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Medicare announced 2026
Executive summary
CMS’s announcements set a mixed picture for Medicare in 2026: Medicare Advantage (MA) and Part D plan premiums, benefits and choices are expected to remain largely stable, while traditional Medicare costs rise — the standard Part B premium is set at $202.90 and the Part B deductible at $283 (CMS/CNBC/FierceHealthcare) [1] [2] [3]. CMS also finalized multiple MA and Part D policy and payment updates for CY 2026 that aim to stabilize plan payments and implement Part D redesign steps [4] [5].
1. What CMS announced: stability for MA/Part D, increases for Parts A/B
CMS’s communications say average premiums, benefits and plan choices for Medicare Advantage and Medicare Part D are expected to remain stable into 2026, with average premiums projected to decline for both MA and Part D from 2025 to 2026 and MA enrollment projected around 34 million (about 48% of Medicare enrollees) [1]. At the same time CMS released final Parts A and B amounts showing higher cost-sharing in traditional Medicare: the standard Part B premium is $202.90 and the Part B deductible will be $283 for 2026, and certain Part A full-premium enrollees will pay $565 monthly [6] [2] [3].
2. What the MA/Part D “stability” claim means in practice
“Stable” reflects CMS policy and rate work intended to avoid big market shocks: the CY 2026 MA and Part D Rate Announcement finalizes payment policies designed to provide program stability, complete a multi-year phase-in of risk-adjustment model improvements, and phase in technical adjustments such as MA-related medical education costs [4] [7]. However, CMS projects a small decrease in the total number of MA plans nationally (from 5,633 to about 5,600) and a slight drop in MA enrollment from 34.9 million to about 34 million — changes that are modest but real [1].
3. Part B premium jump and beneficiary impacts
Multiple outlets and CMS fact sheets report the Part B standard premium rising to $202.90 (a 9.7% increase from $185 in 2025) and the Part B deductible to $283; CMS ties such increases to projected price and utilization changes [2] [3] [6]. Reporting notes this premium is often deducted from Social Security checks and could offset some of a 2026 Social Security cost‑of‑living adjustment for retirees — a practical concern highlighted by analysts [2].
4. Part D redesign and consumer protections
CMS is continuing to implement the Part D redesign created under the Inflation Reduction Act and has released updated Part D bid guidance and premium‑stabilization demonstration parameters for 2026 — for example reducing the uniform base beneficiary premium reduction from $15 to $10 and changing premium cap rules — actions intended to manage market volatility [8]. CMS also finalized instructions and policy changes intended to improve plan finder data and beneficiary protections in MA [5] [4] [9].
5. What stakeholders are saying — insurers and advocates
Insurers such as UnitedHealthcare adjusted their 2026 MA offerings, citing rising medical costs and policy shifts — in one example the company exited some plans serving about 600,000 members, illustrating how private carriers respond to payment and cost pressures even as CMS aims for overall stability [10]. Advocacy and consumer groups (AARP, Kiplinger and others) have highlighted specific 2026 consumer protections like a one‑time special enrollment period if Plan Finder data led patients into plans without their providers listed, and noted other beneficiary-facing changes such as out-of-pocket caps shifting [9] [11].
6. What this does not say / limits of current reporting
Available sources do not mention long‑term projections beyond 2026 in this set of releases, nor do they provide comprehensive state‑level plan-by-plan premium tables here; the announced “stability” is framed as projections and policy choices for CY 2026 rather than guarantees that individual beneficiaries will see lower bills [1] [7]. Also, while CMS emphasizes stability, insurers’ network decisions and local plan exits (e.g., UnitedHealthcare) can still alter options for many beneficiaries [10].
7. Bottom line for beneficiaries and policymakers
For 2026 the key tension is clear and documented: CMS is acting to stabilize MA and Part D markets through payment rules and Part D redesign steps, while traditional Medicare beneficiaries should expect higher Part B (and some Part A) costs that will affect household budgets — a combination that will make plan choice and the annual Open Enrollment window (Oct. 15–Dec. 7, 2025) especially consequential for many people with Medicare [1] [2] [10].