{"id":51006,"date":"2022-05-09T21:34:50","date_gmt":"2022-05-10T01:34:50","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.singlecare.com\/blog\/?p=51006"},"modified":"2026-01-15T15:07:49","modified_gmt":"2026-01-15T20:07:49","slug":"compare-medicare-part-d-plans","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.singlecare.com\/blog\/compare-medicare-part-d-plans\/","title":{"rendered":"2026 Medicare Part D changes"},"content":{"rendered":"

Those who are already enrolled in Original Medicare (Part A and Part B) may choose to enroll in prescription drug coverage through Medicare Part D, while Medicare Advantage Plans (Part C) typically offer prescription drug benefits to people who choose to enroll in their plan instead of Original Medicare with a standalone Part D plan. Like other health insurance plans, <\/span>changes to the Medicare program occur from year to year<\/span><\/a>. If you have Medicare in 2026, it\u2019s important to understand the drug coverage changes that went into effect for this year.<\/span><\/p>\n

Changes to Medicare Part D plans in 2026<\/span><\/h2>\n

Aside from formulary changes, which can occur at any point throughout the year, you can expect to see several changes to your drug coverage plans in 2026.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
Medicare Part D plans 2026 vs. 2025<\/span><\/th>\n<\/tr>\n<\/thead>\n
<\/td>\n2026<\/b><\/td>\n2025<\/b><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Plan availability<\/b><\/td>\nThe average Medicare beneficiary has access to 40\u201344 Medicare plans with Part D coverage, a 22% decrease.<\/span><\/td>\nThe average Medicare beneficiary had access to 48 Medicare plans with Part D drug coverage.<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Monthly premiums<\/b><\/td>\nThe national base premium for stand-alone Part D plans is $38.99.<\/span><\/td>\nThe national base premium for stand-alone Part D plans was $36.78.<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Cost-sharing structure<\/b><\/td>\nThe standard deductible is $615, the initial coverage limit and out-of-pocket threshold is $2,100.<\/span><\/td>\nThe standard deductible was $590, and the out-of-pocket threshold was $2,000.<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Medicare Extra Help\u00a0<\/b><\/td>\nResource limits are $18,090 for single people and $36,100 for married people.<\/span><\/p>\n

Income limits are annual incomes below $23,475 for individuals and $31,725 for married couples.<\/span><\/p>\n

A generic drug costs a maximum of $5.10, and a brand-name drug costs a maximum of $12.65.<\/span><\/td>\n

Resource limits were $17,600 for single people and $35,130 for married people.<\/span><\/p>\n

Income limits were annual incomes below $22,836 for individuals and $30,900 for married couples.<\/span><\/p>\n

Generic drugs cost a maximum of $4.90, brand-name drugs cost a maximum of $12.15.<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n

1. Plan availability<\/span><\/h3>\n

In 2026, the average Medicare consumer will have access to approximately 8\u201312 Medicare Part D stand-alone plans (PDPs) and 32 Medicare Advantage drug plans (MA-PDs), according to <\/span>KFF<\/span><\/a>.<\/span><\/p>\n

2. Monthly premiums<\/span><\/h3>\n

In 2026, there will be higher premiums on average for stand-alone Medicare Part D drug coverage.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

The national base premium is $38.99 for 2026, according to the <\/span>Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services<\/span><\/a>. This is an increase from $36.78 in 2025.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

The average monthly premium for Medicare Advantage plans in 2026 will be $14 per month, compared to $17 in 2025.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Part D premiums vary by plan.<\/span><\/p>\n

3. Cost-sharing structure\u00a0<\/span><\/h3>\n

Cost-sharing<\/span><\/a> is the portion of Medicare costs that you\u2019re required to pay out of your own pocket. This includes deductibles, coinsurance, and copayments. Several changes were made to the cost-sharing structure for 2024.<\/span><\/p>\n

The standard deductible increased by $25 in 2026, from $590 to $615.<\/span><\/p>\n

Initial coverage limits increased by $100, from $2,000 to $2,100. This means that you\u2019ll pay your plan\u2019s copay or coinsurance rate until you and your plan have spent $2,100 on covered drugs.<\/span><\/p>\n

After spending $2,100, you\u2019ll enter the catastrophic coverage stage and will no longer have any cost-sharing for your covered medications.<\/span><\/p>\n

RELATED: <\/b>Important Medicare donut hole update<\/b><\/a><\/p>\n

4. Medicare Extra Help<\/span><\/h3>\n

The Medicare Extra Help program is a low-income subsidy that helps eligible consumers pay for certain Medicare Part D costs. <\/span>The <\/span>income limits<\/span><\/a> for determining Medicare Extra eligibility are the same as they were in 2025, but resource limits have increased:\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n