CMS has not yet published 2027 Medicare Advantage and Part D plan details

The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services has not yet published the 2027 Medicare Advantage and Part D plan landscape, less than a month before Medicare's annual enrollment period opens on October 15, 2026 ^[1]. CMS has finalized the 2027 rules and payment policies for those programs, but says the finalized plan landscape, average premiums and county-by-county plan details will be released in mid-to-late September 2026 ^[1].

As of September 8, 2026, the CMS prescription drug coverage page listed a 2026 landscape file as its most recent year of plan data ^[2]. That page states that information about Medicare Advantage and Part D plan offerings, including plan premiums, is posted for each year and updated regularly ^[2]. The 2027 version is not among the posted files.

Two 2027 Part D figures are already settled. The annual out-of-pocket threshold for covered Part D drugs is $2,400, and the standard-benefit deductible ceiling is $700 ^[1]. Under Part D rules, after a beneficiary reaches the $2,400 threshold, there is no cost sharing in the catastrophic phase for covered drugs ^[1]. A plan may apply a lower deductible or none at all, and a deductible may not apply to every tier ^[1].

The $2,400 threshold is not the same as a Medicare Advantage plan's medical maximum out-of-pocket limit, which applies to covered Part A and Part B services and varies by plan; drug costs are tracked separately ^[1]. The standard 2027 Part B premium had not been announced as of August 28, 2026, according to the plan-comparison material ^[1].

Enrollment dates

Annual Open Enrollment runs from October 15 through December 7, 2026, for 2027 coverage. During that window, people can join, switch or drop Medicare Advantage or Part D coverage under Medicare rules, and eligible changes submitted by December 7 generally take effect January 1, 2027 ^[1]. A separate Medicare Advantage Open Enrollment period runs January 1 through March 31 for people already enrolled in Medicare Advantage, and allows one change to another Medicare Advantage plan or a return to Original Medicare ^[1]. Special enrollment periods depend on qualifying events such as moving or a change in Medicaid or Extra Help status ^[1].

Carrier materials describe broad product categories for 2027: Wellcare lists HMO, PPO and Special Needs Plan options; Aetna lists HMO, HMO Point-of-Service, PPO and Special Needs Plan designs; and Humana lists HMO, PPO, Private Fee-for-Service and Special Needs Plan options ^[1]. Those are general categories until final 2027 county-level offerings are published, and a plan sold in one county or ZIP code may not be sold in another ^[1].

Why it matters for patients

For any prescription drug — including GLP-1 medications — the amount a patient pays in 2027 depends on the exact plan's formulary, including the drug's tier, prior authorization rules, quantity limits and pharmacy network, plus the plan's premium, deductible and medical cost sharing ^[1]. The county-level details needed to make those comparisons have not been published, so 2027 costs for a specific medication in a specific plan are not yet known ^[1].

Each plan has its own drug list, and the guidance in the plan-comparison material is to check each medication's exact name, strength, form and monthly quantity rather than asking only whether a drug is "covered" ^[1]. Costs can also differ between a standard and a preferred pharmacy, or between retail and mail-order service ^[1]. If a drug has restrictions or is not covered, plans provide exception, coverage-determination and appeal processes ^[1].

The guidance also states that existing coverage should not be canceled until a new enrollment and its effective date are confirmed ^[1]. People who receive Extra Help, Medicaid or assistance from a Medicare Savings Program may have different costs and plan eligibility, which can change a comparison ^[1].

What happens next

The finalized 2027 Medicare Advantage and Part D landscape, average premiums and county-level plan details are expected in mid-to-late September 2026 ^[1]. Annual Open Enrollment then runs October 15 through December 7, 2026, with most selections taking effect January 1, 2027 ^[1]. The $2,400 Part D out-of-pocket threshold and $700 standard deductible ceiling apply to the 2027 plan year ^[1]. The 2027 Part B premium has not been announced ^[1].