The average monthly premium for a basic Medicare Part D prescription drug plan in 2017 will remain relatively stable at an estimated $34 per month – or approximately $1.50 higher than the average premium in 2016 – the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services announced today. The projection is based on bids submitted by drug and health plans for basic drug coverage for the 2017 benefit year. Despite the relatively small increase in premiums, CMS expressed its ongoing concerns about the overall increase in the cost of prescription drugs and cited evidence that total Medicare Part D expenditures are growing faster than Medicare Parts A and B expenditures. To view the Part D base beneficiary premium, regional low-income premium subsidies, Medicare Advantage regional benchmarks and other data, visit www.cms.gov.

Related News Articles

Headline
Aetna’s new “level of severity inpatient payment” policy is now set to take effect Jan. 1, 2026, the company recently announced, along with providing…
Headline
A joint advisory issued yesterday by U.S. and international agencies provides updated guidance to defend against the Akira ransomware group, which…
Headline
Health care executives will share trauma-informed strategies to reduce violence, support staff and foster healing during an AHA webinar Dec…
Perspective
Public
Nov. 20 is National Rural Health Day. It’s an opportunity to recognize the many ways rural hospitals advance health in their communities, as well as raise…
Headline
The 43-day government shutdown ended last night when President Trump signed a funding bill into law, hours after the House passed the measure by a 222-209 vote…
Headline
Medicaid enrollment decreased 7.6% in fiscal year 2025 and is expected to be mostly flat in FY 2026, according to KFF’s annual Medicaid Budget Survey released…