Prescription Drugs - Research and Data from KFF

Analyzing Changes in Medicare Part D Enrollment for 2026

Mar 3, 2026

Issue Brief

The Medicare Part D prescription drug benefit is provided by private plans, either Medicare Advantage plans that offer drug coverage (MA-PDs) or, for those in traditional Medicare, stand-alone prescription drug plans (PDPs). New data from CMS shows that 56 million people are enrolled in Part D plans as of February 2026, with more in MA-PDs than PDPs, reflecting higher overall enrollment in Medicare Advantage than in traditional Medicare. Enrollment in group MA-PD plans decreased while…

While Republicans in Congress have largely opposed the IRA and Medicare drug price negotiation, President Trump appears to be embracing it. With this latest announcement, the Trump administration can take credit for delivering lower drug prices in Medicare, while Democrats can take credit for creating the Medicare drug price negotiation program in the first place.

Understanding the Trump Administration’s Negotiated Drug Prices for Medicare

Nov 26, 2025

Quick Insights

While Republicans in Congress have largely opposed the IRA and Medicare drug price negotiation, President Trump appears to be embracing it. With this latest announcement, the Trump administration can take credit for delivering lower drug prices in Medicare, while Democrats can take credit for creating the Medicare drug price negotiation program in the first place.

Trump Has No Health Plan, He Has the Art of the Health Care Deal

Jan 6, 2026

From Drew Altman

In his first column for the new year, KFF CEO Dr. Drew Altman analyzes President Trump’s “make a deal” approach to health care. He explains that while the president doesn’t have a health reform plan, or even “concepts of a plan,” or a replacement for the ACA, he does have a distinctive set of tactics that features one-off deals with the health care industry that are more like “health policy by transaction.” He writes that…

An image of text is an excerpt from Juliette Cubanski's quick take which reads, "According to the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS), the $90 payments being sent in early October will make Medicare "more affordable" for enrollees. But, as with the earlier proposal, this one-time payment may not go far at offsetting rising costs for health care and other everyday essentials."

The Trump Administration’s $90 Payment to Medicare Beneficiaries, Reminiscent of a Similar Proposal Six Years Ago, May Not Offset Rising Costs

Oct 5, 2026

Quick Insights

Medicare’s standard Part B premium is $2,435 this year and is projected to increase by $79 annually for 2027 – meaning this increase alone would consume most of the $90 payment, which less than half of all beneficiaries will receive.

Many Medicare Part D Stand-Alone Drug Plan Enrollees Will See Modest Premium Increases for 2027, But Others Could Pay Much More If They Don’t Switch Plans

Oct 2, 2026

Issue Brief

This brief analyzes the Medicare Part D stand-alone prescription drug plan (PDP) market for 2027. The analysis shows that there will be a modest reduction in the number of PDPs for 2027, along with modest premium increases less than $10 per month for many enrollees, but much larger monthly premium increases of $50 or more for others if they don’t change plans.

10 Essential Facts About Medicare and Prescription Drug Spending: A Slideshow

Nov 10, 2017

Feature

10 Essential Facts About Medicare and Prescription Drug Spending November 2017 Download

Average Annual Workplace Family Health Premiums Rise Modest 3% to $18,142 in 2016; More Workers Enroll in High-Deductible Plans With Savings Option Over Past Two Years

Sep 14, 2016

News Release

Few Employers Report Changing Workers’ Hours Due to ACA’s Employer Requirements; Those That Do Are More Likely to Shift Workers to Full-Time Status Menlo Park, Calif. – Annual family premiums for employer-sponsored health insurance rose an average of 3 percent to $18,142 this year, a modest increase at a time when workers’ wages (2.5%) and inflation (1.1%) also grew modestly, according to the benchmark Kaiser Family Foundation/Health Research & Educational Trust (HRET) 2016 Employer Health Benefits Survey…

Snapshots of Recent State Initiatives in Medicaid Prescription Drug Cost Control

Feb 21, 2018

Issue Brief

This issue brief provides a snapshot of current state initiatives aimed at addressing the cost of prescription drugs in Medicaid.

Poll: Public Says Drug Companies Have More Influence in Washington than the NRA

Mar 23, 2018

News Release

Democrats Split on Whether to Fix the ACA or Push for a National Health Plan; Few Democratic Voters Say a National Health Plan is Their Top Issue for the Midterms As policymakers weigh strategies to address the high cost of prescription drugs, the latest Kaiser Health Tracking Poll finds that a large majority of the public (72%) view pharmaceutical companies as having too much influence in Washington – more than say the same about the…

What Drives Spending and Utilization on Medicaid Drug Benefits in States?

Dec 10, 2014

Issue Brief

With the approval of new specialty drugs, such as the Hepatitis C treatments Sovaldi and Harvoni, states are mindful that the cost the Medicaid prescription drug benefit could increase. To achieve savings, and improve management and health outcomes, it is important to understand which drugs are most frequently prescribed and which drive spending. Using state drug utilization data provided through the Medicaid Drug Rebate Program, as well as an industry drug database, this issue brief…

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