Medicare’s 2027 Drug Plan Numbers Are Out: Here’s What Retirees Need to Check Before Open Enrollment

Medicare’s projected 2027 drug plan premiums tell only part of the story. Retirees should compare deductibles, prescription coverage, pharmacy costs, and annual out-of-pocket expenses before open enrollment ends on December 7 – Shutterstock

A prescription that costs very little today could become a much bigger expense next year, even if the medication itself never changes. Medicare’s 2027 prescription drug plan figures give retirees a reason to examine their coverage before choosing another year of premiums, deductibles, and pharmacy bills.

The headline numbers matter, but they rarely tell the whole story. A plan with an attractive monthly premium might charge more for a particular medication, while another plan could offer better coverage for the prescriptions someone actually takes. Pharmacy arrangements, drug tiers, and annual out-of-pocket expenses can all affect the final bill.