Plan year 2027 · Medicare Part DCMS files of Sept. 22 and Oct. 1, 2026
Blue Medicare Rx Standard, 2027
S5540Contract002Plan
Stand-alone drug plan · sold in the North Carolina region
Run by Blue Cross and Blue Shield of North Carolina (contract S5540), sold as Blue Cross and Blue Shield of North Carolina, owned by CuraCor Solutions Corp.
Blue Medicare Rx Standard (S5540-002) costs $92.10 a month in 2027, up $8.20 from 2026. Its drug deductible is $700 ($615 in 2026).
What changes from 2026 to 2027?
| What you pay or get | 2026 | 2027 | Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| Monthly premium | $83.90 | $92.10 | ▲up $8.20 |
| Drug deductible | $615 | $700 | ▲up $85 |
| Drug tier 3, preferred brand | 20% of the cost | 19% of the cost | ▼down 1 point |
| Drug tier 4, non-preferred drug | 32% of the cost | 29% of the cost | ▼down 3 points |
| 3 lines do not change | |||
| Drug tier 1, preferred generic | $15 | $15 | no change |
| Drug tier 2, generic | $20 | $20 | no change |
| Drug tier 5, specialty tier | 25% of the cost | 25% of the cost | no change |
Source: CMS Medicare Advantage and Part D landscape files for 2027 (Sept. 22, 2026, revised Sept. 30) and 2026 (Sept. 2, 2026 revision); CMS plan benefit package files, 2027 and 2026; CMS plan crosswalk from 2026 to 2027 (Oct. 1, 2026). Plan details can change during the year; confirm on Medicare Plan Finder.
What will prescriptions cost?
| Tier | What the tier holds | 2026, standard pharmacy | 2027, standard pharmacy | 2027, preferred pharmacy |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tier 1 | Preferred Generic | $15 | $15 | $5 |
| Tier 2 | Generic | $20 | $20 | $10 |
| Tier 3 | Preferred Brand | 20% of the cost | 19% of the cost | 19% of the cost |
| Tier 4 | Non-Preferred Drug | 32% of the cost | 29% of the cost | 29% of the cost |
| Tier 5 | Specialty Tier | 25% of the cost | 25% of the cost | 25% of the cost |
| Tier 6 | Select Care Drugs | not offered | $11 | $4 |
Source: CMS plan benefit package files, 2027 and 2026. Insulin is capped at $35 a month by law. A drug's tier is set by the plan's formulary.
How does it compare with the other drug plans in its region?
11 stand-alone drug plans are sold in the North Carolina region for 2027. 4 plans cost less a month; the lowest is Wellcare Value Script at $5.30. With Extra Help its premium is $78.80 a month. With Extra Help, 2 plans in the region cost $0 a month: Wellcare Classic, Humana Basic Rx Plan (marked below).
| Plan | Monthly premium | Deductible | Premium with Extra Help |
|---|---|---|---|
| Wellcare Value ScriptS4802-143 | $5.30 | $700 | $5.30 |
| Wellcare ClassicS4802-081 | $7.30 | $700 | $0 |
| Humana Basic Rx PlanS5884-133 | $12.30 | $700 | $0 |
| Humana Value Rx PlanS5884-187 | $51.30 | $687 | $38 |
| Blue Medicare Rx StandardS5540-002 | $92.10 | $700 | $78.80 |
| Humana Premier Rx PlanS5884-154 | $130.20 | $350 | $116.90 |
| SilverScript ChoiceS5601-016 | $143.50 | $700 | $130.20 |
| HealthSpring Assurance RxS5715-029 | $143.90 | $700 | $130.60 |
| AARP Medicare Rx Saver from UHCS5921-353 | $150.20 | $700 | $136.90 |
| AARP Medicare Rx Preferred from UHCS5921-390 | $203.90 | $300 | $190.60 |
| Blue Medicare Rx EnhancedS5540-004 | $239.20 | $0 | $225.90 |
Source: CMS Medicare Advantage and Part D landscape files for 2027 (Sept. 22, 2026, revised Sept. 30) and 2026 (Sept. 2, 2026 revision) (the Part D low-income beneficiary premium is what a member with Extra Help pays).
Who runs this plan?
- Plan ID
- S5540-002
- Legal name of the contract
- Blue Cross and Blue Shield of North Carolina
- Sold as
- Blue Cross and Blue Shield of North Carolina
- Parent company
- CuraCor Solutions Corp.
- Plan type
- PDP
- 2026 star rating of the contract
- drug plan 3 of 5
- Members, September 2026
- 6,775
- Plan website, as filed with CMS
- https://www.bluecrossnc.com/medicare
Source: CMS Medicare Advantage and Part D landscape files for 2027 (Sept. 22, 2026, revised Sept. 30) and 2026 (Sept. 2, 2026 revision); CMS 2026 Star Ratings (October 2025); CMS monthly enrollment by plan and by county, September 2026 (CMS hides counts under 11). CMS publishes the 2027 Star Ratings in October 2026.
What else should you check?
- Every Blue Cross and Blue Shield of North Carolina plan for 2027Its contracts, counties and plans that end
- The other 1 plan of contract S5540Same company, same contract
- Is your prescription covered?Coverage share and tier for 2,259 drugs
Data, not advice. These are the plan's filed amounts, not a quote for you; confirm on Medicare Plan Finder or call the plan before you enroll.