Each fall, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) publishes standard amounts that apply to Medicare prescription drug coverage for the coming year. Those figures help you compare plans in Medicare Plan Finder—but they are not a quote for any one person or plan. Your county, drug list, and pharmacy choices still drive what you pay.
Official 2027 Part D numbers vs. 2026
For 2027, CMS set these program-wide standards (compared with 2026):
- Annual deductible: $700 in 2027 (2026: $615)
- Annual out-of-pocket threshold: $2,400 in 2027 (2026: $2,100)—the amount that counts toward reaching catastrophic coverage after you leave the initial coverage phase
- Base beneficiary premium: $41.33 in 2027—this is a calculation input CMS uses in the program; it is not the premium every plan charges
Individual Part D plans (standalone PDPs and drug coverage inside Medicare Advantage) set their own premiums, deductibles, copays, and formularies within CMS rules. A neighbor’s plan premium is not a reliable guide to yours.
Premium stabilization demonstration ends after 2026
A temporary premium stabilization demonstration that held down Part D premiums ends after 2026. CMS projects that, as a result, the average standalone Part D (PDP) premium will be about $36 in 2027, up less than $1 from $35.09 in 2026. CMS also projects that average drug premiums in Medicare Advantage plans will fall about 38% nationally for 2027.
Those are broad averages—not what you will pay. Some plans will be higher or lower than last year. Use Plan Finder to see each plan’s 2027 premium and estimated drug costs for your medications.
What counts toward the $2,400 cap
Only covered (formulary) drugs count toward the annual out-of-pocket threshold that leads into catastrophic coverage. If a medication is not on your plan’s formulary—or you pay full price because a drug is excluded—those costs generally do not count toward the $2,400 figure.
That is one reason to re-enter your drug list every fall: a plan that worked in 2026 may cover your therapies differently in 2027.
Compare your exact drugs and pharmacies on Medicare.gov Plan Finder before Dec. 7
Open Enrollment ends December 7. Before then:
- Sign in to Plan Finder (or enter drugs manually) with your ZIP code and current pharmacies.
- Open your 2027 plan options and compare premium, deductible, tier costs, and total estimated drug spending.
- Confirm each drug is covered and note any prior authorization or step-therapy rules for 2027.
For official help comparing plans, visit Medicare.gov, call 1-800-MEDICARE (1-800-633-4227), or contact your State Health Insurance Assistance Program (SHIP) for free, unbiased counseling.
Extra Help is still available; insulin and recommended vaccines stay protected
If you have limited income and resources, the Extra Help (Low Income Subsidy) program can lower premiums, deductibles, and copays on Part D. Application details are on Medicare.gov—you do not need to guess whether you qualify.
Medicare Part D rules continue to cap cost sharing on covered insulin and to provide recommended vaccines at no cost when you use in-network providers and meet program requirements. Check your plan’s 2027 Evidence of Coverage for specifics.
CDA Insurance helps clients in Idaho, Oregon, Texas, and Washington read Plan Finder results at no cost to you. Call (800) 884-2343 or use the contact page if you want a second set of eyes before December 7.
Want help comparing Part D totals?
We can walk through Plan Finder with your drug list and pharmacies before Open Enrollment closes.