{"id":45534,"date":"2025-10-13T11:38:03","date_gmt":"2025-10-13T11:38:03","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/isafespend.com\/?p=45534"},"modified":"2025-10-13T11:38:04","modified_gmt":"2025-10-13T11:38:04","slug":"take-a-peek-at-your-2026-part-d-drug-plans","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/isafespend.com\/?p=45534","title":{"rendered":"Take A Peek At Your 2026 Part D Drug Plans"},"content":{"rendered":"
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On October 1, the 2026 information for Medicare Part D drug and Medicare Advantage plans went live. Past experience has taught me it is too early to dig into drug costs, coverage, and star ratings. Besides, the Open Enrollment Period does not start officially until October 15. <\/p>\n

However, there is enough information available about plan numbers and premiums, two very important elements, to get a glimpse of what\u2019s to come. (A preliminary look brings to mind the childhood game of fruit basket upset.) Plans and premiums have flipped and changed. <\/p>\n

This will be the fourth year I am zeroing in on three ZIP codes: one each in Los Angeles, Fort Lauderdale, and a Milwaukee suburb, to check what\u2019s happening with cost and coverage. Here is a first glimpse of the changes that will have an impact on beneficiaries all over the country. This review is not a scientific study. It is observational, with the a goal of getting drug plan members to pay attention to the changes.<\/p>\n

The number of stand-alone Part D drug plans will drop again in 2026. <\/em><\/h2>\n

In 2023, there were 26 plans in Los Angeles and 23 each in Milwaukee and Fort Lauderdale. Every year since then, the number of plans declined. Heading into 2026, every city will lose four more so Los Angeles will have 12 plans and Milwaukee and Fort Lauderdale, ten each. Those numbers represent about a 45% decrease in available plans over the last three years. <\/p>\n

Some plans are leaving the market. <\/em><\/h2>\n

Anthem announced last month that it was exiting the Part D market entirely. That change will affect Part D members in at least 13 states. There are a few plans for other insurers here and there that won\u2019t be around next year. <\/p>\n

There does not appear to be any rhyme or reason to the changes in premiums. <\/em><\/h2>\n