08/24/2026
Part D changes coming for 2027!
In early August, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services announced an end to Part D premium stabilization, a temporary federal program from the 2024 Inflation Reduction Act. The program provided extra funding to private stand-alone Medicare prescription drug plans to keep monthly premiums lower and limit sharp price increases. The Part D discount program affects only stand-alone Part D plans, and not Medicare Advantage plans. So this will impact changes to Part D premiums after Dec. 31, when the discount program for those who have a stand-alone Part D plan will end.
The changes to 2027 stand-alone Medicare Part D plans will likely involve monthly premiums rising, and the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services is estimating that the average stand-alone Part D premium increase to be around $10. The 2027 stand-alone Medicare Part D and Medicare Advantage plans and premiums will be released Oct. 1. The 2027 Medicare & You handbook should be in the mail in late September, or it will be available for download online around Oct. 1.