What is changing for Medicare in 2027?

The 2027 changes, one by one

These figures come from the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) announcements for 2027. Your own plan may differ from the national averages, which is why the letter your plan mailed in September matters more than any headline.

1. 1

   Part D deductible: up to $700

   The maximum Part D deductible rises from $615 in 2026 to $700 in 2027. Plans can set it lower, but none can go above $700. If your plan charges the full deductible, that is what you pay for covered drugs before coverage kicks in.

2. 2

   Part D out-of-pocket cap: $2,400

   The yearly cap on what you pay out of pocket for covered Part D drugs rises from $2,100 to $2,400. Once your spending hits the cap, you pay nothing for covered drugs for the rest of the year. The cap is the single most important number if you take expensive medications.

3. 3

   Medicare Advantage average premium: about $12

   CMS projects the average Medicare Advantage premium falls to roughly $12 a month for 2027. Averages hide a lot, though. Your plan's actual premium, copays, and drug costs are what matter, and those change plan by plan.

4. 4

   Star ratings formula changes

   CMS is adjusting how it calculates plan star ratings. Ratings affect plan bonuses and can signal quality, but a plan's rating is no substitute for checking your own doctors and drugs against it.

5. 5

   Marketing rules loosen October 1, 2026

   Some Medicare marketing restrictions ease starting October 1, 2026, which means you may see more plan advertising this fall. Treat every ad as a starting point, not advice. An ad cannot tell you whether a plan fits your doctors and prescriptions.

Want the figures without the explanation? Here are the 2027 Medicare numbers at a glance. Wondering what the drug changes mean for your prescriptions? Here is how Part D works in 2027.

Sources: CMS 2027 Medicare Advantage and Part D announcements; CMS newsroom fact sheets. Figures are national; your plan's details are in its Annual Notice of Change.

Questions people ask me about 2027

What is changing for Medicare in 2027?

The big ones: the Part D deductible can go as high as $700 (up from $615), the yearly out-of-pocket cap on covered drugs rises to $2,400 (up from $2,100), the average Medicare Advantage premium is projected around $12 a month, star rating calculations are changing, and some marketing rules loosen starting October 1, 2026. Your own plan's changes are spelled out in the Annual Notice of Change letter it mailed in September.

When is open enrollment for 2027 coverage?

October 15 through December 7, 2026. Changes you make during that window take effect January 1, 2027. December 7 is a hard deadline, it does not move.

Will my plan change in 2027?

Probably, in some way. Plans adjust premiums, deductibles, copays, drug lists, and doctor networks every year. Your plan mailed an Annual Notice of Change in September explaining exactly what is different. If you did not read it, bring it to a review and we will go through it together.

What should I do before December 7?

Three things: make a list of every prescription you take and the pharmacy you use, confirm your doctors and preferred hospital are still in your plan's network for 2027, and compare your total yearly costs, not just the monthly premium. A free review covers all three.

Where can I get help with this in Greensboro?

I offer free Medicare reviews in Greensboro, High Point, Winston-Salem, and nearby communities, in person or by phone. Call or text (919) 408-6671. No obligation to enroll in anything.