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A report on expected 2027 Medicare changes says Part D cost limits will rise, drug-plan choices may shrink, and some Medicare Advantage insurers are reducing benefits or leaving markets. Several figures, including premiums, are projections rather than final 2027 amounts, and beneficiaries should check their plan notices and local options before choosing coverage.
Medicare beneficiaries face projected cost and coverage changes in 2027, including higher Part D deductible and out-of-pocket limits and potentially fewer prescription-drug plans, according to a Seniors Guide report. The report also says some Medicare Advantage insurers expect to reduce benefits or exit markets, making it important for enrollees to check their specific plan’s costs, drug coverage and provider network before choosing coverage.
The report projects the standard Part B monthly premium will rise about 3%, from $202.90 in 2026 to $209.50 in 2027. It says the benchmark base Part D premium is expected to increase about 6%, while Medicare Advantage premiums paid in addition to Part B are likely to remain flat. These are projections, not final rates. Actual costs can differ by plan and, for some beneficiaries, income.
For Part D, the report projects a maximum annual deductible of $700, up from $615 in 2026, and an annual out-of-pocket cap of $2,400, up from $2,100. It also says Part D plans will be required to cover 15 additional medicines in 2027 under Medicare’s drug price negotiation program. The report lists medicines for conditions including asthma, COPD, diabetes and cancer, but does not identify the drugs in the material provided.
Medicare Advantage plans may change more than their premiums. A survey by HealthScape Advisors found that 70% of surveyed Advantage executives expected to trim benefits for 2027, the report says. It also describes insurers eliminating out-of-network coverage or leaving some markets. UnitedHealthcare is considering canceling more than 3,500 plans, while Humana expects to lose about 600,000 members as it exits certain markets, according to the report. Those company figures describe plans or expected membership changes, not confirmed nationwide cancellations affecting every enrollee.
How Plan Changes Affect Choices
The changes could alter the trade-offs between Original Medicare and Medicare Advantage. Original Medicare generally allows beneficiaries to see providers who accept Medicare, while many people buy Medigap coverage to help pay costs Original Medicare does not cover. The report says double-digit Medigap premium increases are likely, which may make Advantage plans cheaper on a monthly-premium basis for some people. It also reports that federal subsidies that had capped monthly increases in Part D plan premiums at $50 in 2026 are ending early for 2027; the effect will depend on the plan and enrollee.
But a lower premium does not necessarily mean lower total costs. Advantage plans can have networks and benefit rules that change from year to year, while prescription plans can alter covered drugs and prices. The report cites projected Advantage out-of-pocket maximums of $9,850 for in-network care and $14,800 for combined in- and out-of-network costs. Beneficiaries’ actual bills depend on the services they use, the plan’s terms and whether their providers and medicines are covered.
These decisions can have lasting consequences. Someone switching from Advantage to Original Medicare may want Medigap, but insurers can sometimes deny an application or charge higher premiums outside guaranteed-issue protections. The report advises checking eligibility and local Medigap prices before making a switch. Medicare decisions are individual; this report does not establish that one coverage type is best for all beneficiaries.
Medicare Part D prescription drug plan 2027
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The 2027 Enrollment Calendar
Medicare’s annual open enrollment runs Oct. 15 through Dec. 7. During that period, people can review and make certain changes to their Medicare coverage for the coming year. The Seniors Guide report says beneficiaries should read the Annual Notice of Change, which plans mail in September, to learn whether premiums, covered services, drug rules or provider networks will change and whether their current plan will still be offered.
Plan choices have already narrowed, according to Diane Omdahl, president of Medicare advisory firm 65 Incorporated, quoted by Seniors Guide. She said that while many areas had 23 to 26 Part D plans in 2023, there were 10 to 12 last year, and she expects fewer in 2027. The report does not provide a final count for next year or show how availability will vary by location.
The report also describes a temporary program through the end of 2027 under which some eligible people could receive coverage for certain GLP-1 weight-loss drugs at a $50 monthly cost if their drug plans do not cover them. Eligibility and the drugs involved matter; readers should check official Medicare information and their plan documents rather than assume the program applies to them.
“That is going to steer more people toward Medicare Advantage.”
— David Lipschutz, co-director of the Center for Medicare Advocacy, quoted by Seniors Guide
Medicare Advantage plan benefits 2027
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Final Rates and Local Plans
Many 2027 figures remain estimates in the source report. It does not provide final premium announcements, a confirmed nationwide count of Part D plans, or complete market-by-market lists of Advantage plans that will close or change. The precise effect of insurer exits, benefit reductions and network changes will depend on where a beneficiary lives and which plan they hold.
The report also does not identify all 15 additional negotiated medicines or spell out the full eligibility rules for the temporary GLP-1 coverage described. It says Medicare Advantage annual out-of-pocket limits are expected to reach the stated amounts, but individual plan design and covered services still matter. Readers should treat the figures as reported projections and verify details in official Medicare materials and plan notices.
Medigap supplemental insurance 2027
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Review Notices Before December 7
Beneficiaries should review their Annual Notice of Change when it arrives in September, checking premiums, deductibles, drug formularies, pharmacies, doctors, hospitals and whether the plan will continue in their area. During open enrollment, Medicare’s Plan Finder can be used to compare estimated costs and coverage for available Part D, Advantage and Medigap options. People considering a move from Advantage to Original Medicare should check Medigap eligibility and pricing before dropping their current plan.
Free counseling is available through State Health Insurance Assistance Programs, known as SHIPs; the report says counselors can answer questions but do not recommend specific plans. Independent agents and brokers can also help with plan selection, though beneficiaries should be alert to sales pressure. Final 2027 plan details and rates should be checked against official notices as they become available.
Medicare out-of-pocket maximum calculator
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Key Questions
When can beneficiaries change Medicare coverage for 2027?
Medicare’s annual open enrollment is Oct. 15 through Dec. 7. Review the plan’s September Annual Notice of Change before choosing coverage.
How much is the projected 2027 Part B premium?
The Seniors Guide report projects a standard monthly Part B premium of $209.50, about 3% above the reported 2026 amount of $202.90. This is an estimate, not a final rate.
What Part D cost limits are projected for 2027?
The report projects a maximum annual deductible of $700 and an out-of-pocket cap of $2,400. The figures are reported projections; beneficiaries should confirm final details and their plan’s terms.
Will Medicare Advantage benefits change?
Some insurers may reduce benefits, alter provider networks or leave certain markets, according to the report. Changes vary by plan and location, so check the 2027 notice and provider directory for the specific plan.
Where can people get help comparing plans?
Medicare’s Plan Finder can help compare available coverage and estimated costs. State Health Insurance Assistance Programs also offer free guidance, though they do not recommend specific plans.
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