS projects that the average monthly stand-alone Part D premium will increase by less than one dollar, to about $36 in 2027. But a national average can conceal larger changes in individual products. KFF found higher premiums for some people who remain in their current plans, including increases of at least $50 in many states for certain AARP-branded UnitedHealthcare plans.

Zero-premium plans disappear for one group

KFF found that no stand-alone Part D plan will have a zero monthly premium in 2027 for beneficiaries without low-income subsidies. About 4 million stand-alone Part D enrollees without those subsidies paid no monthly premium in 2026. People receiving the Extra Help low-income subsidy are subject to different premium rules and should not be included in a blanket statement that every Part D enrollee will pay more.

The decision window

Medicare Open Enrollment begins October 15 and ends December 7. People comparing options should check their actual prescription list, pharmacy network, premiums and expected annual drug costs, not only the advertised monthly price. Different plans can place the same medication on different tiers or have different restrictions. The most important comparison is what a particular person would pay for their own medicines in 2027.

References: Many Medicare Part D Stand-Alone Drug Plan Enrollees Will See Modest Premium Increases for 2027, But Others Could Pay Much More If They Don’t Switch Plans | Medicare Advantage and Medicare Prescription Drug Programs Expected to Remain Stable in 2027