Medicare 2026

Richland Medicare Enrollment: 2027 Drug Cap Update

RICHLAND, Wash. — The clock is already running on Medicare's biggest decision window of the year. From October 15 through December 7, 2026, people with Medicare can review, switch, or drop coverage for 2027 — and whatever you choose (or leave alone) takes effect January 1. With the Part D out-of-pocket drug cap rising to $2,400 in 2027, this fall is a good time to actually open that thick envelope from your plan instead of tossing it on the counter.

What you can actually do between Oct. 15 and Dec. 7

The Annual Enrollment Period (AEP) is the one stretch of the year when almost anyone with Medicare can make a change, no questions asked. During this window, you can:

• Switch from Original Medicare to a Medicare Advantage plan, or the other way around.
• Change from one Medicare Advantage plan to another.
• Join a stand-alone Part D prescription drug plan, switch to a different one, or drop drug coverage entirely.
• Sign up for Part D for the first time if you're already enrolled in Part A or Part B.

Whatever you pick during AEP starts January 1, 2027. Miss the December 7 deadline, and in most cases you'll be locked into your current coverage for the year — with a narrower second-chance window (Medicare Advantage Open Enrollment, Jan. 1 – March 31) if you're already in an Advantage plan and want out.

Why 2027 is worth a fresh look

A few program-wide changes make this year different from a routine renewal:

• A hard $2,400 cap on Part D out-of-pocket drug costs in 2027. Once you hit that number, you pay nothing more for covered drugs the rest of the year.
• The old "donut hole" is gone. As of 2025, Part D has three simpler phases — deductible, initial coverage, and catastrophic — instead of four.
• The Medicare Prescription Payment Plan lets you spread your out-of-pocket drug costs across the calendar year in monthly installments instead of paying big amounts at the pharmacy counter. It's optional and free to join.
• Part D deductibles can't exceed $700 in 2027 (the 2026 ceiling is $615).
• IRMAA — the income-related surcharge on Part B and Part D premiums — starts above $109,000 for a single filer in 2026.

None of these are plan-specific selling points. They apply across Medicare, and they're reason enough to double-check that the plan you had in 2026 still fits your prescriptions and budget in 2027.

Read the letter your plan sent you

If you're already in a Medicare Advantage or Part D plan, you should have received an Annual Notice of Change (ANOC) by late September. It spells out what's changing in 2027: premium, deductible, copays, drug list (formulary), and provider network. A plan you liked this year can look very different in January. If a prescription you take is moving to a higher cost tier, or your doctor is leaving the network, this letter is where you'll find out — but only if you read it.

Richland and Benton County specifics

Medicare Advantage and Part D plan availability is set at the county level. Richland is in Benton County, so the plans you can choose from are the ones CMS has approved for Benton County residents. Kennewick and West Richland neighbors see the same lineup you do. When you use the Plan Finder at medicare.gov, enter your ZIP code and it will pull the current county-level options, including how many stand-alone drug plans and Medicare Advantage plans are on offer for 2027.

What if you do nothing?

For most people, existing coverage renews automatically. That sounds convenient, but "automatic" doesn't mean "unchanged." Your premium, drug tiers, and network can all shift on January 1. If your plan is being discontinued, Medicare will send a separate notice, and you'll have a special window to pick a replacement. Otherwise, silence on your part equals a yes to next year's version of your current plan.

Where to get unbiased help

You don't have to figure this out alone, and you don't have to talk to a salesperson to get answers.

• Medicare.gov — the official Plan Finder, updated for 2027 plans in early October.
• 1-800-MEDICARE (1-800-633-4227) — 24/7, free.
• Washington SHIBA (Statewide Health Insurance Benefits Advisors) — the state's SHIP program offers free, confidential counseling. Call 1-800-562-6900 or visit insurance.wa.gov/shiba to find a counselor serving Benton County.