5. The Full Cost Picture
Premiums are only one piece of what you pay. Medicare says the plan finder can give you estimates of your total out-of-pocket costs. Standard amounts set by federal formulas also change each year. These are the 2026 figures reported after CMS’s announcement:
| Item | 2025 | 2026 |
|---|---|---|
| Standard monthly Part B premium | $185.00 | $202.90 |
| Part B annual deductible | $257 | $283 |
| Maximum Part D deductible | $590 | $615 |
| Part D out-of-pocket cap | $2,000 | $2,100 |
Sources: Medicare Rights Center (Part B figures) and AARP (Part D figures). Amounts for the following year are announced each fall, so check current figures before comparing.
The American Hospital Association reported that CMS set the 2026 Part A deductible for inpatient hospital services at $1,736, an increase of $60.
Help paying for Medicare
Medicare’s yearly review guide also points readers to Medicare.gov/basics/costs/help for information on getting help paying Medicare costs.
A note on mailings and solicitations
Around open enrollment, Medicare notes you may receive a lot of mail from companies offering Medicare products. It identifies Medicare.gov, the “Medicare & You” handbook, and 1-800-MEDICARE (1-800-633-4227) as its official sources of unbiased Medicare information.
Conclusion
Open enrollment is a limited window, and the rules for it are set out clearly by Medicare. Five areas are worth reviewing: the dates and what you are allowed to change, how your current plan is changing, how your prescriptions are covered, whether your doctors and pharmacies are in network, and your estimated total costs. Plan details vary by location and by plan, so the official plan finder and your own plan documents are the most reliable references.
Frequently Asked Questions
When is Medicare open enrollment?
It runs from October 15 to December 7 each year. Changes made during this period take effect on January 1 of the next year, according to Medicare.gov.
What can I change during open enrollment?
You can join, drop, or switch Medicare Advantage plans. You can also move between Original Medicare and Medicare Advantage. If you have Original Medicare, you can join, drop, or switch Medicare drug plans. The plan must receive your request by December 7.
Can I make changes after December 7?
People already enrolled in Medicare Advantage have a separate window from January 1 through March 31. They can make one change: switch to another Medicare Advantage plan, or go to Original Medicare with or without Part D. This is according to the Medicare Rights Center. The window does not cover everyone, including those with Medical Savings Accounts, cost plans, or PACE.
What is the Part D out-of-pocket cap?
In 2026 the cap on annual out-of-pocket prescription drug costs under Part D is $2,100, up from $2,000 in 2025, according to AARP. The maximum Part D deductible in 2026 is $615.
How can I check whether my doctors and drugs are covered?
Medicare.gov/plan-compare lets you compare plans side by side. It can show cost estimates for your preferred pharmacies and prescriptions, and you can search for your doctors to see whether they are in a plan’s network, per Medicare’s yearly review guide.
Where can I get official Medicare information?
Medicare identifies Medicare.gov, the “Medicare & You” handbook, and 1-800-MEDICARE (1-800-633-4227) as its official sources of unbiased information.
Sources
- Medicare.gov – Your Yearly Medicare Review (Open Enrollment, October 15 – December 7)
- Medicare.gov – Joining a plan
- Medicare.gov – Get help paying costs
- Medicare Rights Center – 2026 Medicare Premiums Announced
- Medicare Rights Center – Medicare Advantage Enrollees Have Until March 31 to Make Certain Coverage Changes
- American Hospital Association – CMS releases details on Medicare premiums, deductibles for 2026
- AARP – 3 Big Medicare Prescription Drug Changes Coming in 2026
- U.S. News – What Is Medicare Part D?
- Kiplinger – Medicare Open Enrollment Guide: Dates and Notices
