Question from Mark: In your last two columns, you addressed changes in Advantage Plans for 2026. What about those on Medicare Supplements? Are there going to be changes for us as well? 

Answer: Supplements are regulated so there can never be any changes in coverage or out of pocket costs from year to year, with the exception of a small increase in the Part B deductible. One of the most attractive aspects of Supplements is those who choose them get peace of mind knowing that both today, and in the years to come, they will never receive any large bills if they get sick and need lots of medical care. 

We recommend Plans G and N to all of our clients who prefer Supplements. The only out of pocket medical costs those on Plan G can incur is the Part B deductible, which is expected to be around $285 in 2026. Those on Plan N are also responsible for the same deductible plus $20 for a primary care or specialist office visit, and $50 at the Emergency Room. That’s it.

Those who have Plan G in 10, 15, or 20 years from now will still only be responsible for the Part B deductible and nothing else. They can never have any other out-of-pocket costs added in future years. Those N will also have the same $20 and $50 co-pays as long as they have the policy. Those can never be increased, nor can there ever be any new co-pays added for other services. That’s the law, and it does not vary from company to company. 

How Advantage Plans differ

As I wrote about in last week’s column, Advantage Plans can have both premium hikes as well as increases in co-pays and out of pocket medical and prescription costs from year to year. The ancillary benefits, aka “extras,” that have made HMOs and PPOs so popular, can also be reduced.

Premiums and hospital co-pays are going up on many HMOs and PPOs in 2026, as well as deductibles and costs for Tier 3 through 5 medications. Although I don’t consider the 2026 changes drastic, some, especially the increased drug costs, as much as $1,000 or more, are going to be significant for many people.

I also anticipate Advantage Plans will slowly continue to increase premiums, co-pays, and the Maximum Out of Pocket (MOOP) while decreasing the extras over the next few years. 

I encourage those on Advantage Plans who are relatively healthy to set up an appointment to go over the pros and cons of moving to a Supplement this Annual Election Period (AEP). Be advised that moving from an Advantage Plan to a Supplement can only be done while in relatively good overall health because Supplements can discriminate on who they accept based on current and previous health conditions. You can’t wait until you get sick, and the bills start coming in, to switch from an Advantage Plan to Supplement. 

Those on Supplements still need to be proactive

Because there are no changes in Supplement benefits doesn’t mean those who have them shouldn’t be proactive each year. 

One of the negatives of Supplements is not only do they cost more than the most popular Advantage Plans, but they also go up in price as one gets older. There have been historically large increases on many Supplement company premiums in Western Pennsylvania over the last two years. 

Therefore, anyone who has been on a Supplement three years or longer should reach out to inquire about getting the same letter plan they have now at a lower premium, or moving from Plans C, F, or G, to N. 

It can be shocking how much difference costs can be. $1,000 on the same letter plan with a different company, $2,000 or more moving from G to N, and as much as $4,000 per year moving from Plans C or F to G or N! 

In addition to shopping prices, people on Supplements usually need to research Part D prescription drug plans each AEP. We inform all our Supplement clients prior to the start of AEP if they should stay on their current drug plan or send us a list of current medications so we can research if another will be more cost effective for the following year. I estimate over 50% of those on Supplements are overpaying for Part D policies. 

Lastly, those who have Supplements that have risen to over $250 to $300 per month, and can’t move to another company or letter plan due to their health issues, may want to consider a change to an Advantage Plan. It’s not the right move for everyone who has a Supplement that has become expensive, however, and unfortunately, most agents can’t be trusted to give that advice. Reach out to us to have your choices evaluated. We will always provide an unbiased recommendation that’s based on what’s in your best interest, not what pays the most commission. 

If you would have any questions, would like to talk about moving to a new Supplement plan or company, get a quote, have us review you Part D, or want to make an appointment for AEP, give us a call, 724-603-3403 or email me personally, Aaron@GetYourBestPlan.com.