Medicare 2026
What's changing for Medicare in 2027: a Bethel Park guide to the confirmed figures
Bethel Park, Pa. — Fall 2026. If you have Medicare and live in the South Hills, the next few weeks are the ones that count. The Annual Enrollment Period runs October 15 through December 7, 2026, and any change you make during that window takes effect January 1, 2027. Some of the 2027 numbers are already set by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS). Others — including the 2027 Part B premium and the new IRMAA income brackets — have not been published yet. Here is what a Bethel Park resident can rely on today, and what to watch for before December 7.
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Key takeaways
- The 2027 Part D out-of-pocket cap rises to **$2,400**, up from $2,100 in 2026, and the maximum Part D deductible rises to **$700**, up from $615.
- CMS has **not yet released** the 2027 Part B premium, Part B deductible, or IRMAA income brackets; those usually come out in November, so watch medicare.gov.
- Read the **Annual Notice of Change (ANOC)** your plan mailed in September — it lists your plan's own 2027 changes, and only your plan can tell you what its 2027 costs will be.
- Bethel Park sits in **Allegheny County**, where CMS's 2026 Landscape shows **96 Medicare Advantage plans from 16 carriers**; the 2027 lineup posts on Plan Finder for the enrollment window.
What CMS has confirmed for 2027
Two Part D figures are locked in for 2027 and apply to every Medicare drug plan in the country, including plans sold in Allegheny County:
- Part D out-of-pocket cap: $2,400 in 2027 (it was $2,100 in 2026). Once your out-of-pocket spending on covered drugs reaches that cap, you pay $0 for covered drugs for the rest of the year.
- Part D maximum deductible: $700 in 2027 (up from $615 in 2026). Plans can charge less than this, but not more.
CMS has also published the 2027 Part D national base beneficiary premium: $41.33. That number is a formula input CMS uses in the background — it is not what any specific plan charges you. Your actual Part D premium is set by the plan.
One thing that has not changed: the old "donut hole" coverage gap was eliminated in 2025, so Part D now has three phases (deductible, initial coverage, catastrophic). The Medicare Prescription Payment Plan, which lets you spread drug costs across the calendar year in level monthly payments, is still available for 2027 if you'd rather smooth out big pharmacy bills.
What CMS has NOT announced yet
Two big numbers are still pending as of fall 2026, and we're not going to guess at them:
- The 2027 Part B standard premium and Part B deductible. CMS typically announces these in November.
- The 2027 IRMAA income brackets and surcharge amounts for higher-income beneficiaries. These are published alongside the Part B figures. (For reference, in 2026, IRMAA surcharges begin above $109,000 in income for a single filer.)
If someone quotes you a specific 2027 Part B premium or IRMAA number right now, it's an estimate — not the official figure. Check medicare.gov once CMS posts it.
The Annual Notice of Change: the letter that matters most
If you're already in a Medicare Advantage or Part D plan, the single most useful piece of paper this fall is your plan's Annual Notice of Change (ANOC), which arrived in late September. The ANOC shows, side by side:
- Your 2026 premium, deductible and copays vs. what they'll be in 2027
- Whether your plan is still offered in Allegheny County next year
- Any changes to the drug list (formulary), pharmacy network or provider network
- Any changes to extra benefits like dental, vision, hearing, or over-the-counter allowances
Read it. If a medication you take moved to a higher tier, or your primary care doctor at AHN or UPMC is no longer in-network next year, those are the exact reasons to shop during AEP. If nothing about your plan changed in a way that affects you, doing nothing is also a valid choice — your plan will simply renew on January 1, 2027.
Plan availability in and around Bethel Park
Medicare Advantage and Part D plan availability is set at the county level, not the ZIP code or town. Bethel Park is in Allegheny County, where CMS's 2026 Landscape data shows:
- 96 Medicare Advantage plans offered by 16 carriers
- 14 carriers offering Medicare Advantage plans that include drug coverage (MA-PD)
- 33 Special Needs Plans (for people with Medicaid, certain chronic conditions, or who live in institutional settings)
- 0 stand-alone Part D plans listed for the area in the 2026 Landscape file — most local drug coverage runs through MA-PD plans
Carriers offering Medicare Advantage in Allegheny County for 2026 include Aetna (CVS Health), American Health Advantage of Pennsylvania, Blue Cross Blue Shield (HCSC), Centene (WellCare), Devoted Health, Geisinger Gold, Highmark Blue Cross Blue Shield, Highmark Wholecare Medicare Assured, Humana, Jefferson Health Plans, Perennial Advantage, Provider Partners Health Plans, UnitedHealthcare, UPMC for Life, UPMC for Life Complete Care, and VISTA Health Plan Inc. The table below lists every plan by carrier. The 2027 lineup — including any new plans and any plans not returning — will appear on Medicare Plan Finder during the enrollment window.
What to do between now and December 7
A simple checklist for a Bethel Park household:
1. Find your ANOC. Compare 2026 vs. 2027 for your current plan. 2. List your drugs and your doctors. Include dosages and pharmacies you actually use (Giant Eagle on Fort Couch, a specialist in Mt. Lebanon, etc.). 3. Use Medicare Plan Finder at medicare.gov. Enter your ZIP (15102) and your drug list. Plan Finder will show every MA and Part D option available where you live for 2027. 4. Call for free, unbiased help. Pennsylvania's SHIP program is called APPRISE. Counselors do not sell insurance. Reach them at 1-800-783-7067. 5. Watch for the 2027 Part B and IRMAA figures from CMS in November if your income is near an IRMAA threshold or you're on a fixed budget.
If you miss December 7 and you're in a Medicare Advantage plan, you still have the Medicare Advantage Open Enrollment Period, January 1 – March 31, 2027, to switch MA plans once or drop back to Original Medicare.
By the numbers
Medicare Part B premium, 2006–2026
The standard monthly Part B premium has climbed from $88.50 in 2006 to $202.90 in 2026. Hover any point for that year’s premium.
Source: CMS. Standard premium shown; in some hold-harmless years many existing enrollees paid less. Confirm at Medicare.gov.
By the numbers
How people get Medicare in Allegheny County
(MA penetration in Allegheny County)
MA penetration from CMS enrollment data; Medigap share is an estimate. U.S. average is about 54% Medicare Advantage. These are area-level figures, not plan-specific.
Key dates
Medicare enrollment periods at a glance
- Around your 65thInitial Enrollment PeriodA 7-month window around the month you turn 65 — your first chance to sign up.
- October 15 – December 7Annual Enrollment PeriodAnyone with Medicare can join, switch, or drop a Medicare Advantage or Part D plan.
- January 1 – March 31Medicare Advantage Open EnrollmentIf you're already in a Medicare Advantage plan, you can make one change.
- January 1 – March 31General Enrollment PeriodFor people who missed their first chance to sign up for Part B.
- VariesSpecial Enrollment PeriodTriggered by life events like moving or losing other coverage.
Dates are set by Medicare and apply nationwide. Confirm your personal windows at Medicare.gov or 1-800-MEDICARE.
Explore
When can you enroll? An interactive year
Enrollment windows are federal and the same nationwide. Confirm your personal dates at Medicare.gov or 1-800-MEDICARE.
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The parts of Medicare
Good to know
Frequently asked questions
What is the 2027 Part D out-of-pocket cap?
What will the 2027 Part B premium be?
Do I have to do anything if I like my current plan?
Are there stand-alone Part D drug plans in Allegheny County?
- CMS — Medicare Part D program rules (medicare.gov)
- CMS — Medicare enrollment periods (medicare.gov)
- CMS — MA/Part D Landscape & Plan Finder data
For personalized answers, contact Medicare.gov, 1-800-MEDICARE, or your local SHIP.
Also for Bethel Park
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This page was last updated: September 2026.