What Medicare Could Cost in 2027 — And What to Watch During Open Enrollment

(Source: Kiplinger, Newsweek, MedicareFAQ, 24/7 Wall St., SmartMatch)

Medicare beneficiaries are getting an early look at what next year’s costs might be, and for once, the trend line is a bit gentler than in recent years.

The 2026 Medicare Trustees Report projects the standard Part B premium will rise to about $209.50 a month in 2027, up $6.60 from this year’s $202.90. That works out to roughly a 3.25% increase — the smallest percentage bump since 2023, and a sharp slowdown from the nearly 10% jump beneficiaries absorbed between 2025 and 2026. The Part B annual deductible is projected to rise as well, from $283 to around $292.

Not everyone agrees the number will land that low. Some private forecasters expect the final premium could run higher, in the $216–$221 range, pointing to a pattern of the Trustees Report underestimating costs in past years. Either way, the official figure won’t be confirmed until CMS makes its announcement this fall, typically alongside the Social Security COLA in October.

On the prescription drug side, some numbers are already locked in for 2027: the Part D annual out-of-pocket cap rises to $2,400, and the standard Part D deductible increases to $700.

For beneficiaries in Medicare Advantage plans, this year’s Annual Notice of Change (ANOC) — due in beneficiaries’ mailboxes by September 30 — is worth reading closely. Insurers facing rising costs may pull back in some markets, trim provider networks, or scale back extras like dental coverage, gym reimbursements, or over-the-counter allowances built into $0-premium plans.

Key dates to remember:

• October 1: 2027 Medicare Advantage and Part D plan details become available for comparison
• October 15 – December 7: Annual Open Enrollment Period — switch plans, change coverage, or return to Original Medicare
• January 1, 2027: New coverage and costs take effect

Because premium increases are typically deducted straight from Social Security checks, even a modest Part B increase can eat into next year’s cost-of-living raise before it ever reaches a beneficiary’s bank account. Reviewing coverage now — rather than letting a plan auto-renew — remains the best way to avoid surprises when the new year begins.

Sources: Kiplinger | Newsweek | MedicareFAQ | SmartMatch