Medicare Part D stand-alone premiums projected to surge 50% in 2027, analysis finds

If you rely on a stand-alone Medicare prescription drug plan, your monthly bill could look substantially higher next year if you leave your coverage on autopilot.

According to a new analysis by health policy research group [KFF], the average monthly premium for stand-alone Medicare Part D plans is projected to rise by 50% in 2027—climbing from $34 to $51 per month—unless beneficiaries actively shop around and switch to lower-cost options during the current open enrollment period.

The findings arrive at a critical juncture for older adults and people with disabilities. Medicare open enrollment runs annually from October 15 through December 7, offering beneficiaries their primary window to review changes, adjust formularies, and select plans for the upcoming coverage year.

A steep price hike for staying put

The projected increase reflects weighted averages based on current enrollment patterns, meaning that individuals who simply allow their existing stand-alone drug plan to roll over into 2027 could bear the brunt of the increase [KFF].

Stand-alone Part D plans (PDPs) are used primarily by people enrolled in Original Medicare (Part A and Part B) alongside a supplemental Medigap policy. These enrollees often prefer the broad nationwide provider networks of traditional Medicare over Medicare Advantage managed care networks, but they must purchase drug coverage separately.

While premiums for drug coverage bundled into Medicare Advantage plans have remained relatively low, premiums for stand-alone drug plans continue to diverge sharply [KFF]. The widening gap means that beneficiaries who value the flexibility of traditional Medicare must pay closer attention to their annual notices of change than in years past.

Compounding disruptions from plan exits

The premium increase is not the only challenge facing drug coverage in 2027. Millions of seniors are also navigating outright plan terminations.

More than 4 million Medicare beneficiaries will see their Medicare Advantage or stand-alone prescription drug plans discontinued at the end of 2026, according to companion reporting from [KFF]. For these enrollees, staying put is not an option: if they do not choose a new plan before the December deadline, they could face unexpected coverage transitions or lose drug protections altogether.

Advocacy groups warn that making sense of these shifts is increasingly complicated for ordinary households. The [Medicare Rights Center] notes that comparing benefit options remains notoriously difficult, as marketing materials often obscure true out-of-pocket costs and plan comparison tools do not always make vital nuances clear.

What to check during open enrollment

Facing a potential 50% premium increase, beneficiaries should treat open enrollment as an active financial health check. A few deliberate steps can protect your pocketbook:

• Review your Annual Notice of Change (ANOC): Your current plan mailed this document in September. Check whether your monthly premium, annual deductible, or drug tiers are scheduled to rise.
• Verify your exact prescription list: Even if a plan offers a lower monthly premium, it may charge higher copayments or coinsurance for the specific medications you take. Enter your exact prescriptions and dosages into the official Medicare Plan Finder tool.
• Check pharmacy networks: Most Part D plans use preferred and standard pharmacies. Filling prescriptions at a non-preferred pharmacy can quietly erase any savings gained from a lower premium.
• Seek unbiased guidance: If comparing plans feels overwhelming, reach out to your local State Health Insurance Assistance Program (SHIP). SHIP counselors provide free, personalized, and objective help navigating Part D options without commercial incentives.

Decisions made between now and December 7 will lock in your coverage for the entirety of 2027. Taking an afternoon to audit your plan today could easily save hundreds of dollars in the year ahead.