7. Medicare & Part D changes that ripple into broader coverage

If you or someone you support is on Medicare, some specific 2026 changes include:

The cap for Part D prescription drug out-of-pocket costs is set to rise to ~$2,100 in 2026.

New automatic re-enrollment rules for the Medicare Prescription Payment Plan (MPPP).

Why this matters: Even if you’re not directly on Medicare, rising costs and regulatory shifts often lead to cost pressures elsewhere in the health-system — which ultimately impact private insurance.

Tip: If you’re a Medicare enrollee or helping someone who is, review Annual Notice of Change (ANOC) documents early for 2026.