If you have Original Medicare, a Medicare Supplement, and a stand-alone prescription drug plan, your Medicare Part D review 2027 should begin with one simple question: How much is this going to cost me, and will my prescriptions be covered?

That question matters whether you take one prescription or several. Your Medicare annual notice of change for Part D can include updates to premiums, deductibles, drug tiers, pharmacies, and coverage rules. For Minnesota beneficiaries, a Medicare drug plan review can help you understand those changes before they affect you at the pharmacy.

This article is a companion to our guide on 2027 Minnesota Medicare changes and ANOC letters. You can also learn more through our Medicare in Minnesota guide.

"How much is this going to cost me, and will my prescriptions be covered?"

That's where your review should begin.

Suppose you've had the same Part D plan for three years.

Your premium was reasonable.

Your pharmacy worked well.

Your medications were covered.

Great.

But none of that guarantees the same result for 2027.

And that's where inertia can get expensive.

"But Tim, I have a Medicare Supplement. I'm fine."

Your Medicare Supplement and your Part D plan do two different jobs.

Your Medicare Supplement might still be an excellent fit.

That doesn't mean your drug plan shouldn't be reviewed.

In fact, this is one of the groups I especially want to hear from this fall.

You don't necessarily need to change your Medicare Supplement.

We may review everything and determine that your existing Part D plan is still a good fit too.

That's perfectly fine.

The objective isn't to change plans.

The objective is to make sure you're not paying more than necessary or discovering
an unpleasant coverage issue at the pharmacy in January.

The Part D market has already been changing

This isn't theoretical.

KFF found that the average monthly premium for stand-alone PDP coverage was approximately $36 in 2026, compared with about $8 for the Part D portion of Medicare Advantage plans with drug coverage. KFF also found meaningful changes in deductibles and cost sharing across the Part D market.

Now the temporary stabilization demonstration that provided additional assistance to stand-alone PDPs is ending.

That doesn't mean everyone's premium will skyrocket.

It doesn't mean everyone should switch.

It means something much simpler:

Look before you renew by default.

The end of the Part D stabilization demonstration may affect the standalone Part D premium 2027 beneficiaries see. It may also contribute to a Part D premium increase 2027 for some plans. The exact effect depends on the plan, the insurer, your prescriptions, and where you fill them.

For broader background, you can review the 2027 Medicare Part D information from CMS and KFF’s explanation of the Part D premium stabilization changes.

When your 2027 Medicare information arrives, don't throw it away

This is especially important over the next few weeks.

When that envelope from your Medicare prescription drug plan arrives, open it.

Don't assume it's junk mail.

Don't throw it in a drawer until January.

And don't assume that because your Medicare Supplement hasn't changed, there's nothing to review.

Look at what is happening with your drug plan.

Then contact us.

Your ANOC should help you identify important Medicare prescription drug plan changes, including:

• Your new monthly premium
• Any deductible changes
• Changes to drug tiers or cost sharing
• Whether your medications remain on the formulary
• Whether your preferred pharmacy remains preferred
• Changes to quantity limits, prior authorization, or step therapy

The ANOC is not a bill, and receiving one does not automatically mean you need to change plans. It is information you can use to make a more informed decision during Medicare's Annual Enrollment Period.

Let VitalShield do the homework with you

At VitalShield Insurance Services, our job isn't to tell everyone they need a different plan.

Our job is to help you understand your choices.

For a Part D review, we can look at the things that actually matter to you:

Your prescriptions.

Your dosage and frequency.

Your preferred pharmacy.

Your current plan.

Your premium.

Your estimated drug costs.

And the 2027 options available where you live.

Then we can help you understand whether keeping your current coverage or considering another option makes sense.

One phone call could prevent a year's worth of frustration.

If you have a Medicare Supplement and stand-alone prescription drug plan, don't put your 2027 Part D coverage on autopilot.

And if your ANOC or other Medicare paperwork arrives and something doesn't make sense, don't try to decipher it alone.

Contact VitalShield Insurance Services.

Frequently asked questions about Medicare Part D in 2027

Do I need to review my Part D plan every year?

You are not required to change your plan every year. However, reviewing it annually is a good idea because premiums, formularies, deductibles, pharmacy networks, and cost sharing can change. A plan that worked well in 2026 may not be the most cost-effective option for your prescriptions in 2027.

Will my Part D premium go up in 2027?

Some stand-alone Part D premiums may increase in 2027, but no one can say that every plan will have a premium increase. The end of the temporary Part D stabilization demonstration may create larger changes for some plans. Your 2027 ANOC will show the premium for your specific coverage.

Do I need a separate drug plan if I have a Medicare Supplement?

Usually, yes. A Medicare Supplement helps pay certain costs associated with Original Medicare, but it generally does not include prescription drug coverage. People with Original Medicare and a Medicare Supplement commonly enroll in a separate stand-alone Part D plan.

What happens now that the Part D premium stabilization demonstration is ending?

The temporary program provided additional support to some stand-alone prescription drug plans. With the program ending after 2026, plans will make their 2027 pricing decisions without that temporary assistance. This does not mean every premium will increase or that everyone should switch. It means reviewing your plan is more important than automatically renewing.

How do I check if my prescriptions are covered in 2027?

Compare your medication list with the plan's 2027 formulary. Check the exact drug name, dosage, quantity, tier, pharmacy, and any coverage restrictions. You should also compare your estimated annual drug costs rather than looking only at the monthly premium.

Does VitalShield charge for a Part D review?

There is no cost to the client for the VitalShield Part D review. Your request enters our review workflow: Pam verifies your prescriptions, doctors, and pharmacy, and then an appointment is booked with Tim to discuss your options.

For people with more complex Medicare questions, these related resources may also help:

• The 2027 Medicare drug cap: what to know about the $2,400 limit
• How to appeal an IRMAA surcharge
• Medicare Advantage vs. Medicare Supplement: a step-by-step comparison

If you have a Medicare Supplement and stand-alone prescription drug plan, don't put your 2027 Part D coverage on autopilot.

And if your ANOC or other Medicare paperwork arrives and something doesn't make sense, don't try to decipher it alone.

Contact VitalShield Insurance Services.

-> REQUEST YOUR 2027 MEDICARE PRESCRIPTION DRUG REVIEW

We'll help you get clarity on what's changing and what your options are before you make a decision.

There is no cost to the client for this review. Your request enters the VitalShield workflow: Pam verifies your prescriptions, doctors and pharmacy, then an appointment is booked with Tim.

VitalShield Insurance Services

Medicare Made Clear. Decisions Made Simple.