2026 Medicare Trends You Should Know

As each new year rolls around, Medicare beneficiaries are often surprised to learn just how much their coverage can shift from year to year. Whether you stayed with the same plan in 2026 or made a change during the Annual Enrollment Period (AEP), it’s important to understand what’s happening in the Medicare world right now — because it impacts both your benefits and your wallet.

Here are five of the biggest Medicare trends for 2026:

1. **Expanded Preventive Care Benefits**

Many Medicare Advantage plans are increasing their preventive care offerings. These include more frequent screenings for chronic conditions, increased access to annual wellness visits, and even incentives for participating in healthy lifestyle programs. Staying ahead of illness is not only better for your health — it saves you money.

2. **Changes to Dental, Vision, and OTC Benefits**

In 2026, some plans have boosted their dental, vision, and hearing coverage — especially when it comes to comprehensive dental services like crowns and extractions or higher eyewear allowances. However, not all changes are improvements. Some carriers have quietly reduced benefits or made them more restrictive. It's always worth double-checking what your plan covers.

3. **More PPO Plans Are Disappearing**

In some counties, carriers are pulling back their PPO offerings. While PPOs offer flexibility, they often come with higher premiums or MOOPs (maximum out-of-pocket limits). If you relied on a PPO in the past, it’s essential to review whether your plan is still available — and if not, what your best alternative is.

4. **Selective Part B Givebacks**

Yes, those Part B givebacks (where your plan contributes back toward your monthly Part B premium) are still around — but they’re limited to specific ZIP codes and plan tiers. Don’t assume just because a plan has a giveback in one area that it’s available in yours. If you qualify, it can mean an extra $60–$100 a month in your Social Security check, so it’s worth checking.

5. **Improved Options for Dual-Eligible and Chronic Plans**

Dual Special Needs Plans (DSNPs) and Chronic Special Needs Plans (C-SNPs) continue to grow in popularity. These plans are tailored for people with Medicaid or chronic conditions like diabetes, heart disease, or COPD. In 2026, several carriers have improved their C-SNP offerings, increasing access to specialists, home care services, and condition-specific support programs.

The bottom line? Even if you didn’t change your plan for 2026, your plan might have changed itself — and those changes matter.

If you’d like a personal review of your plan benefits, eligibility for givebacks, or to explore chronic/dual-eligible options, I’m just a call or text away.

– Dalton Brewster, Licensed Medicare Agent

📞 (949) 209-1491