Medicare open enrollment runs through Dec. 7, giving beneficiaries a chance to switch Medicare Advantage or prescription drug plans for 2027. Officials say even people satisfied with their current coverage should review their options because costs, drug formularies and extra benefits can change from year to year.
In 2027, the maximum annual Part D deductible will rise from $615 to $700, and the annual out-of-pocket limit for covered medications will increase from $2,100 to $2,400. Average premiums for stand-alone Part D plans are projected to rise by less than $1 a month, but individual plans can differ considerably, and a temporary federal program that helped stabilize premiums is ending.
Medicare Advantage members should check whether their plan is being discontinued, if provider networks are shifting, or if extra benefits such as dental, vision and hearing coverage are being trimmed. Insurers may also move medications to more expensive cost tiers or drop them from formularies entirely.
A new Medicare GLP-1 Bridge program will offer certain weight-management medications — including Wegovy, Zepbound (KwikPen only) and Foundayo — for $50 a month through Dec. 31, 2027. Eligibility is limited to those with Medicare drug coverage who meet specific body mass index and health requirements, and the $50 payment does not count toward the Part D deductible or out-of-pocket limit.
Experts recommend four steps: read the annual notice of change from your insurer, use Medicare.gov/plan-compare to estimate total annual costs including deductibles and copays, contact doctors and hospitals directly to confirm they accept a specific plan, and seek free help from your State Health Insurance Assistance Program.
Sources: Las Vegas Review-Journal
Original reporting: Las Vegas Review-Journal →
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