CMS announces Medicare changes each fall for the following plan year. This tracker summarizes confirmed and proposed changes to Part A, Part B, Part D, and Medicare Advantage for 2026 — with plain-language explanations for Pinellas County enrollees.
Featured Tool
Walk through a guided comparison of 2026 Florida Medicare and health plan options with an independent licensed agent — before or after scheduling a call.
Part D Out-of-Pocket Cap
$2,000 annual out-of-pocket cap on Part D drug costs takes effect in 2025 and continues in 2026 under the Inflation Reduction Act.
Medicare Advantage Benchmark Rates
CMS finalized 2026 MA benchmark rates. Average plan payment increase of approximately 5.06% vs. 2025.
Part B Premium
2026 Part B standard monthly premium: $185.00 (up from $174.70 in 2025). Part B deductible: $257.
Part A Deductible
2026 Part A inpatient hospital deductible: $1,676 per benefit period (up from $1,632 in 2025).
DSNP Enrollment Rules
CMS finalized new DSNP integration requirements for 2026. Plans must demonstrate more integrated care coordination.
Extra Help / LIS Income Limits
2026 Extra Help (Low Income Subsidy) income and resource limits updated. Full subsidy threshold increased.
Florida seniors face a critical choice between Medicare Advantage and Medigap plans. Here's how to compare them side-by-side for 2026 — including what's changing and what's not.
Everything you need to know about enrolling in Medicare when you turn 65 — Initial Enrollment Period, Part A and B, Advantage vs. Supplement, and how to avoid costly late-enrollment penalties.
If you qualify for both Medicare and Medicaid in Florida, a Dual Eligible Special Needs Plan (D-SNP) may give you significantly better coverage than a standard Medicare Advantage plan — often at $0 cost.
Prior authorization denials are one of the top complaints from Medicare Advantage enrollees. Here's how the process works, your rights, and how to appeal a denial in Florida.
Plan G and Plan N are the two most popular Medigap options in Florida. Here's a detailed comparison of costs, coverage, and which one makes more sense for different health profiles.
Medicare covers home health care under specific conditions — but the rules are more restrictive than many beneficiaries realize. Here's what's covered, what isn't, and how to qualify.
Medicare covers skilled nursing facility care — but only under specific conditions and for a limited time. Here's exactly how the benefit works and what it costs in 2026.