New in Medicare for 2026

There are many important changes coming to Medicare in 2026, and these changes will affect most people on Medicare.

Changes to Medicare Advantage Plans in 2026

Big updates are on the way for Medicare Advantage plans in 2026, and they could affect your coverage, costs and choices.

Some insurers are pulling out or scaling back. In Minnesota, companies like UCare, AARP Medicare Advantage from UnitedHealthcare, HealthPartners and Humana are dropping plans or shrinking service areas. That means fewer options in some counties.
Increased costs. Each year, insurance companies update plan premiums, deductibles and out-of-pockets costs. That means what you paid last year might not be the same in 2026.
Updated provider networks and drug lists. Medicare Advantage and Part D plans update their provider networks and drug lists (called formularies) each year. These changes take effect in January, so it’s important to check your plan. Make sure your doctor or clinic still takes your plan, your medications are covered and you know what they’ll cost.
Extra benefits like rides and grocery cards are changing. Insurers must follow tighter rules on who qualifies and how much they can spend. Expect fewer surprise perks and more consistency.

Some Medicare Advantage Plans will no longer be available in 2026

How will you know if your Medicare plan is no longer going to be available in 2026?
Insurance companies will send an Annual Notice of Change (ANOC) by the end of September 2025 to people who are enrolled in their Medicare insurance plan. This letter will note any changes that will be coming in 2026, including if your plan will be ending. The ANOC will include the date your coverage ends, whether your insurer is offering a replacement plan and if they will crosswalk your coverage to this new plan, as well as your enrollment window for switching plans.

What should you do?
Keep and read all letters from your Medicare insurance company. Review your ANOC to see if your plan is changing or ending. If it is ending you will need to choose alternative Medicare coverage for 2026. You can contact your insurance company for a copy of your ANOC letter.

Enroll in another Medicare Advantage plan if available in your county
Enroll in a Medicare Cost plan if available in your county
Return to Original Medicare with an optional Medigap plan
Add standalone Part D drug coverage if needed

You may have Medigap guaranteed issue rights depending on the type of coverage you had previously or if there are no Medicare Advantage plans available in your county.

Medicare Part D drug coverage

In 2026, Medicare Part D insulin copays will be capped at the lowest of three amounts: $35, 25% of the drug’s negotiated price, or 25% of Medicare’s new Maximum Fair Price (MFP).
Medicare will start using negotiated prices for selected drugs under the Inflation Reduction Act.
All CDC-recommended adult vaccines will be covered with no cost sharing, even if received out-of-network. This includes RSV, shingles, Tdap and may cover vaccines needed for international travel.

Drug coverage phases for 2026

Deductible phase – You will pay 100% of the cost sharing up to the $615 deductible.
Initial coverage phase – There is no initial coverage limit. You will pay 25% cost sharing.
Coverage gap – There is no coverage gap.
Catastrophic phase – Once you have reached the $2,100 maximum out-of-pocket threshold, you will have no cost sharing. The maximum out-of-pocket does not include your monthly premiums and drugs not included in your plan’s formulary. You don’t need to do anything to get this benefit—it will happen automatically.

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