Medicare Part D
Missouri City Guide to Medicare Part D's 2027 Payment Plan
Missouri City, Texas — Starting January 1, 2027, Medicare Part D caps what you pay out of pocket for covered prescription drugs at $2,400 for the year. It's the latest step in the biggest Part D shift in years, and it lands right in the middle of Medicare's Annual Enrollment Period, which runs October 15 through December 7.
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Key takeaways
- Starting January 1, 2027, Medicare Part D caps out-of-pocket costs for covered prescription drugs at $2,400 for the year, after which you pay nothing for the rest of the year on those drugs.
- The old "donut hole" phase was eliminated as of 2025, leaving Part D with just three phases: deductible (up to $700 in 2027), initial coverage, and catastrophic coverage.
- The optional Medicare Prescription Payment Plan lets you spread your out-of-pocket drug costs into monthly installments through your Part D plan instead of paying the pharmacy all at once.
- The Annual Enrollment Period runs October 15 through December 7, and Medicare Advantage members who miss it get another chance to switch plans or return to Original Medicare between January 1 and March 31.
If you take expensive medications — or you've ever hit what people used to call the "donut hole" — this change matters. Here's a plain-English look at what's new, what stays the same, and how to make a smart decision before the deadline.
The Part D cap, in plain terms
In 2027, once your out-of-pocket spending on covered Part D drugs reaches $2,400, you pay nothing for the rest of the calendar year on those covered drugs. That's it. No more open-ended drug bills stretching into the thousands.
A few things worth knowing:
- The cap applies to covered Part D drugs — medications on your plan's formulary.
- It resets every January 1.
- The Part D maximum deductible is $615 in 2026 and $700 in 2027, though some plans set a lower deductible.
- The cap follows you whether your drug coverage comes through a stand-alone Part D plan or through a Medicare Advantage plan that includes drug coverage.
These are program-level rules set by CMS under the Inflation Reduction Act. You can confirm them at medicare.gov.
The coverage gap is gone
For years, Part D had four phases, and the third one — the "donut hole" — was where people got hit with big bills after their plan's initial coverage ran out.
As of 2025, that phase was eliminated. Part D now has just three phases:
1. Deductible (if your plan has one, up to $700 in 2027) 2. Initial coverage (you pay a share, your plan pays a share) 3. Catastrophic coverage (you pay nothing once you hit the yearly cap)
That simpler structure carries into 2027. No more surprise price jumps mid-year for most people.
The Medicare Prescription Payment Plan
Even with a yearly cap, some folks can't handle a big pharmacy bill in a single month — especially early in the year when the deductible kicks in.
That's what the Medicare Prescription Payment Plan is for. It's an optional program that lets you spread your out-of-pocket drug costs across the calendar year in monthly payments instead of paying the pharmacy up front. You still owe the same total; you just pay it in installments through your Part D plan.
A few points:
- It's voluntary. You have to opt in.
- It doesn't save you money — it smooths the timing.
- It's most useful if you have a high-cost prescription hit early in the year.
- You can sign up before the plan year starts or during the year.
If you think this could help, ask your Part D plan (or the plan you're considering) how to enroll.
What this means during AEP
Missouri City is in Fort Bend County, where Medicare beneficiaries have a range of stand-alone Part D and Medicare Advantage options to choose from during Annual Enrollment. Plan availability and formularies are set at the county level, so what's offered in Fort Bend County may differ from a neighboring county.
Between now and December 7, it's worth doing three things:
1. Read your Annual Notice of Change (ANOC) from your current plan. Premiums, formularies, and pharmacy networks can shift year to year. 2. Check that your drugs are still covered in 2027 and at what tier. 3. Compare plans on the Medicare Plan Finder at medicare.gov, using your actual prescription list.
If you miss December 7 and you're on Medicare Advantage, you'll get a second window — the Medicare Advantage Open Enrollment Period, January 1 through March 31 — to switch Advantage plans or return to Original Medicare.
A note on 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 may owe an IRMAA surcharge on top of your Part B and Part D premiums in 2026. The Social Security Administration notifies you if this applies. It's not a penalty — it's an income-based adjustment.
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 Fort Bend County
(MA penetration in Fort Bend 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”) is eliminated as of 2025 (three phases now). There’s now a hard yearly cap of $2,100 in 2026 ($2,400 in 2027) on what you pay out of pocket for covered drugs, 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
Does the $2,100 cap include my monthly Part D premium?
What if my drug isn't on my plan's formulary?
Can I sign up for the payment plan mid-year?
- CMS — Medicare Part D program rules (medicare.gov)
For personalized answers, contact Medicare.gov, 1-800-MEDICARE, or your local SHIP.