On average, Medicare beneficiaries can expect to pay about $28 per month for standard Part D prescription drug coverage next year. The estimates from the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services are based on bids submitted for both prescription drug plans and Medicare Advantage drug plans. The estimated monthly premiums are about $3 higher than the average monthly premium costs this year, but 37% lower than projections made when the Medicare prescription drug benefit was created in 2003. The $3 increase is based in part on rising drug costs in general and higher costs for catastrophic drug coverage. In some cases, price increases could be significant, Kerry Weems, CMS acting administrator, said during a teleconference to announce the premium estimates. However, he noted that most beneficiaries will have the option to switch to a prescription drug plan with the same or lower premiums as they paid this year. Open enrollment for the fourth year of the Medicare Part D program is set to begin in November.