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Medicare beneficiaries are facing projected 2027 cost changes and possible reductions in plan choices and benefits, according to a Seniors Guide report. Several figures are forecasts rather than final rates, and beneficiaries will need to review plan notices and coverage details before choosing.
Medicare beneficiaries may face higher prescription-drug cost limits and fewer plan options in 2027, while several widely cited premium figures remain projections, according to a Seniors Guide report. The report describes expected changes to Part D and Medicare Advantage coverage, but says beneficiaries should check their plan notices and compare their own costs before selecting coverage during open enrollment from Oct. 15 through Dec. 7.
The report projects the standard Part B monthly premium at $209.50 for 2027, up from $202.90 in 2026, an increase of about 3%. It says the benchmark base Part D premium is expected to rise about 6%, while Medicare Advantage premiums are likely to remain flat compared with 2026. These are forecasts, not final rates. The report also says the Part D annual deductible is set to rise to $700 from $615, and the annual cap on beneficiaries’ Part D out-of-pocket costs to $2,400 from $2,100.
For Medicare Advantage, the report gives expected annual out-of-pocket maximums of $9,850 for in-network care and $14,800 for combined in- and out-of-network costs. Comparing Medicare Advantage and Medigap can help beneficiaries weigh coverage costs. It also cites a HealthScape Advisors survey in which 70% of surveyed Medicare Advantage executives said they expected their companies to trim benefits for 2027. Some insurers may narrow networks or leave markets, though the scale of changes will vary by plan and location, and Medicare Advantage access to special care can also vary.
Part D plans will be required to cover 15 additional medications in 2027 under Medicare’s drug-price negotiation program, the report says. It names drugs for conditions including asthma, COPD, diabetes and cancer. The report also describes a temporary program through the end of 2027 under which some eligible people may get coverage for certain GLP-1 weight-loss drugs at $50 a month if their drug plans do not cover them. Eligibility and plan-specific coverage need to be checked.
How Plan Changes Affect Choices
These changes could alter the balance between monthly premiums and total health costs. The report says rising Medigap premiums and the end of a subsidy that capped certain Part D premium increases at $50 this year may make Medicare Advantage look less expensive on a monthly basis. At the same time, benefit reductions, narrower provider networks or a plan’s exit from a market could make that coverage less suitable for some enrollees.
Beneficiaries should compare more than the advertised premium. Deductibles, copayments, medication coverage, provider access and annual out-of-pocket limits all affect what a plan may cost. A doctor or hospital included in a network in 2026 may not be included in 2027, and drug formularies and prices can change from year to year.
Switching from Medicare Advantage to Original Medicare can also carry risks. The report warns that a person seeking a Medigap policy after leaving an Advantage plan may face medical underwriting, denial or higher premiums, depending on eligibility and local rules. Checking availability and pricing before switching can help people understand their options; this is general information, not individualized insurance advice.
Medicare Part D prescription drug plan 2027
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What Beneficiaries Should Review
Medicare’s annual open enrollment runs Oct. 15 to Dec. 7. The Seniors Guide report says people with Part D or Medicare Advantage coverage should read their Annual Notice of Change, generally mailed in September. It describes adjustments to a plan’s costs and coverage and whether the plan will remain available the following year.
The report says the number of stand-alone Part D options has already fallen in many areas, citing Diane Omdahl, president of Medicare advisory firm 65 Incorporated. She said there were typically 23 to 26 drug plans in many areas in 2023, compared with 10 to 12 last year, and predicted fewer options in 2027. The number available to an individual will depend on where they live.
Medicare’s Plan Finder can help people compare plans and estimate costs. State Health Insurance Assistance Programs, or SHIPs, offer free guidance but do not recommend specific plans. Independent agents and brokers can also assist with choices; the report advises consumers to be alert to sales pressure.
“That is going to steer more people toward Medicare Advantage.”
— David Lipschutz, co-director of the Center for Medicare Advocacy
Which 2027 Plans Will Change
Several cost figures in the report are projections rather than finalized rates, and the available source does not establish the final premiums for every plan or location. It is also unclear how many insurers will reduce benefits, narrow networks or stop offering particular plans in 2027.
The report cites UnitedHealthcare as considering the cancellation of more than 3,500 plans nationwide and says Humana expects to lose about 600,000 members as it leaves certain markets. Those examples describe company plans or expectations, not confirmed outcomes for every affected enrollee. The report does not provide a complete list of affected plans, locations or members.
People should also verify whether specific medications, doctors and hospitals will be covered by the plan they are considering. The report’s description of the temporary GLP-1 program does not identify every qualifying drug or explain each enrollee’s eligibility. Plan documents and official Medicare information will be needed to confirm individual coverage.
Review Notices Before Enrollment
Beneficiaries should review their Annual Notice of Change when it arrives, then compare their current coverage with the 2027 options available in their area. They can use Medicare’s Plan Finder to check projected costs and Part D drug coverage, and verify that preferred doctors and hospitals remain in network. Anyone considering Original Medicare after an Advantage plan should check Medigap eligibility and pricing before making a change.
SHIP counselors can provide free help, while agents and brokers may assist with plan comparisons. The next key period is open enrollment, Oct. 15 through Dec. 7. Final plan terms and official cost figures should be checked in Medicare materials and the relevant insurer’s documents as they become available.
Key Questions
Are the projected Medicare 2027 premiums final?
No. The Seniors Guide report describes the projected Part B premium of $209.50 and a roughly 6% increase in the benchmark Part D premium as estimates. Check official Medicare information for final rates.
What Part D cost limits are expected to change?
The report says the annual Part D deductible is expected to increase to $700 from $615, and the annual out-of-pocket cap to $2,400 from $2,100. Confirm final terms and how they apply to your coverage.
When can I review or change my Medicare plan?
Medicare’s annual open enrollment is Oct. 15 through Dec. 7. Review your Annual Notice of Change and compare plans before choosing coverage for the following year.
Could my Medicare Advantage plan lose benefits or providers?
It could. The report cites a survey indicating that many Advantage executives expect benefit reductions, and says some insurers may narrow networks or leave markets. Check your plan’s 2027 documents for covered benefits and in-network providers.
Where can I get help comparing plans?
Medicare’s Plan Finder can help compare plans, drugs and costs. State Health Insurance Assistance Programs offer free guidance, though they do not recommend specific plans.
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