Medicare Part D
Taunton Medicare Guide: 2027 Part D Rules
TAUNTON, Mass. — If you take prescription drugs and have Medicare, 2027 brings another round of Part D changes. The out-of-pocket cap is $2,100 in 2026 and $2,400 in 2027, the deductible ceiling is $615 in 2026 and $700 in 2027, and the old "donut hole" is gone. Here in Taunton, where many neighbors rely on Part D to help pay for medicines, understanding how the program works now can make Annual Enrollment feel a lot less confusing.
Compare Medicare Part D options near you
Answer 3 quick questions to see Medicare Part D listings from licensed insurance partners.
What’s your ZIP code?
Plan availability is set by your county, so we start here.
How old are you?
This helps match you with options you’re eligible for.
Do you have Medicare Parts A & B?
This affects which Medicare Part D options you can choose.
These listings are provided by licensed insurance partners.
Will your prescriptions still be covered in 2027?
Part D plans rewrite their drug lists every year — tiers move, pharmacies change, drugs drop off. One call checks your exact medications against the 2027 plans in your area.
- Every prescription checked, name by name
- Your pharmacy checked for preferred pricing
Available now — current wait: 0 min
A real person answers. No phone menu, ever.
Want to see more plan options?
Answer a few more questions to continue to additional options from licensed partners.
Continue →Advertising disclosure: MyMedicarePlans.org may be compensated when you contact a partner or licensed agent. Listings are not ranked or endorsed by us, and we do not recommend specific plans. You can also contact Medicare.gov, 1-800-MEDICARE, or your local SHIP.
Speak to a Licensed Insurance Agent
Click to call 855-729-3240Key takeaways
- In 2027, Medicare Part D drug plans will have a $2,400 out-of-pocket cap, a deductible that can't be higher than $700, and no more "donut hole" coverage gap.
- Once your yearly drug spending hits the annual cap — $2,100 in 2026 and $2,400 in 2027 — you pay $0 for covered Part D drugs for the rest of the year, though premiums don't count toward that total.
- If a big drug bill feels hard to pay at once, the optional Medicare Prescription Payment Plan lets you spread costs into monthly payments instead of lowering what you owe.
- Higher earners (over $109,000 single or $218,000 joint, based on 2024 income) will pay an extra IRMAA charge on top of their Part D premium, but this can be reconsidered after a life event like retirement.
How Part D works in 2027 for Taunton readers
Taunton is in Bristol County, where Part D plans are sold and priced at the county level. That means the rules below apply the same way whether you live near Church Green, out toward East Taunton, or over by Weir Village.
The three phases of Part D in 2027
As of 2025, Medicare cut the coverage gap out of Part D. That leaves three phases in 2027:
1. Deductible phase. You pay the full negotiated price for your drugs until you meet your plan's deductible. The maximum deductible a Part D plan can charge is $615 in 2026 and $700 in 2027. Some plans set it lower, and some drugs may be covered before the deductible is met.
2. Initial coverage phase. After the deductible, you pay a copay or coinsurance for each prescription and your plan pays the rest. This continues until your out-of-pocket spending hits the annual cap.
3. Catastrophic phase. Once your out-of-pocket drug spending reaches the annual cap — $2,100 in 2026 and $2,400 in 2027 — you pay $0 for covered Part D drugs for the rest of the calendar year. This is the cap introduced in 2025, and it's the biggest built-in protection Part D has ever offered.
The Part D cap, in plain English
The $2,100 in 2026 ($2,400 in 2027) figure is a hard ceiling on what you personally spend at the pharmacy counter for covered Part D drugs in a calendar year. Premiums don't count toward it, but your deductible and your cost-sharing do. Once you reach it, you're done paying for covered drugs until January 1.
For Taunton residents on expensive medications — think certain cancer, diabetes, or autoimmune treatments — this can be a meaningful change from years past, when there was no true annual limit.
The Medicare Prescription Payment Plan
If a $2,100 in 2026 ($2,400 in 2027) bill in January feels like too much at once, Medicare now offers the Medicare Prescription Payment Plan. It's optional and free to join. Instead of paying the pharmacy directly, your plan spreads your drug costs across monthly payments through the rest of the year.
It doesn't lower what you owe — it just smooths it out. You can sign up before the plan year or any time during the year by contacting your Part D plan.
What about higher-income enrollees?
If your income is above $109,000 as a single filer (or $218,000 filing jointly) based on your 2024 tax return, you'll pay an income-related monthly adjustment amount, called IRMAA, on top of your Part D premium in 2026. Social Security notifies you by mail. If your income has dropped due to a life event like retirement or the loss of a spouse, you can ask Social Security to reconsider.
Key dates for Taunton enrollees
- October 15 – December 7: Medicare Annual Enrollment Period. This is when you can join, switch, or drop a Part D plan for the following year.
- January 1 – March 31: Medicare Advantage Open Enrollment Period. If you're in a Medicare Advantage plan, you get one chance to switch to another MA plan or return to Original Medicare (and add a stand-alone Part D plan).
Even if you're happy with your current coverage, it's worth reviewing your plan each fall. Formularies, pharmacy networks, and cost-sharing can change from year to year.
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 Bristol County
(MA penetration in Bristol 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.
Prescription coverage
How Medicare Part D works in 2027
The old coverage gap (“donut hole”) was eliminated as of 2025 (three phases now). There's a hard yearly cap on what you pay out of pocket for covered drugs — $2,100 in 2026 and $2,400 in 2027 — and you can spread those costs across the year with the Medicare Prescription Payment Plan.
Try it
How the 2026 Part D drug cap works
Slide to your estimated yearly prescription costs and see how the new $2,100 out-of-pocket cap protects you. This illustrates the standard Part D benefit; your plan may structure costs differently.
Once your out-of-pocket spending on covered drugs reaches $2,100, you pay nothing more for the rest of 2026. Confirm details at Medicare.gov.
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.
Good to know
Frequently asked questions
Do I still have to worry about the donut hole in 2027?
Does the $2,100 cap include my monthly premium?
Do I have to sign up for the Prescription Payment Plan?
- CMS — Medicare Part D program rules (medicare.gov)
For personalized answers, contact Medicare.gov, 1-800-MEDICARE, or your local SHIP.