5. Costs Under Original Medicare Are Rising
While Part D brings relief, Parts A and B (hospital and outpatient coverage) are getting pricier:
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Part B premiums and deductibles are increasing again in 2025.
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Part A hospital deductibles and coinsurance costs will also rise modestly.
So if you’re on a fixed income, factor those increases into your 2026 budget.
For people on Medicare Advantage, benefits like dental, vision, or wellness perks might tighten as insurers adjust to new payment rules. Before assuming those extras are still included, read your Annual Notice of Change (ANOC) carefully — it’s often the only document that spells out what’s changing.
6. Faster Prior-Authorization Rules (Finally)
One long-frustrating feature of Medicare Advantage is prior authorization — when your doctor must get approval from the plan before performing a test or procedure.
Starting January 2026, insurers will be required to:
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Decide on standard prior-authorization requests within 7 days (instead of 14)
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Respond within 72 hours for urgent cases
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Review how these policies affect people with chronic or serious conditions
That means fewer delays, fewer paperwork headaches, and (hopefully) smoother care for people managing long-term health issues.
