The average Part D plan’s monthly premium will increase by less than $1 next year, from $35.09 in 2026 to $36 in 2027. CMS notes that “88% of non-low-income beneficiaries will have access to a basic Part D plan that is $10.30 or less, and 93% of non-low-income beneficiaries will have access to an enhanced Part D plan at less than $6.”
If you will likely hit the $2400 annual out-of-pocket, that's an argument for signing up for the plan with lowest premium that covers your drugs. For example, Wellcare Value Script PDP premium is $5.30 in 2027 in New Jersey and has $0 copay/no-deductible for Tier 1 Preferred Generic drugs.
It's good to shop/review plans annually regardless of saving on premiums to verify your drugs are still covered by your preferred pharmacies. I *think* only covered drugs count toward the annual out-of-pocket of $2,400. Example of lower premium in 2027: Wellcare Value Script premium was $22.80 in 2026 in New Jersey and $5.30 in 2027.
It doesn't take much time to shop Part D plans during open enrollment. Login to medicare.gov, update your drugs and pharmacies, and see plans sorted by total cost (premiums plus drug copays/deductibles). You can often sign up for a Part D plan at medicare,gov. That will notify the previous plan to drop coverage on Dec. 31.
A good reminder that Original Medicare beneficiaries should shop Part D plans annually for formularies, preferred pharmacies, and total out-of-pocket. My Part D premium is increasing from $3.60 to $5.30. I can imagine that plans with better coverage, e.g., lower co-share for higher Tier drugs, have higher increases for 2027. I wonder if Medicare Advantage plans will increase premiums (often $0) if they're impacted by the government removing the drug plan premium subsidies.
Comments
Medicare Rights Center said on Oct. 1:
Post: Medicare Part D premium shock 2027
Link to comment from October 2, 2026
If you will likely hit the $2400 annual out-of-pocket, that's an argument for signing up for the plan with lowest premium that covers your drugs. For example, Wellcare Value Script PDP premium is $5.30 in 2027 in New Jersey and has $0 copay/no-deductible for Tier 1 Preferred Generic drugs.
Post: Medicare Part D premium shock 2027
Link to comment from October 1, 2026
It's good to shop/review plans annually regardless of saving on premiums to verify your drugs are still covered by your preferred pharmacies. I *think* only covered drugs count toward the annual out-of-pocket of $2,400. Example of lower premium in 2027: Wellcare Value Script premium was $22.80 in 2026 in New Jersey and $5.30 in 2027.
Post: Medicare Part D premium shock 2027
Link to comment from October 1, 2026
It doesn't take much time to shop Part D plans during open enrollment. Login to medicare.gov, update your drugs and pharmacies, and see plans sorted by total cost (premiums plus drug copays/deductibles). You can often sign up for a Part D plan at medicare,gov. That will notify the previous plan to drop coverage on Dec. 31.
Post: Medicare Part D premium shock 2027
Link to comment from September 30, 2026
A good reminder that Original Medicare beneficiaries should shop Part D plans annually for formularies, preferred pharmacies, and total out-of-pocket. My Part D premium is increasing from $3.60 to $5.30. I can imagine that plans with better coverage, e.g., lower co-share for higher Tier drugs, have higher increases for 2027. I wonder if Medicare Advantage plans will increase premiums (often $0) if they're impacted by the government removing the drug plan premium subsidies.
Post: Medicare Part D premium shock 2027
Link to comment from September 29, 2026
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Link to comment from July 13, 2026