Medicare and Medicaid
KFF expects Medicare Part D premiums to rise 50% on average next year
KFF forecasts Part D premiums will rise $17 a month on average next year and urges beneficiaries to compare plans during open enrollment.
KFF estimates enrollment-weighted premiums for standalone Medicare Part D plans will rise by $17 a month on average next year. The report says premiums are expected to spike 50% on average. KFF urged beneficiaries to compare coverage during open enrollment. Roughly 25 million seniors get drug coverage through standalone Part D plans. Three-fourths of enrollees who do not qualify for financial help, or 10.4 million seniors, will pay higher premiums next year if they keep their current plan. More than 4 million people currently in plans with zero monthly premiums will have no zero-premium option in 2027, KFF found.
The forecast differs from the CMS estimate that average monthly Part D premiums will rise less than $1. KFF found the standard Part D deductible will increase from $615 to $700, and most enrollees will face coinsurance rather than copays. More than 4 million Medicare beneficiaries will need new coverage in 2027 after plan terminations, including more than 1 million losing standalone Part D coverage. KFF recommends reviewing plan options rather than letting coverage renew automatically.
