Medicare Open Enrollment 2026: A Checklist Before the Dec. 7 Deadline

Mark Your Calendar: October 15 – December 7

Every year, Medicare's Annual Enrollment Period (AEP) gives you a window to review and change your coverage — and every year, it's tempting to let your plan auto-renew without a second look. For 2026, that habit could cost you more than usual, since both premiums and deductibles are rising.

What's Changing in 2026

The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services has confirmed the following increases for 2026:

• Part B standard monthly premium: $202.90, up $17.90 from $185.00 in 2025.
• Part B annual deductible: $283, up $26 from $257 in 2025.
• Part A inpatient hospital deductible: $1,736, up $60 from $1,676 in 2025.

Higher-income beneficiaries should also double check their IRMAA bracket, since Part B and Part D surcharges are based on income from two years prior and thresholds can shift each year.

Your Pre-Deadline Checklist

1. Read your Annual Notice of Change (ANOC). Your current Medicare Advantage or Part D plan sends this every September. It spells out next year's premiums, deductibles, and formulary changes for your specific plan.
2. Check your prescription formulary. Drug tiers and covered medications change year to year. A drug that was Tier 2 this year could move to Tier 4 next year — a real difference in your monthly cost.
3. Confirm your doctors and hospitals are still in-network. Networks shift, especially with Medicare Advantage plans. Don't assume last year's network is this year's network.
4. Compare Medicare Advantage vs. Original Medicare + Medigap. Your health needs and travel plans may have changed since you last chose. This is worth revisiting periodically, not just once.
5. Check your IRMAA exposure. If your income has changed — including from a Roth conversion, the sale of a home, or a large withdrawal — it's worth understanding how that could affect your premiums two years from now.
6. Don't wait until December 6. Plans get busy, phone lines get long, and processing errors happen more often near the deadline.

Why This Matters for Your Broader Retirement Plan

Healthcare costs are one of the biggest — and most underestimated — expenses in retirement, and rising Medicare costs are exactly why they deserve a place in your overall income plan, not just a once-a-year fire drill. If your retirement income strategy doesn't already account for premiums that climb most years, this is a good time to revisit it.

The Takeaway

You don't have to make a change during AEP — but you should make a decision, not just let last year's choice roll over automatically. A 20-minute review now can save real money in 2026.

This article is educational and general in nature and is not a recommendation for your specific Medicare coverage. Sources: Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, "2026 Medicare Parts A & B Premiums and Deductibles."