2026 MEDICARE CHANGES
THINGS YOU NEED TO KNOW... RIGHT NOW. ANNUAL ENROLLMENT ENDS DECEMBER 7, 2025.
THE "ALLOWANCE CARD"
The VBID (Value Based Insurance Design) is over starting January 1, 2026. Here's what Medicare Advantage Members need to know:
The FOOD BENEFIT. This is a part of the Supplemental Benefits for the Chronically Ill program ONLY. You must have a qualifying condition - the list is in the next section.
*** Your doctor will have to verify your chronic condition.
*** If you do not have a qualifying condition, you will ONLY get Over the Counter spending benefits - even if your current plan has grocery spending now, that is GONE in 2026 without a qualifying chronic condition.
Please do not believe you're going to get "1200 a month". It is very possible to get $1200 a year - up to as much as $3,600 a year in grocery, rent, utilities, wellness and safety spending money. IF you have a qualifying condition.
CALL OR TEXT 430.999.2271 FOR AN APPOINTMENT TO REVIEW YOUR OPTIONS.
DRUG Program Changes
2025 Max out of Pocket: $2000
2026 Max out of Pocket: $2100
*** Drug Plan (Part D) costs are going up by as much as 20% or more
*** Drug copays are getting a little more reasonable.
For example, UHC's Preferred plan in Cass County, TX is going from $89 up to $114 for 2026 - but my medications on this plan (as an example) dropped to about $700 for the entire year. And that is pretty good.
go to https://www.uhc.com/medicare/health-plans/plan-summary/75551/067/2026#PDP to compare a couple of plans with your own medication profile.
CALL OR TEXT 430.999.2271 FOR AN APPOINTMENT TO REVIEW YOUR OPTIONS
DROPPED PLANS, CHRONIC PLANS
2.3 MILLION PEOPLE IN THE US ARE LOSING THEIR MEDICARE ADVANTAGE AND MEDICARE SUPPLEMENT PLANS in 2026.
*** Be very sure you aren't one of them - call your carrier to find out if your plan is being dropped. You would have received a Notice of Change in September - if you didn't or you lost it, be sure to call your carrier. Or call me.
CHRONIC Medicare Advantage Plans
These plans have many features of a Medicare/Medicaid Dual Eligible plan - but don't require Medicaid. There are very few in Cass and Bowie counties but there are some.
*** FOOD ALLOWANCE is included but the amounts vary from $35 - $300 depending on your situation.
*** $0 copays on many services - more than a standard plan, but not the complete $0 copay of a Dual.
*** Dental, Vision, Hearing enhanced benefits are possible up to $4000 for dental.
CALL OR TEXT 430.999.2271 FOR AN APPOINTMENT TO REVIEW YOUR OPTIONS
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