IRMAA is a surcharge that some Medicare enrollees must pay in addition to regular Medicare Part B and Part D premiums. The surcharge is based on your Modified Adjusted Gross Income (MAGI) from two years ago. In other words, your 2026 IRMAA liability is based on your MAGI from 2024.

Medicare Part D and Medicare Advantage are undergoing some of their most consequential shifts in years, and the 2025 plan year is where many of those changes crystallize. I focus here on four developments that will shape what coverage looks like for beneficiaries weighing drug and Advantage options during upcoming enrollment periods.

The negotiated prices are a result of a program passed by Congress in 2022 as part of the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA). The measure lowers prescription drug costs for seniors by empowering Medicare to negotiate the cost of prescription drugs. The negotiated prices include:

The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services Nov. 25 issued a proposed rule for policies governing the Medicare Advantage and Part D programs for 2027.

Smart Medigap Plans, a Texas-based Medicare insurance agency, has expanded its service offerings to address the increasing demand for personalized Medicare guidance as approximately 10,000 Americans become eligible for Medicare daily nationwide.

The rapidly rising premium for Part B, which covers retirees’ outpatient services, reflects the fast pace of growth for health care costs nationally.

Choosing between Medicare Advantage and Original Medicare is a huge decision. We compare costs, doctor networks, and extra benefits to help you decide what's best for 2026.

Medicare Advantage plans are increasingly popular for their affordable premiums and extra benefits, but they have restrictions on care and can change frequently.