Medicare Part D
2027 IRMAA in West Fargo, N.D.: Part B & D
WEST FARGO, N.D. — As Medicare's Annual Enrollment Period runs through Dec. 7, higher-income retirees in West Fargo are getting a fresh look at how their tax returns can quietly shape what they pay for Part B and Part D in 2027. The income thresholds that trigger extra charges are set each fall, and for some Cass County households, a modest raise or a one-time capital gain from two years ago could mean a bigger monthly bill next year.
Compare Medicare options near you
Answer 3 quick questions to see Medicare Advantage, Medigap, and 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?
Most Medicare Advantage and Medigap options require both.
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 855-729-3240
Key takeaways
- Medicare's Annual Enrollment Period runs through Dec. 7, and higher income can add extra charges called IRMAA to your Part B and Part D premiums in 2027.
- For 2026, IRMAA starts when a single filer's income is above $109,000, with married couples filing jointly facing roughly double that amount, and the surcharge rises through several higher income brackets.
- Your 2027 IRMAA will be based on your 2025 tax return, so a past home sale, IRA withdrawal, or Roth conversion could unexpectedly raise your costs.
- If your income has dropped since 2024 due to a life-changing event like retirement or loss of a spouse, you can file Form SSA-44 with Social Security to ask for a reconsideration of your IRMAA.
Here is what West Fargo readers should know before they sign anything this fall.
What IRMAA actually is
IRMAA stands for the Income-Related Monthly Adjustment Amount. It is not a penalty and it is not a plan feature — it is an extra amount that Medicare adds to your standard Part B premium and to your Part D premium if your income is above a certain level.
Most people on Medicare do not pay IRMAA. It applies to a smaller group of higher-income beneficiaries, and the Social Security Administration decides who owes it based on tax data from the IRS.
The 2027 income thresholds
For 2026, IRMAA kicks in when a single filer's modified adjusted gross income (MAGI) is above $109,000. For married couples filing jointly, the first threshold is roughly double that. From there, the surcharge climbs through several income brackets — the higher your income, the higher the add-on for both Part B and Part D.
One important quirk: Medicare uses your tax return from two years ago. So your 2027 IRMAA is based on your 2025 income. That timing catches a lot of people off guard, especially after selling a home, taking a large IRA withdrawal, or converting to a Roth.
How the Part D surcharge works
The Part D IRMAA is separate from — and added on top of — whatever premium your drug plan charges. You pay it directly to Medicare (usually deducted from your Social Security check), not to the drug plan itself.
This matters in 2026 because Part D itself is going through big changes: a new $2,100 out-of-pocket cap, a maximum deductible of $615, and the old "donut hole" coverage gap is gone as of 2025 (there are now three phases instead of four). If you want to spread your drug costs across the year, the Medicare Prescription Payment Plan lets you pay in level monthly amounts rather than a big hit at the pharmacy.
What West Fargo residents can do locally
West Fargo is in Cass County, where beneficiaries have a range of stand-alone Part D drug plans and Medicare Advantage plans to compare during Annual Enrollment. Availability and plan counts are set at the county level, so a neighbor in Fargo or Horace sees the same options you do.
If your income has dropped since 2024 — because you retired, lost a spouse, divorced, or had another qualifying "life-changing event" — you can ask Social Security to reconsider your IRMAA using Form SSA-44. That is one of the most useful and under-used tools in the whole Medicare system.
Key dates to keep in mind
- Oct. 15 – Dec. 7: Annual Enrollment Period. Change your Part D or Medicare Advantage plan for 2027.
- Jan. 1 – March 31: Medicare Advantage Open Enrollment. If you are already in an Advantage plan, you get one chance to switch or return to Original Medicare.
- Any time: You can appeal an IRMAA determination if your income has changed.
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 Cass County
(MA penetration in Cass 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.
Higher-income surcharges
2026 IRMAA income brackets
If your income is above a threshold, you pay an income-related surcharge (IRMAA) on top of your Part B and Part D premiums. Your 2026 surcharge is based on your 2024 tax return.
| Income — single filer | Income — married, joint | Part B monthly premium | Part D surcharge |
|---|---|---|---|
| $109,000 or less | $218,000 or less | $202.90 | Plan premium only |
| $109,001 – $137,000 | $218,001 – $274,000 | $284.10 | + $14.50 |
| $137,001 – $171,000 | $274,001 – $342,000 | $405.80 | + $37.40 |
| $171,001 – $205,000 | $342,001 – $410,000 | $527.50 | + $60.40 |
| $205,001 – $500,000 | $410,001 – $750,000 | $649.30 | + $83.30 |
| Above $500,000 | Above $750,000 | $689.90 | + $91.00 |
Standard Part B premium is $202.90/month. Part D surcharges are added to your drug plan’s premium. Married-filing-separately uses a different, compressed schedule. Confirm current amounts at Medicare.gov.
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
Does IRMAA ever go away on its own?
I got an IRMAA letter and my income really did drop. What do I do?
Does IRMAA affect my Medicare Advantage premium?
- CMS — Medicare Part D program rules (medicare.gov)
For personalized answers, contact Medicare.gov, 1-800-MEDICARE, or your local SHIP.