The 2027 count, from CMS data
CMS's 2027 Landscape file for North Carolina, published before Open Enrollment, lists the plans that can enroll North Carolinians for coverage starting January 1, 2027:
| Type of drug coverage | 2027 in North Carolina |
|---|---|
| Standalone Part D plans (used with Original Medicare) | 11 plans from 6 companies, statewide |
| Medicare Advantage plans open to everyone statewide | 106 plans from 16 companies (not every plan in every county) |
| Medicare Advantage plans in your county | from 11 in Carteret County to 57 in Guilford County |
Most Medicare Advantage plans include Part D drug coverage. Special needs plans for people with Medicaid or certain conditions (57 statewide) must include it.
Why North Carolina's standalone plans are the same everywhere
CMS divides the country into Part D regions, and standalone drug plans are offered region-wide. North Carolina is PDP Region 08, and no other state shares it. (For Medicare Advantage, CMS pairs North Carolina with Virginia in Region 07, but those plans are still approved county by county.) That means a retiree in Murphy and one in Manteo choose from the same standalone plans, while their Medicare Advantage choices can differ a lot. Your county's numbers are on North Carolina counties.
How to narrow the list for your own drugs
- List your prescriptions. Name, strength and how often you take each one.
- Check each plan's formulary. Enter your drugs and ZIP code on PlanMatch or Medicare.gov's Plan Finder.
- Check your pharmacy. Plans have preferred and standard network pharmacies, and costs can differ.
- Compare by your total yearly cost, not the premium alone, and remember that what you pay for covered Part D drugs in 2027 is capped (see the 2027 cap).
You can also request a call from a licensed insurance agent, who can compare plans from the companies they work with, or call 1-800-MEDICARE (1-800-633-4227, TTY 1-877-486-2048). If your Medicare Advantage plan is leaving, see plans ending in 2027. More on how drug plans work in Medicare Part D in North Carolina.
Related questions
What is the Part D out-of-pocket cap for 2027?
The most you pay for covered drugs.
Does North Carolina have a prescription assistance program?
State and federal help with drug costs.
Which drugs have negotiated prices in 2027?
The CMS list for next year.
Sources
- CMS — Medicare Advantage and Part D Landscape files, 2027 (PDP Region 08: North Carolina; MA Region 07)
- Medicare.gov — Drug coverage (Part D)
- Medicare.gov — Find health and drug plans (Plan Finder)
- State Health Plan for Teachers and State Employees — retiree Medicare options
More questions in this guide
- Does North Carolina have a prescription assistance program for seniors?
- Is there still a donut hole in Medicare Part D?
- What is the Medicare Prescription Payment Plan?
- What is the Medicare Part D out-of-pocket cap for 2027?
- Which drugs have Medicare negotiated prices for 2027?
Part of the guide: Medicare Part D in North Carolina · All questions
Frequently asked questions
Are Part D plans different in each North Carolina county?
Standalone Part D plans aren't: North Carolina is a single Part D region, so the same 11 plans are sold statewide. Medicare Advantage plans with drug coverage do vary by county.
Is my 2026 Part D plan still available in 2027?
Check the Annual Notice of Change your plan mailed by September 30. If your plan is ending, it sends a non-renewal letter, and you can choose new drug coverage during Open Enrollment, October 15 to December 7, 2026.
Can a State Health Plan retiree add a standalone Part D plan?
Not without consequences. If you're in the Plan's Base Plan or Enhanced Plan, joining an outside Part D plan removes you from that group Medicare Advantage plan and moves you to the 70/30 Plan. Check with the State Health Plan first.
Which North Carolina Part D plan is cheapest?
This site doesn't rank plans or list premiums. Costs depend on your drugs and pharmacy, so enter them on PlanMatch or Medicare.gov's Plan Finder to compare plans for your own prescriptions.
Medicare in your North Carolina county
Plans, local agents and help, county by county: Wake · Mecklenburg · Guilford · Forsyth · Durham · Cumberland · Buncombe · Union · Johnston · Cabarrus · New Hanover · Gaston · Onslow · Iredell · Alamance · Pitt · Davidson · Brunswick · Catawba · Rowan · All 100 counties →
