Explore Medicare plan changes for 2027 with this informational guide covering Medicare Advantage, Part D prescription coverage, Star Ratings, enrollment guidance, supplemental benefits, and drug coverage updates. Learn what beneficiaries should review when preparing for 2027 and how plan rules may affect coverage, medications, providers, and benefits.
Medicare plan changes for 2027 include updates to Medicare Advantage and Part D that will affect how plans operate and how beneficiaries can review their coverage. CMS finalized the Contract Year 2027 Medicare Advantage and Part D rule in April 2026, with changes covering quality ratings, prescription drug benefits, supplemental benefits, enrollment processes, and administrative requirements.
One notable change involves the Medicare Advantage and Part D Star Ratings system. CMS is streamlining the measures used to evaluate plans and is removing 11 measures focused on administrative processes or areas where plan performance has shown little meaningful variation. A new Part C depression screening and follow-up measure is being added for the 2027 measurement year.
Beneficiaries reviewing plan quality can consider:
The revised system is intended to place greater emphasis on clinical outcomes and patient experience.
Several Part D changes are being codified for 2027 following the prescription drug reforms established under the Inflation Reduction Act. CMS says the changes include eliminating the coverage gap phase, establishing a reduced annual out of pocket threshold, and removing cost sharing during the catastrophic phase.
People with prescription coverage should review:
Medicare also reports that, beginning January 1, 2027, some plans may process prior authorization requests electronically and provide decisions through patient portals.
CMS released updated Medicare Advantage and Part D enrollment and disenrollment guidance for 2027 on August 25, 2026. Plans are expected to use the updated guidance for requests received from January 1, 2027.
When reviewing coverage, beneficiaries should check:
Enrollment rules can vary according to the individual's circumstances, so official Medicare information should be consulted before making changes.
CMS is also updating requirements surrounding certain Medicare Advantage supplemental benefits. The final rule includes greater transparency around Special Supplemental Benefits for the Chronically Ill and clarifies requirements for debit cards used to administer supplemental benefits.
Beneficiaries may want to check:
Not every Medicare Advantage plan provides the same supplemental benefits, so plan-specific documents remain important.
Medicare's negotiated prices for another group of Part D drugs take effect January 1, 2027. Medicare advises beneficiaries to contact their plans for information about how negotiated drug prices may affect their specific coverage.
People taking prescription medications can therefore review their 2027 formulary and drug coverage rather than assuming that current coverage will remain unchanged.
Medicare plan changes for 2027 extend across Medicare Advantage quality ratings, Part D prescription coverage, enrollment procedures, supplemental benefits, and certain prescription drug policies. Beneficiaries should review their individual plan documents, medications, providers, benefits, and enrollment information because available coverage varies by plan and location. Checking official Medicare and CMS information can help clarify what changes apply to a particular plan for 2027.