Your 2026 Medicare Coverage Guide

What to know with only a few days left in the Medicare enrollment window.

We are just days away from December 7, the end of Medicare Annual Enrollment. If you want to switch your Medicare Advantage plan or update your Part D drug coverage for 2026, this is the time to review your options.

Here is a simple breakdown of what is changing, what is staying the same, and what you should do before the deadline.

What’s new in Medicare for 2026

Medicare is adding a few upgrades, a few cost adjustments, and some helpful safeguards for next year.

A stronger safety net for prescription costs

This is the biggest change. The yearly out-of-pocket limit for Part D prescriptions will be $2,100 in 2026. That is a small increase, but the cap itself is a huge financial protection if you take brand-name or specialty drugs. Once you reach the cap, your covered medications stop adding to your bill for the rest of the year.

A few more pharmacy protections stay in place:

• Insulin stays capped at $35 per month
• ACIP recommended adult vaccines remain cost-free
• The Prescription Payment Plan continues, letting you spread drug costs into predictable monthly payments

These changes help keep medication costs manageable throughout the year.

Part B premiums and deductibles are rising

This is the usual yearly adjustment. Review your 2026 premium so you are not surprised in January.

Medicare Advantage plans are changing

If you are in a Medicare Advantage plan, make sure to look closely at the details for 2026.

Many plans are updating:

• Dental, vision, and hearing allowances
• Over-the-counter card amounts
• Drug tiers
• Network coverage

Even if your premium looks the same, your benefits may not. Take a moment to confirm what is new so you can avoid surprises next year.

What You Can Still Do Before December 7

There is still time to make a confident choice. Use these last few days to compare plans and check for savings programs. Here’s how to make the next few days count:

Look for cost help if your income is limited

Premiums are only one part of the cost equation. Deductibles, copays, and drug tiers can make a low-premium plan more expensive in the long run.

Here are programs worth exploring:

• Medicare Plan Finder: Compare yearly costs based on your prescriptions and doctors.
  • https://www.medicare.gov/plan-compare
• Extra Help (Low Income Subsidy):Helps lower or eliminate Part D premiums, deductibles, and copays.
  • https://www.ssa.gov/medicare/part-d-extra-help
• Medicare Savings Programs (MSPs):Can pay your Part B premium and sometimes deductibles and coinsurance.
  • https://www.medicare.gov/your-medicare-costs/get-help-paying-costs/medicare-savings-programs

If you think you might qualify, check. These programs can make a big difference in your monthly budget.

Know your options with Medicare Advantage

Before December 7, you can:

• Switch to a different Medicare Advantage plan
• Drop Medicare Advantage and return to Original Medicare
• Add or change your Part D plan

The Bottom Line

Medicare in 2026 brings stronger prescription protections, small cost increases, and enough plan changes to make reviewing your options worth your time. With a few days left, you still have room to make a confident, informed choice.

You do not need to know every Medicare rule. You just need clear guidance at the right moment. This is that moment.