New York, NY—Medicare Open Enrollment runs from October 15 to December 7, giving people with Medicare the opportunity to make unrestricted changes to their Medicare coverage for 2026. During this period, beneficiaries can:
- Switch between Original Medicare and Medicare Advantage
- Change Medicare Advantage plans
- Add or switch a Part D prescription drug plan or Medigap policy
To support reporters covering this important topic, the Medicare Rights Center (Medicare Rights) has released an updated resource, Medicare Open Enrollment: A Resource for Journalists.
The guide provides:
- An overview of key changes for 2026
- Coverage considerations and expert analysis
- Story ideas and timely questions to inform reporting
- A list of Medicare Rights staff experts available for media interviews
Notable Medicare updates for 2026 include:
- Prescription drug savings. Beginning in 2026, price negotiations under the Inflation Reduction Act of 2022 will lower costs for 10 high-cost drugs. This is expected to simplify plan comparisons for people who take these drugs.
- Part D premiums. The national base premium in 2026 will increase to $38.99 per month, though actual costs may vary by plan and region. (Premiums for Parts A and B will be announced later this year.)
- Enhanced Medicare Plan Finder. The updated tool now allows beneficiaries to search by provider, review directory information, and compare more detailed supplementary benefit information.
The complete Medicare Open Enrollment: A Resource for Journalists guide is available at fresh.medicarerights.org/pdf/fall-open-enrollment-resource-for-journalists.pdf.
A consumer version of this resource will also be available on Medicare Interactive, a free and independent online reference tool developed by the Medicare Rights Center.
