Those enrolled in stand-alone Medicare Part D plans are projected to face an average 9 percent premium increase in 2017 if they remain in their current plan, according to analysis released by the Kaiser Family Foundation.
Average monthly premiums are projected to rise to $42.17 in 2017, a 9 percent increase from the average of $38.57 this year.
Premium prices will vary across plans with the largest enrollment, ranging from $16.81 to $71.66 a month, the Kaiser report said.
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Monthly premiums are also expected to vary across states, from a low of $31.27 in New Mexico to a high of $50.95 in New Jersey.
Part D deductibles are also on the rise for 2017, according to the report. Part D enrollees who stick with the same stand-alone drug plan are projected to pay a deductible of $195 in 2017, on average, up 7 percent from $182 in 2016.
Medicare open enrollment started October 15 and runs through December 7. On average, consumers in each states will have a choice of 22 stand-alone Part D drug plans.
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This is fewer than in any year since 2006 but still represents a substantial number of options, according to the analysis co-authored by researchers at Georgetown University.
Copayments for non-preferred brand name and specialty drugs will result in higher out-of-pocket costs, compared to a low or zero copayment for generic drugs. The typical coinsurance for non-preferred drugs is 40 percent in 2017. About one third of all plans will charge no copay to consumers who buy generics to encourage greater use of these drugs.
Twitter: @SusanJMorse