Drug prices & Part D
Zero-Premium Part D Drug Plans Disappear in 2027, Leaving 4 Million Enrollees Without the Free Option They Had This Year
A KFF analysis published the day plan shopping opened finds no standalone Medicare drug plan will be offered at zero monthly cost to non-subsidized enrollees in 2027, and some face increases of 50 dollars or more per month if they do not switch.
By the Goodsurance editorial teamOctober 2, 2026
A KFF analysis published October 2, 2026, finds that for the first time, no standalone Medicare prescription drug plan will be offered at zero monthly premium to enrollees who do not receive the low-income subsidy. In 2026, about 4 million non-subsidized enrollees, roughly 28 percent of all standalone drug plan members without extra help, paid nothing per month for their coverage. Every one of those enrollees will pay something in 2027.
For most plan holders, the change will be modest. The federal benchmark average monthly premium across standalone plans is projected to rise less than 1 dollar, from 35.09 dollars to 36 dollars. Many enrollees can keep their increase small by actively comparing options and switching to a lower-cost alternative during open enrollment.
Zero-premium Part D plans are gone for 2027. Four million Medicare enrollees need to shop before December 7.
The stakes are higher for those who do not shop. KFF found that for at least one major branded plan, enrollees who keep their current coverage could face monthly increases of 50 dollars or more in all 50 states and Washington D.C. The count of standalone plan options available to the average beneficiary continues to fall, reaching 9 in 2027, down from 11 in 2026, part of a four-year decline.
The annual Medicare open enrollment period begins October 15 and closes December 7, 2026. All plan changes take effect January 1, 2027.
In plain words
In 2027, there will be no Medicare drug plans that cost zero per month for people who do not get extra help paying for Medicare. About 4 million people paid nothing for their drug plan in 2026. All of them will have to pay something next year. If you shop for a cheaper plan, the change may be less than 1 dollar a month. But if you stay in certain plans without comparing, you could pay 50 dollars more each month. There are also fewer plans to pick from. Open enrollment runs October 15 to December 7.
Understand the basics first
Source: KFF
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