Medicare Advantage Plans 2026

As we approach the 2026 year, we’ll see just how much Medicare Advantage plans will be changing, but it’s expected that there will be a variety of options as there has been in previous years.

Any coverage details for Medicare Advantage plans in 2026 won’t be released until late 2025, but there will likely be changes that people on Medicare will certainly need to know about.

 

Key Takeaways

  • Learn about changes to Medicare Advantage plans in the 2026 years

 

  • Unravel which costs may be affected in 2026

 

  • Learn about the various enrollment periods for Medicare Advantage plans, including the Annual Enrollment Period, the Initial Enrollment Period, and Special Enrollment Periods

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OVERVIEW OF MEDICARE ADVANTAGE PLANS FOR 2026

For the year 2026, there has been a new addition that beneficiaries might be able to receive. This comes in the form of MAPD, or Medicare Advantage Prescription Drug, additions to plans.

The implementation of the Inflation Reduction Act has made it so that the annual out-of-pocket costs for Medicare Part D recipients has changed for the 2026 year. This change comes in the form of a new maximum out-of-pocket cost per year, capping your spending and helping you save.

Medicare Advantage Plans 2026 OVERVIEW OF MEDICARE ADVANTAGE PLANS FOR 2026 CMAP 2026 Medicare Advantage

Elimination of the Coverage Gap 

In 2026, there has been an additional change concerning the Medicare Part D coverage gap phase.

The Medicare Part D coverage gap phase previously occurred when a certain amount was spent by beneficiaries on specific covered prescriptions. Before, once that cap was reached seniors would enter into the coverage gap, incurring higher costs for prescriptions.

 

Expanded Coverage Areas for 2026

 

Medicare Advantage Plans 2026 Expanded Coverage Areas for 2026 CMAP 2026 Medicare Advantage

 

As of late, Medicare Advantage plans have been expanded, offering seniors a wider availability of plans in various states and counties, as well as covering seniors who were eligible for both Medicare and Medicaid.

To show an example of this, the highly esteemed company of Aetna has recently extended its coverage to include 46 states and Washington, DC., giving seniors 255 county options. This new expansion now covers around 2.2 million more beneficiaries than past years, extending its plans to over 2,269 counties.

Another esteemed company, UnitedHealthcare, has also extended their coverage. Now, this company is able to cover 110 more counties than it has previously been able to, covering 96% of the total coverage area.

Finally, Wellcare, another respected company, extended its coverage to encompass 48 million Medicare-eligible adults nationwide, offering potential additional benefits for beneficiaries.

These various examples of coverage from respected providers shows the new additions for coverage in the 2026 year, offering seniors more options to ensure they find a plan that best suits them.

 

New Benefits

The new benefits for the 2026 year have not been announced yet, but there is a possibility of alterations being made to plans.

For example, 2026 Medicare Advantage plans could potentially offer extra benefits such as lower copays for Part D prescriptions as well as dental, vision, and hearing coverage, extending beyond the reach of Original Medicare.

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POSSIBLE ADDITIONAL BENEFITS

Respected Medicare Advantage insurance providers have previously served their members by improving the various services that they offer. Past benefits have often included:

 

  • Dental: More expansive dental coverage for Medicare Advantage plans, helping oral health needs.
  • Vision: Extended services and benefits from certain carriers to help seniors with their visual health
  • Hearing: Plans began to offer discounts on hearing, including hearing aids and exams.

 

When the 2026 plan details are released, make sure to check back onto this website and enter your zip code in the box below to easily compare plan benefits and costs.

 

Member Experience

Providers of Medicare Advantage plans have previously adopted various benefits for members, including:

  • Digital Health Education: Resources for members to improve digital health literacy, including telehealth visits.

 

  • Online Hubs: Used to provide Medicare Advantage plan information while showcasing their potential benefits.

 

  • Enhanced Plan Comparison: A broader range of Medicare Advantage plans to choose from provided by various respected companies, helping Medicare beneficiaries to compare and select plans.

 

  • Virtual Visits: Healthcare services from the comfort of senior’s homes.

 

  • Reduced Cost-Sharing: Making plans more affordable for Medicare members by reducing the cost-sharing price.

 

  • Additional Supplemental Benefits: Additional benefits may now be available to seniors, potentially including dental, vision, hearing, and prescription drug coverage.

 

With each of these various benefits, the goal is to help seniors make the most of their healthcare experience while improving accessibility.

BEST MEDICARE ADVANTAGE PLANS FOR 2026