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What You Need to Know This AEP: The Medicare Annual Enrollment Period 2026
- Jamie Byrd
- Oct 22
- 6 min read
The Medicare Annual Enrollment Period (AEP) in 2026 is one of the most critical times of year for folks enrolled in Original Medicare, Medicare Advantage, or Medicare Supplement (Medigap) Plans. The Medicare Annual Enrollment runs from October 15 to December 7, and it is the only window when you can make changes to your overall Medicare coverage.
Tip: Even if you intend to keep your current plan, verify that your prescriptions, providers, and total costs still fit your needs.
At The Bedrock Group, we help clients nationwide make informed, stress-free decisions about Medicare. This year, there are noteworthy updates for 2026, so it is more important than ever to understand the details.
In this blog, we cover:
What the ANOC Letter Means
Key Medicare Changes for 2026
How to Review and Compare Plans
Frequently Asked Questions
Next Steps & Booking Your Review
What is the ANOC Letter - and Why it Matters
ANOC = Annual Notice of Change
If you're enrolled in a Medicare Advantage Plan (Part C) or a Medicare Part D Prescription drug plan, your plan is required to send you an ANOC each fall.
The ANOC Letter contains essential information, such as:
Changes in your premiums, deductibles, copays/coinsurance
Any modifications to your drug formulary (which drugs are covered, tiers, etc.)
Network changes (in-network vs. out-of-network doctors)
Benefit changes (for example, whether some services are added or removed)
Any extra benefits added or eliminated
Why you can't ignore it:
Many people skim or discard the ANOC, but doing so can lead to surprises in January, such as higher costs, missing coverage for a drug you take, or losing access to a provider.
When you get your ANOC:
Compare your new costs and coverage to your current year's costs and coverage.
Check whether your prescriptions are still on the formulary or have shifted tiers.
Check whether your doctors, pharmacies, and specialists are still in network.
Use the information to decide whether to stay with our plan or switch during AEP.
Key Medicare Changes for 2026 You Need to Know
CMS has issued a final rule and Part D redesign instructions that change several aspects of Medicare Advantage and Part D starting in 2026
Here are some key changes:
Area | What's Changing in 2026 | Why it Matters to You |
The Medicare Part B Premium | The projected Medicare Part B Premium for 2026 is $206.50 | This matters because there has been an increase of $21.50 from the 2025 Medicare Part B Premium. |
Part D Out-of-Pocket Threshold | The 2026 OOP (out-of-pocket) threshold is $2,100, up from $2,000 | It takes slightly more in drug costs before you reach catastrophic coverage. |
Part D Deductible | The standard deductible in 2026 is $615, up from $590 | You must pay the full cost of the drugs until you meet the deductible, if your plan uses one. |
Selected Drug Subsidy (NEW) | A new subsidy for certain 'selected drugs' under the Part D redesign; CMS pays a subsidy during the initial coverage phase. | This helps reduce the burden on plans, which may help with pricing or plan availability. |
Cost-sharing for insulin | The cap on insulin cost remains - the enrollee cost sharing is limited to the lesser of $35, 25% of the negotiated price, or 25% of the maximum fair price. | If you use insulin, this protects you from high monthly costs. |
Zero-cost sharing for adult vaccines | Part D Plans must continue to waive cost-sharing/deductibles for adult vaccines recommended by the ACIP. | Vaccines are more accessible and won't hit your wallet. |
Inpatient care decisions & appeals protections | Medicare Advantage plans cannot retroactively deny or downgrade prior approved inpatient admissions unless there is fraud or an obvious error. Coverage decisions are made while inpatients are treated as "organization determinations" (i.e., appeal rights apply). | This change adds protection for beneficiaries in hospital settings. |
SSBCI (Special Supplemental Benefits for Chronically Ill) | CMS finalized a list of non-allowable SSBCI benefits (e.g., purely cosmetic services) that cannot be offered. | Plans may restrict benefits that were previously loosely denied. |
Payment & rate changes | Plans will see an average increase of ~5.06% in CMS payments to MA plans in 2026. | This affects how plans set premiums and benefits. |
Risk adjustment & growth rate adjustments | CMS is completing the three-year phase-in of the updated | Over time, this should improve accuracy in how plans are compensated and priced. |
Note: Specific benefits, premiums, and networks vary by plan and service area.
How to Review & Compare Your Plans
Here is a step-by-step process you can follow during AEP: Gather your materials
Your ANOC, Evidence of Coverage (EOC), Summary of Benefits
Your current year claims or prescription history
Notes about your preferred doctors, specialists, pharmacies
Identify any red flags
Any increase in premiums, deductibles, copays/coinsurance
Drugs you take are moving to a non-preferred tier or are no longer covered
Your doctors or pharmacies are leaving the network
Loss of supplemental benefits or new restrictions
Consider your health trajectory
If you expect more medical care next year, weigh lower cost sharing vs. lower premiums.
If your medications are your major expense, focus on Part D Formularies and cost limits.
Decide whether to stay or switch
If your current plan still meets your needs, you may stay
If not, you can switch to a different medicare Advantage plan, Original Medicare + Part D, or Part D Plans
Work with an advocate
Having a local licensed advisor can help you make an informed decision
(FAQ) Frequently Asked Questions for The Medicare Annual Enrollment Period
Q. When is The Medicare Annual Enrollment Period
A. October 15- December 7 each year. Any plan changes you make during AEP become effective on January 1 of the following year.
Q. I didn't get my ANOC. What should I do?
A. First, contact your plan and ask for a copy. Also, look online (most plans publish their ANOC/EOC on their website).
Q. If I want to keep my current plan, do I need to take action?
A. Yes - even if you plan to stay with your current plan, you should review the new ANOC and plan materials. Confirm that your medications, doctors, and cost expectations are still acceptable.
Q. When do these 2026 changes take effect?
A. JJanuary 1 2026, for coverage changes.
Q. Will my Part D deductible increase?
A. Yes, the standard deductible is increasing to $615 in 2026. However, some plans may choose to waive or reduce the deductible.
Q. How much will I pay out of pocket for drugs before catastrophic coverage?
A. In 2026, that threshold will be $2,100. Once you cross that, you enter into the catastrophic phase with lower cost sharing.
Q. What is the Selected Drug Subsidy?
A. It's a new subsidy where CMS pays a portion of the negotiated price for "selected drugs" during the initial coverage phase, helping reduce fianancial burden on plans.
Next Steps: Download & Book Your Personalized Medicare Annual Enrollment Period 2026 Review
Get our in-depth free resource " Mastering the Medicare Annual Enrollment Period". While on that page, click "Ready to Meet" to book your appointment with a local licensed The Bedrock Group advisor. Have your ANOC, medication list, and provider preferences ready—we'll help you compare options for 2026!
At The Bedrock Group, we are committed to offering you the plan options you deserve, year after year.
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For educational purposes only. Benefits, costs, and networks vary by plan & service area.
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