Medicare Extends Price Negotiation to Part B in Third Cycle

CMS announced the third cycle of its Medicare Drug Price Negotiation program, selecting 15 high-cost drugs—including Part B therapies for the first time—plus one renegotiation (Tradjenta); negotiations will occur in 2026 with negotiated prices taking effect January 1, 2028. The agency also released a list of 50 top negotiation-eligible drugs. The 15 drugs were used by about 1.8 million beneficiaries in 2024–2025, accounting for roughly $27 billion in Part B/D spending (about 6% of total); CMS notes potential savings—about $8.5 billion—if those prices had been in effect in 2024, and providers have until February 28, 2026 to participate.