Mr. Kim is a 68-year-old Medicare beneficiary with diabetes and obesity. His doctor recommended a GLP-1 medication, but he was concerned about the cost of treatment.

Then he learned about the new Medicare GLP-1 Bridge program. For eligible Medicare Part D beneficiaries, certain GLP-1 medications may be available for $50 per month under the program.

For people like Mr. Kim who have been concerned about prescription drug costs, 2027 will be an important year to review Medicare drug coverage and out-of-pocket expenses.

Prescription Drug Prices Are Changing in 2027

One of the most important Medicare changes is the continued implementation of Medicare prescription drug price negotiations.

For 2027, CMS has negotiated prices for 15 prescription drugs covered under Medicare Part D. These negotiated prices are scheduled to take effect on January 1, 2027.

The medications are used to treat a variety of serious and chronic conditions, including cancer, diabetes, asthma and other diseases.

If you take one of these medications, it is important to check how the negotiated price may affect your prescription costs and your Medicare Part D coverage.

GLP-1 Medications Are Another Important Change

The Medicare GLP-1 Bridge program began in July 2026.

Under this temporary program, eligible Medicare Part D beneficiaries may be able to obtain certain GLP-1 medications for $50 per month when used for weight loss or weight-loss maintenance.

The program is currently scheduled to operate through December 31, 2027.

However, not every GLP-1 medication automatically qualifies for the $50 price. Eligibility, covered medications and other requirements must be checked before assuming that the program will reduce your prescription costs.

If your doctor has recommended a GLP-1 medication, check your Medicare Part D coverage and determine whether you meet the program requirements.

What Is Most-Favored-Nation Drug Pricing?

The Trump administration has also announced additional agreements with pharmaceutical companies aimed at lowering prescription drug prices through a Most-Favored-Nation pricing approach.

As of August 31, 2026, the administration said that agreements had been reached with 26 pharmaceutical companies, covering a large portion of the U.S. branded prescription drug market.

The announced agreements involve medications used for conditions including Parkinson’s disease, hemophilia, age-related macular degeneration, glaucoma, liver disease, skin conditions and certain cancers.

However, there is an important distinction.

Most-Favored-Nation pricing does not mean that every Medicare beneficiary will automatically receive a large reduction in the price of every prescription drug in 2027.

Medicare beneficiaries should therefore focus on whether the medications they actually take are covered by a specific Medicare program or price negotiation and how much they will personally pay.

What Medicare Beneficiaries Should Check for 2027

First

Check whether any of your current prescriptions are among the 15 Medicare-negotiated drugs taking effect in 2027.

Second

If you use or are considering a GLP-1 medication, check your eligibility for the Medicare GLP-1 Bridge program and confirm whether your medication is included.

Third

Review your Medicare Part D plan’s drug formulary and your expected out-of-pocket costs.

The price of a medication is only one part of the equation. Your Medicare plan, pharmacy network, formulary and cost-sharing structure can all affect what you actually pay.

Don’t Forget the 2027 Medicare AEP

The Medicare Annual Enrollment Period is another important opportunity for beneficiaries.

The Medicare AEP runs from October 15 through December 7 each year.

During this period, beneficiaries can make changes to their Medicare Advantage and Medicare Part D coverage. Changes generally become effective on January 1 of the following year.

For this reason, choosing a Medicare plan based only on the monthly premium may not be enough.

Before selecting your 2027 Medicare plan, check your prescription drug coverage, pharmacy network, copayments and expected annual drug costs.

Lower Drug Prices Are Only Part of the Story

The most important question for Medicare beneficiaries is not simply whether prescription drug prices are going down.

The more important question is:

Will these changes actually reduce the amount I pay for my medications?

For people taking multiple medications for diabetes, high blood pressure, heart disease, cancer or other chronic conditions, reviewing prescription drug coverage during AEP can be especially important.

The Medicare drug price negotiation program and the GLP-1 Bridge program are two important developments for 2027.

Don’t choose a Medicare plan based only on the monthly premium. Review your medications, drug coverage and expected out-of-pocket costs before making your 2027 Medicare decision.