Article · Health insurance
Medicare Changes for 2027: Premiums, Part D and Dates
Medicare Open Enrollment runs October 15 to December 7, 2026. See what CMS reports for 2027 Advantage premiums and Part D costs.
Key takeaways
- Medicare Open Enrollment runs October 15 to December 7, 2026, and changes take effect January 1, 2027.
- CMS reports the average Medicare Advantage premium falling from $14.37 to $12.00, and the average stand-alone Part D premium rising from $35.09 to $36.
- The Part D maximum standard deductible rises from $615 to $700, and the annual out-of-pocket cap from $2,100 to $2,400.
- These are averages, and your plan can differ, so review your plan's Annual Notice of Change and compare.
What is confirmed
- Medicare Open Enrollment runs October 15 to December 7, 2026. Changes take effect January 1, 2027.
- Your plan must get your request by December 7. If you are happy with your coverage, you do not need to do anything, because Medicare says it continues automatically.
- CMS says 2027 Star Ratings will be on Medicare.gov on or around October 8, 2026.
What CMS reports for 2027
| Measure | 2026 | 2027 |
|---|---|---|
| Average monthly Medicare Advantage premium | $14.37 | $12.00 |
| Average monthly stand-alone Part D premium | $35.09 | $36.00 |
| Part D maximum standard deductible | $615 | $700 |
| Part D annual out-of-pocket cap | $2,100 | $2,400 |
What is ending
On July 28, 2026, CMS announced that the temporary Part D Premium Stabilization Demonstration, which had lowered stand-alone Part D premiums, will end after 2026. CMS says plans can now price under ordinary market conditions.
Plan choices
A KFF analysis, as summarized by the Medicare Rights Center, finds the average person with Medicare can choose from 35 Medicare Advantage plans for 2027, compared with 39 for 2026.
Averages are not your plan
These figures are national averages. Premiums, deductibles, copays, networks and drug lists differ by plan and by county, so your own change may be larger or smaller.
The 2027 Part B premium and deductible had not been announced by CMS when we last updated this page. Check Medicare.gov for them.
What it may mean (our analysis)
A falling average Medicare Advantage premium does not mean lower costs for everyone. The premium is only part of what you pay, so compare the deductible, copays and out-of-pocket maximum as well.
What to do
- Read the Annual Notice of Change from your plan. It shows your 2027 premium and benefit changes.
- Compare plans in Medicare's Plan Finder, including your drugs, pharmacies and doctors.
- Decide by December 7 if you want to change plans.
- If you keep your plan, you do not need to do anything.
Common mistakes
- Staying with a plan without reading its notice of change.
- Comparing only monthly premiums.
- Assuming a national average applies to your county.
General information only. It is not insurance, legal or financial advice. Rules and dates change and differ by state and plan, so confirm details with the official source, your insurer or your state agency.
Questions
When is Medicare Open Enrollment for 2027?
October 15 to December 7, 2026, with changes taking effect January 1, 2027.
Do I have to do anything?
Only if you want to change your coverage. Medicare says that if you keep your current health and drug coverage, it continues automatically.
What is the Part D out-of-pocket cap for 2027?
$2,400, up from $2,100 in 2026. After your covered drug costs reach it, you pay nothing more for covered Part D drugs for the rest of the year.
Sources
- CMS: 2027 Medicare Advantage and Part D landscape, state-by-state fact sheetscms.gov
- Medicare.gov: Open Enrollmentmedicare.gov
- Medicare Rights Center: New insights on 2027 Medicare Advantage and Part D offeringsmedicarerights.org
- AJMC: CMS projects 16.5% drop in 2027 Medicare Advantage premiumsajmc.com
- CMS: Medicare Advantage rate announcements and documents (CY 2027 announcement, April 6, 2026)cms.gov
Update log
- : Published with the 2027 plan landscape that CMS released on September 28, 2026.
Informational only. Rules and policy terms change and differ by state and insurer. Confirm details with your policy, your insurer or your state insurance department.
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