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A Seniors Guide report outlines projected 2027 Medicare costs and potential changes to Medicare Advantage and Part D plans. Several figures and insurer decisions are estimates or expectations, and beneficiaries should check official plan notices before choosing coverage.
Projected Medicare costs and anticipated insurer cutbacks could reshape beneficiaries’ coverage choices for 2027, according to a Seniors Guide report. The report estimates the standard Part B premium will rise to $209.50 a month and says some Medicare Advantage insurers may reduce benefits, withdraw from markets or end plans; these figures and changes are not all final.
The report projects that the standard monthly Part B premium, which covers medical, preventive and outpatient services, will increase about 3%, from $202.90 in 2026 to $209.50 in 2027. It also estimates the benchmark base Part D premium will rise about 6%, while Medicare Advantage premiums paid on top of Part B are expected to remain flat. These are projections, not final rates.
Other expected 2027 cost limits include a $700 maximum Part D deductible, up from $615 in 2026, and a $2,400 cap on annual Part D out-of-pocket costs, up from $2,100. Medicare Advantage out-of-pocket maximums are expected to reach $9,850 for in-network services and $14,800 for combined in- and out-of-network costs, according to the report.
Insurer decisions could also affect what coverage is available. The report says 70% of Medicare Advantage executives in a HealthScape Advisors survey expected their companies to trim benefits for 2027. It cites UnitedHealthcare as considering cancelling more than 3,500 plans nationwide and Humana as expecting to lose about 600,000 members while leaving some markets. Those plans and estimates may change. The report also anticipates fewer Part D plan choices as insurers seek to control costs.
How 2027 Choices Could Change
For beneficiaries, the central issue is not simply whether a monthly premium rises or falls. Plan networks, drug coverage and out-of-pocket costs can change the practical value of coverage, especially for people who rely on particular doctors, hospitals or prescriptions. A plan that appears less expensive at enrollment may not cover a person’s medicines or preferred providers on the same terms the following year.
The report says rising Medigap premiums and the expected end of federal subsidies that had capped monthly Part D premium increases at $50 in 2026 could make Medicare Advantage look less expensive on a monthly basis. David Lipschutz, co-director of the Center for Medicare Advocacy, said those factors could steer more people toward Advantage plans. At the same time, anticipated benefit cuts and narrower networks may make some Advantage plans less attractive. The best fit depends on individual needs and the final plan terms.
People considering a move from Medicare Advantage to original Medicare should also check Medigap options before switching. The report cautions that insurers may deny Medigap coverage or charge higher premiums in some circumstances. That makes checking eligibility and local prices part of the decision, rather than assuming a supplemental policy will be available on affordable terms.
Medicare Part B premium calculator
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Enrollment and Plan Notices
Medicare’s annual open enrollment period runs Oct. 15 through Dec. 7. The Seniors Guide report advises people with Part D or Medicare Advantage coverage to review the Annual Notice of Change, which plans mail in September. It describes next year’s coverage and costs and indicates whether a current plan will remain available.
Part D plans can change which medicines they cover and how much enrollees pay each year. The report says plans will be required to cover 15 additional medications in 2027 under Medicare’s drug negotiation program, including medicines for asthma, COPD, diabetes and cancer. It also describes a temporary program, scheduled to run through the end of 2026, under which qualifying people may obtain some GLP-1 drugs for weight loss through Medicare for $50 a month if their drug plans do not cover them.
Medicare Advantage plans may offer vision, dental and hearing benefits not covered by original Medicare, but the report expects potential reductions in extras such as over-the-counter products, delivered meals and rides to medical appointments. Kimberly Lankford, author of “Medicare 101,” advised comparing total expenses, including premiums, deductibles, copayments and prescription costs, rather than judging plans by premiums alone.
“That is going to steer more people toward Medicare Advantage.”
— David Lipschutz, co-director of the Center for Medicare Advocacy
Medicare Advantage plan comparison 2027
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Final Rates and Plan Lists Pending
The report’s 2027 premium and out-of-pocket figures are projections, and the cited insurer actions include plans under consideration and estimates of future membership losses. It does not establish that every proposed cancellation, market exit or benefit reduction will occur. Final rates, plan availability, provider networks, covered drugs and benefit details need to be checked against official information as it becomes available.
The report also cites a survey finding that 70% of Medicare Advantage executives expect benefit reductions, but that response does not establish the exact changes any individual plan will make. The extent of Part D plan reductions by location, and which specific providers or prescriptions will be affected, remains unclear from the information provided.
Medigap supplemental insurance plans
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Review Notices Before December 7
Beneficiaries can use their September Annual Notice of Change to identify proposed changes, then compare available coverage during the Oct. 15–Dec. 7 enrollment period. Medicare’s Plan Finder can help compare Part D, Medicare Advantage and Medigap options, including drug costs and plan features. People should confirm that their doctors, hospitals and medicines are included under the plan terms for 2027.
Free guidance is available through State Health Insurance Assistance Programs, which can answer questions but do not recommend specific plans, according to the report. Independent agents and brokers can also help with Part D or Medicare Advantage choices. The report advises consumers to be cautious about high-pressure marketing and to verify plan details before enrolling. The next key step is publication and review of final 2027 rates and plan information; the source material does not provide a date for those final details.
Medicare prescription drug plan 2027
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Key Questions
How much is the projected Medicare Part B premium for 2027?
The Seniors Guide report projects a standard monthly premium of $209.50, up from $202.90 in 2026. It is an estimate, not a final rate.
When is Medicare open enrollment?
The annual enrollment period runs from Oct. 15 through Dec. 7. Beneficiaries can compare coverage and make eligible plan changes during that period.
Are Medicare Advantage plans definitely cutting benefits in 2027?
No. The report says 70% of surveyed Medicare Advantage executives expect to trim benefits, but individual plan changes are not confirmed by that survey. Review each plan’s 2027 notice and details.
What Part D cost limits are projected for 2027?
The report projects a maximum annual deductible of $700 and an annual out-of-pocket cap of $2,400. These figures are projections in the source report.
Where can beneficiaries get help comparing plans?
Medicare’s Plan Finder can compare plan options and costs. State Health Insurance Assistance Programs also offer free guidance, though they do not recommend specific plans.
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