Medicare open enrollment starts Thursday with higher Part D caps and ending subsidies for 2027
The enrollment window runs until Dec. 7, with changes taking effect on Jan. 1, 2027, as the Social Security cost‑of‑living adjustment rises 3.6%.
By Felo News Desk · Published
Open enrollment for 2027 Medicare plans began on Thursday and will run through Dec. 7, allowing seniors to choose between traditional Medicare, Medicare Advantage and prescription drug plans, according to two Independent reports.
What happened
The enrollment period lets beneficiaries select coverage that will start on Jan. 1, 2027. Changes announced for 2027 include an increase in the annual out‑of‑pocket cap for Part D drugs to $2,400 (up from $2,100 in 2026) and a rise in the standard deductible to $700 (from $615). The temporary federal Part D premium subsidy, introduced in 2024, will end at the close of the year. New drug‑price negotiations, authorized by a Biden‑era law, will also begin for 15 drugs.
What the reports add
Both Independent articles note that the enrollment period coincides with rising inflation pressures on seniors and the approach of the midterm elections. They also report that the Social Security Administration announced a 3.6% cost‑of‑living adjustment for older adults and people with disabilities, translating to an extra $75 per month for the roughly 72 million Social Security beneficiaries and about 7.3 million Supplemental Security Income recipients.
What was said
The Independent quoted the Social Security Administration’s announcement that the annual cost‑of‑living adjustment will rise by 3.6% beginning in 2027. It also referenced that the Trump administration will conclude the temporary Part D subsidy program at year’s end, a policy originally implemented by the Biden administration in 2024.
How it came about
Medicare’s new drug‑price negotiation authority stems from legislation passed during the Biden administration, aiming to lower prescription costs for seniors. The temporary Part D premium subsidy was introduced in 2024 to offset rising drug premiums, but the Independent reports indicate it will not be extended beyond 2027. The timing of the enrollment window aligns with the annual schedule established for Medicare, and the recent Social Security cost‑of‑living adjustment reflects broader inflation concerns highlighted in prior Felo coverage of senior‑care affordability.
Key facts
- Open enrollment for 2027 Medicare plans runs from Thursday to Dec. 7. (independent.co.uk)
- The Part D out‑of‑pocket cap will increase to $2,400 in 2027. (independent.co.uk)
- The temporary federal Part D premium subsidy will end at the end of 2027. (independent.co.uk)
- Social Security benefits will rise 3.6% starting in 2027, adding $75 per month for most recipients. (independent.co.uk)
