Medicare Could Get Messy This Year
Medicare open enrollment could be more complicated than usual this year. Significant premium increases are expected in Part D drug plans, and many Advantage plans may be canceled. That means people on both original Medicare and Advantage plans should review their options carefully.
Policy experts attribute the premium hikes to several factors:
- Increased use of higher-cost prescription drugs
- A new law capping out-of-pocket spending for enrollees
- Changes to a price-stabilization program that has been continued but made less generous by the Trump administration
Key Dates
Open enrollment runs from October 15 through December 7. New plans take effect January 1, 2026. Given the expected disruption, don’t wait until early December; review your options in October. Contact your broker or use the Medicare website to compare plans.
For Original Medicare (with Part D drug coverage):
It’s generally best practice to shop your Part D plan every year to ensure you’re getting the best deal for your prescriptions. This year it’s especially important, given the projected premium hikes. The Medicare website makes it relatively simple to compare plans.
Click here for a helpful video that walks through the process.
Before logging in, gather a list of your current medications (including dosage and frequency) and your preferred pharmacies.
For Medicare Advantage:
If you discover unfavorable changes to your Advantage plan, contact the broker who sold it to you for help finding a new one. One silver lining if your plan is canceled: you can switch back to original Medicare and get a Supplement (Medigap) plan without undergoing medical underwriting.
Bottom Line
Expect change this year. Review any notices you receive in the mail, shop your plan carefully, and don’t hesitate to get help if you need it.