During the week of July 29, 2019, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) announced the average basic premium for Medicare Part D plans is projected to decline in 2020 for the third year in a row, falling from $32.50 this year to $30 next year. CMS Administrator Seema Verma said the downward trend in Part D premiums stems from “actions that CMS has taken to strengthen the Medicare prescription drug program.”