How do the 2026 and 2027 figures compare?
| Item | 2026 | 2027 |
|---|---|---|
| Yearly out-of-pocket cap | $2,100 | $2,400 |
| Maximum deductible | $615 | $700 |
| National base beneficiary premium | $38.99 | $41.33 |
What counts toward the cap?
Your spending on covered drugs counts, including your deductible, copays and coinsurance. Your monthly premium does not count, and neither do drugs your plan does not cover. A plan's formulary, which is its list of covered drugs, can change each year, so check your drugs when you compare plans.
What is the Part D deductible?
Plans can charge a deductible up to a set limit before they start to pay. The limit is $615 in 2026 and $700 in 2027. Many plans charge less or have no deductible on some drugs.
Can I spread my drug costs over the year?
Yes. The Medicare Prescription Payment Plan lets you pay your out-of-pocket drug costs in capped monthly payments instead of all at once at the pharmacy. Every Medicare drug plan must offer it, and you choose whether to use it. It does not lower what you owe in total.
What is the Part D late enrollment penalty?
| Full months without coverage | Penalty | Extra per month (2026) |
|---|---|---|
| 6 months | 6% | $2.30 |
| 12 months | 12% | $4.70 |
| 14 months | 14% | $5.50 |
| 24 months | 24% | $9.40 |
If you go 63 days or more in a row without Part D or other creditable drug coverage after you are first eligible, you pay a penalty. It is 1% of the national base beneficiary premium for each full month you went without. That base premium is $38.99 in 2026 and $41.33 in 2027, and the penalty is rounded to the nearest 10 cents. Medicare's example: 14 months without coverage is a 14% penalty, or $5.50 a month in 2026. You generally pay it for as long as you have Part D.
See our Medicare plans
Turning 65 or reviewing your plan? We'll walk through Advantage, Supplement, and Part D side by side.We do not offer every plan available in your area. Any information we provide is limited to those plans we do offer in your area. Please contact Medicare.gov or 1-800-MEDICARE to get information on all of your options.
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