The independent source for health policy research, polling, and news.
1 in 5 Medicare beneficiaries (20%) can choose from among more than 40 Medicare Advantage prescription drug plans for 2027, down from 27% in 2026. 1% of all beneficiaries, or 638,000 people, will have no plan option for 2027, up from 399,000 this year.
This brief provides an overview of key trends in Medicare spending and spending growth, as well as the impact of these trends on out-of-pocket costs for Medicare beneficiaries and Medicare program solvency, as projected by the Medicare Trustees in the 2026 Trustees Report.
This brief presents key facts and analysis about affordability of health care costs among people with Medicare, including younger adults with long-term disabilities, drawing on data from various sources.
Federal payments to Medicare Advantage plans, and adjustments for health status, have come under increased scrutiny. This brief answers key questions about coding intensity, recent steps taken by CMS, the effects on beneficiaries, and other proposals to improve payment accuracy.
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.
This interactive provides the facts on Medicare spending. Medicare, which serves 67 million people and accounts for 12 percent of the federal budget and 21 percent of national health spending, is often the focus of discussions about health expenditures, health care affordability and the sustainability of federal health programs. Explore data on enrollment growth, Medicare spending trends overall and per person, growth in Medicare spending relative to private insurance, spending on benefits and Medicare Advantage, Part A trust fund solvency challenges, and growth in out-of-pocket spending by beneficiaries.
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