Medicare Changes Affecting Older Adults in 2026

Source article: https://www.elderlawanswers.com/how-medicare-changes-in-2026-will-affect-older-adults-21288

The provided text, a source from "Elder Law Answers," outlines significant Medicare changes planned for 2026 primarily aimed at reducing prescription drug expenses and bolstering consumer safeguards for older adults. Key alterations include setting negotiated prices for certain prescription drugs and implementing an annual cap of $2,100 on out-of-pocket Part D costs, along with an optional program to spread drug expenses evenly across 12 months for better budgeting. Furthermore, the article details a new special enrollment period to protect Medicare Advantage beneficiaries who rely on inaccurate provider directories and mentions a prior authorization pilot program being tested in six states for specific traditional Medicare services. The document also provides projected cost increases for 2026 Medicare premiums and deductibles and offers extensive links to related elder law topics like Medicaid planning, estate planning, and long-term care insurance.