A new Medicare season begins, but some shifts will arrive in 2027

WASHINGTON (AP) — Open enrollment for Medicare plans begins Thursday and enrollees will face a slew of changes that go into effect in 2027. During the enrollment period, which ends Dec. 7, people will have the opportunity to choose between traditional Medicare and privately run Medicare Advantage plans in their area, as well as prescription drug plans.

Those changes go into effect on Jan. Open enrollment also comes as inflation adds pressure on seniors whose healthcare costs have risen and as midterm elections are weeks away. Voters have consistently said cost-of-living is a major concern headed into the elections.

The Medicare enrollment period also comes as the Social Security Administration announced Wednesday that the annual cost-of-living adjustment for older adults and people with disabilities will go up by 3.6% beginning in 2027, which translates to $75 extra per month for the nearly 72 million people who receive monthly Social Security benefits and about 7.3 million beneficiaries who get Supplemental Security Income. New changes to Medicare coming in 2027 include higher Part D out-of-pocket caps, the end of temporary federal Part D premium subsidies, and new drug price negotiations. Here are a few of the biggest changes: Medicare Part D The cap on annual out-of-pocket expenses for Medicare Part D drugs will increase to $2,400, up from $2,100 in 2026, and the standard deductible will increase from $615 to $700.

The temporary Part D premium subsidy will also end early. The Trump administration concludes at year’s end a temporary Medicare Part D subsidy program that has helped offset premiums. It was initially implemented by former President Joe Biden’s administration in 2024 to lower patients’ Medicare Part D prescription drug costs in response to effects of the 2022 Inflation Reduction Act.

The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services has projected only modest price increases for most people. CMS did not respond to an Associated Press request for comment. Drug price negotiations New Medicare-negotiated prices, part of a Biden-era law that allows the haggling for Medicare, will go into effect for 15 drugs, including weight-loss and diabetes medications Ozempic, Rybelsus and Wegovy.

Additionally, Trelegy Ellipta, Xtandi, Pomalyst, Ibrance, Ofev, Linzess, Calquence, Austedo/Austedo XR, Breo Ellipta, Tradjenta, Xifaxan, Vraylar, Janumet/Janumet XR, an… 1.Open enrollment also comes as inflation adds pressure on seniors whose healthcare costs have risen and as midterm elections are weeks away. CMS did not respond to an Associated Press request for comment.Drug price negotiationsNew Medicare-negotiated prices, part of a Biden-era law that allows the haggling for Medicare, will go into effect for 15 drugs, including weight-loss and diabetes medications Ozempic, Rybelsus and Wegovy.Additionally, Trelegy Ellipta, Xtandi, Pomalyst, Ibrance, Ofev, Linzess, Calquence, Austedo/Austedo XR, Breo Ellipta, Tradjenta, Xifaxan, Vraylar, Janumet/Janumet XR, and Otezla will …