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Did You Know?...

Medicare Beneficiaries may be Eligible to Enroll or Change their Medicare Advantage Plan Options outside of Annual Enrollment,

if they missed the Annual Enrollment Period – Oct. 15 – Dec 7th.

Give us a call if you need help with your eligibility or plan options

2026 Medicare Changes

What to Know About Medicare Part B Costs in 2026

Medicare Part B helps pay for medical services you receive outside the hospital — like doctor visits, lab tests, preventive screenings, outpatient care, and some home health services.

Here’s what’s expected for 2026 (note: the official numbers will be confirmed by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) in fall 2025):

1️⃣ The Standard Premium

The standard monthly Part B premium for 2025 is $185.00.
It’s projected to rise to $206.50 per month in 2026 — an increase of $21.50, or about 11.6%.
CMS will announce the official amount later this year, but this projection helps people plan ahead.

2️⃣ Higher-Income Surcharges (IRMAA)

If your income is above certain limits, you’ll pay more each month due to a surcharge called IRMAA (Income-Related Monthly Adjustment Amount).

For 2026, the lowest IRMAA bracket may add about $82.60 per month to the standard premium.
The highest bracket could add up to about $495.60 monthly.
CMS uses your 2024 tax return to decide if you’ll owe this surcharge in 2026.

👉 If your income has dropped — for example, you retired or your spouse passed away — you can request an IRMAA appeal to reduce your premium.

3️⃣ The Annual Deductible

In 2025, the Part B deductible is $257.
It’s projected to increase to about $288 in 2026.
This is the amount you pay each year before Medicare starts covering its share of outpatient services.

4️⃣ Why It Matters

Because most people have their Medicare Part B premiums automatically deducted from their Social Security payments, a premium increase could reduce the amount you receive each month.
It’s a good idea to review your income, adjust withdrawals or capital gains if possible, and plan for the 2026 changes in advance.

✅ Bottom Line

Expect higher Medicare Part B costs in 2026 — both in monthly premiums and deductibles.
If your income is on the higher side, you may also see a noticeable IRMAA surcharge.
Keep good financial records and talk with your advisor or Medicare agent about ways to manage your income to avoid unnecessary surcharges.

🔍 References / Sources

AARP Medicare News: Medicare Part B Premiums 2026 Projection
Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS): 2025 Medicare Parts B Premiums and Deductibles Fact Sheet
Kiplinger Retirement Report: Projected IRMAA Brackets for 2026
Medicare Resources: Expected Medicare Changes for 2026
Odyssey Advisors: What to Expect for Medicare and Social Security in 2026

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Enrollment Periods

🗓️ AEP – Annual Enrollment Period

October 15 – December 7 every year
This is the main time most people can make changes to their Medicare coverage.
During AEP, you can:

Switch from Original Medicare to a Medicare Advantage Plan (Part C)
Change from one Medicare Advantage plan to another
Add, drop, or change your Part D (prescription drug plan)
Your new coverage takes effect January 1 of the following year.

🔁 OEP – Open Enrollment Period

January 1 – March 31 each year
This period is for people who are already enrolled in a Medicare Advantage plan.
During OEP, you can:

Switch to a different Medicare Advantage plan
Or return to Original Medicare (and choose a Part D plan if you want one)

You can only make one change during this time, and your new plan starts the first day of the month after you make the change.

🆕 IEP – Initial Enrollment Period

Your IEP is your first chance to sign up for Medicare when you become eligible.
It lasts 7 months — starting 3 months before your 65th birthday, including your birthday month, and ending 3 months after.

During your IEP, you can:

Enroll in Part A (Hospital Insurance) and Part B (Medical Insurance)
Choose a Medicare Advantage or Part D drug plan if you wish

Signing up during this time helps you avoid late-enrollment penalties.

📅 SEP – Special Enrollment Period

A SEP lets you make changes outside the regular enrollment windows when certain life events happen.
You may qualify for a SEP if you:

Move to a new area where your plan isn’t offered
Lose other health coverage (like employer insurance)
Qualify for Medicaid or Extra Help with drug costs

Each SEP has its own rules about how long you have to make changes, usually 2 months from the event.

Important - Avoid Potential Penalties

Did you know:

3 ways to avoid the Part D late enrollment penalty

Enroll in Medicare drug coverage when you're first eligible. Even if you don’t take drugs now, you should consider joining a Medicare drug plan or a Medicare Advantage Plan ...
Enroll in Medicare drug coverage if you lose other creditable coverage. ...
Keep records showing when you had other creditable drug coverage, and tell your plan when they ask about it.

Reference: www.medicare.gov/drug-coverage-part-d/costs-for-medicare-drug-coverage/part-d-late-enrollment-pena…

Part B late enrollment penalty

If you didn't get Part B when you're first eligible, your monthly premium may go up 10% for each 12-month period you could've had Part B, but didn't sign up. In most cases, you'll have to pay this penalty each time you pay your premiums, for as long as you have Part B. And, the penalty increases the longer you go without Part B coverage.

Usually, you don't pay a late enrollment penalty if you meet certain conditions that allow you to sign up for Part B during a Special Enrollment Period. Read more about different situations that may affect when you decide to get Part B.

If you have limited income and resources, your state may help you pay for Part A, and/or Part B. You may also qualify for Extra Help to pay for your Medicare prescription drug coverage.

Reference: Part B late enrollment penalty | Medicare

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We would like to help you with understanding your options, by providing you with helpful information, as well as eliminate the stress of finding the right health plan option that best meet your needs.