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Medicare's open enrollment deadline is Dec. 7, and the stakes couldn't be higher. A new KFF analysis finds that seniors who stay in their current standalone Part D drug plans could see monthly premiums jump 50% — from $34 to $51 — in 2027. With plan costs ranging from $6.50 to $204.50 a month, shopping around could make a serious difference.
Millions of Medicare beneficiaries are facing a costly wake-up call. A new KFF analysis warns that seniors who stay in their current standalone Part D prescription drug plans could see average monthly premiums jump 50% in 2027 — from $34 to $51. A key driver: the Trump administration's decision to end the Part D Premium Stabilization Demonstration after 2026, which had capped annual premium increases at $50 and provided additional subsidies to plan sponsors.
The good news: premiums vary widely across plans, and switching could save seniors hundreds of dollars a year. The cheapest national plan — Centene's Wellcare Value Script Rx — runs just $6.50/month, while the priciest, United's AARP Medicare Rx Preferred, clocks in at $204.50/month. Medicare Advantage plans with drug coverage average just $9/month, though they come with tradeoffs like narrower networks and prior authorization requirements.
By the Numbers:
Why it matters: Open enrollment runs through Dec. 7 — and for many seniors, doing nothing could mean paying significantly more in 2027. Experts are urging beneficiaries to actively compare plans rather than letting coverage auto-renew.
