What We Know So Far About Medicare Changes for 2027

Every fall brings a new set of Medicare numbers, and a lot of them don't land until late in the year. Here's what's confirmed for 2027, what isn't yet, and when the rest arrives.

Part D prescription costs are going up

Two figures are final.

The standard Part D deductible rises to $700, up from $615 in 2026. That's a steeper jump than last year, when it went from $590 to $615.

The annual out-of-pocket cap rises to $2,400, up from $2,100. Once your spending on covered prescriptions hits that number, you pay nothing more for those drugs for the rest of the calendar year.

Worth understanding how these work together: what you pay toward the deductible counts toward the out-of-pocket maximum, so you're not paying the deductible on top of the cap — it's part of it.

One caution. These are the parameters for the standard benefit. Actual deductibles, premiums, and formularies vary by plan and carrier, so your specific plan may look different from the standard structure. That's exactly why the ANOC in your September mail matters.

The Part D base premium

CMS sets a standardized base premium each year, used to calculate late enrollment penalties and higher-income surcharges. For 2027 that figure is $41.33. It's not what you'll pay for your plan, but it's what those calculations run off.

Part B is still unknown

This is the number people ask about most, and it isn't available yet. Most final premium and deductible amounts aren't announced until late October or early November. Early projections suggest Part B costs will rise by less than 5%, but until CMS publishes the figure, anyone quoting you an exact number is guessing.

I'll post the real numbers here once they're released.

Star Ratings are changing

CMS is revising how Medicare Advantage plans earn their quality ratings. Eleven measures are being removed from the formula, most of them administrative — how quickly plans process appeals, call center performance, complaint volume, and drug pricing accuracy on Plan Finder.

Star Ratings show up prominently when you compare plans, and higher-rated plans receive bonus payments that often fund extra benefits. A shift in how those ratings are calculated can move which plans look strongest.

What this means for you

If you take prescription medications, run the numbers on your own drug list rather than assuming a higher cap is automatically worse or better. A $300 increase in the cap matters a great deal to someone on specialty medication and hardly at all to someone on two generics.

Your timeline

Plan details for 2027 become available October 1. Changes can be made October 15 through December 7, with new coverage starting January 1.

Watch your mail in late September for your Annual Notice of Change. It's usually a thick envelope that looks like junk mail, and it explains how your specific plan is changing.

Questions about what any of this means for your situation? Call or text (208) 963-0333.