CMS has set two technical numbers used to build 2027 Medicare Part D coverage: a $296.05 national average monthly bid amount and a $41.33 national base beneficiary premium. Neither number is the premium every enrollee will pay.
The Bottom Line
The $41.33 figure is a statutory starting point, not a nationwide sticker price. Your 2027 premium will depend on the plan, region, benefit design, income-related surcharge and any assistance. The useful action is to wait for finalized plan details in September, then compare total annual cost during Open Enrollment.
What CMS announced
CMS released preliminary technical bid information on July 28 so plan sponsors can finalize 2027 offerings. The national average monthly bid amount—an enrollment-weighted average used to calculate the government subsidy—will be $296.05. The national base beneficiary premium will be $41.33.
The base premium’s annual increase is limited to 6% between 2024 and 2029 under the premium-stabilization provision. CMS also said the voluntary Part D Premium Stabilization Demonstration for standalone prescription drug plans will end after 2026, returning 2027 to the traditional framework.
| Number | What it means | What it does not mean |
|---|---|---|
| $296.05 | National average monthly bid amount | Your monthly premium |
| $41.33 | Base beneficiary premium | A guaranteed plan price |
Why your bill can differ
Part D premiums are plan-specific. Two plans in the same region can start from the same national formula and still charge different amounts. Enrollees with higher modified adjusted gross income may pay an additional income-related adjustment. People receiving Extra Help can have different premium and cost-sharing results.
The premium is only one part of the decision. A low-premium plan can cost more overall if it places your prescriptions on expensive tiers, requires prior authorization, excludes your pharmacy from preferred pricing or has a deductible that applies to your drugs.
The five-number comparison
- Monthly plan premium, plus any income-related adjustment.
- Deductible and which tiers it applies to.
- Copay or coinsurance for each regular prescription.
- Preferred-pharmacy and mail-order pricing.
- Estimated annual total in Medicare Plan Finder—not premium alone.
What to watch
Watch for the finalized 2027 MA and Part D landscape in September, then your Annual Notice of Change. Check whether your drugs remain covered, whether tiers or utilization rules change, and whether your pharmacy retains preferred status. Medicare Open Enrollment runs from October 15 through December 7.
Sources and methodology
American Media Press reviewed the CMS 2027 Part D bid fact sheet and Medicare’s official Part D cost guidance. Plan-specific costs are not yet final.
