Your Medicare Bill Is About to Climb—What the 2026 Increases Mean and How to Protect Your Budget

Title: Your Medicare Bill Is About to Climb—What the 2026 Increases Mean and How to Protect Your Budget

Article Snip: "...The biggest premium increase in years is coming—here's exactly what changes and how to save money...Part B, which covers outpatient services, home health services and medical equipment, is expected to go jump from an average cost of $185 a month to $206 per month—a 12 percent increase that could change based on one’s income. (The increase from 2024 to 2025 was half that, at 6 percent.) For Part D—the service that helps cover prescriptions—monthly premiums will jump up from $35 to $50 for people using it with other Medicare plans. That increase is significant for older adults who rely on the coverage to get the medications they need."

Reference: www.womansworld.com
Medicare part B, Medicare Inflation (2026), 2026 Medicare's Insane Price Increases,Medicare Part D,Medicare Part D vs. PSHB Part D Employer Group Waiver Plan (EGWP),Retirees Being Bankrupted By Medicare,

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What happens if a PSHB employee covered by EGWP signs up for Medicare Part D?

Title: What happens if a PSHB employee covered by EGWP signs up for Medicare Part D?

Article Snip: "If a PSHB employee covered by an Employer Group Waiver Plan (EGWP) signs up for a separate Medicare Part D plan, they are essentially double-paying for prescription drug coverage, as their EGWP through PSHB already provides that coverage; they should contact their PSHB plan to potentially opt out of the EGWP and enroll in their chosen Part D plan instead, but be aware that doing so could result in a gap in coverage and potential late enrollment penalties depending on their situation.
Key points to remember:

Redundant coverage:
When a PSHB employee is already covered by the EGWP, enrolling in a separate Part D plan means they are paying for prescription drug coverage twice.

Opting out of EGWP:
If a PSHB employee wants to switch to a different Part D plan, they should contact their PSHB plan to properly opt out of the EGWP and enroll in their chosen plan.
Potential penalties:
Depending on the circumstances, opting out of the EGWP without enrolling in another Part D plan could lead to a late enrollment penalty when they try to enroll later.

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Reference: AI Generated Referencing OPM.GOV
Medicare Part D,Medicare Part D vs. PSHB Part D Employer Group Waiver Plan (EGWP),EGWP,

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Problems with Medicare Advantage Plans Keep Mounting

Title: Problems with Medicare Advantage Plans Keep Mounting

Article Snip: "...Complaints and problems with Medicare Advantage include denial of service and slow care approvals. Consumers need to pay attention. ... People tend to like their Medicare Advantage plans — until they don’t. ...

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MA faces mounting criticism for denying and delaying some needed care while costing taxpayers billions more than government-run, so-called fee-for-service, traditional Medicare. ... The reasons for Medicare Advantage’s expanding popularity are readily apparent: lower costs for individuals, simpler selections and extras, such as dental and vision coverage and even gym memberships, not provided by traditional Medicare. ..."

Reference: www.kiplinger.com
Compare Original Medicare & Medicare Advantage,Why do doctors not like Medicare Advantage plans?,Medicare Part D vs. PSHB Part D Employer Group Waiver Plan (EGWP),

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Is Medicare Part D better for postal a retiree than PSHB Part D Employer Group Waiver Plan (EGWP)?

Title: Is Medicare Part D better for a postal retiree than PSHB Part D Employer Group Waiver Plan (EGWP)?

Article Snip: "...For many retirees, Medicare Part D can be considered better than a PSHB Part D EGWP because it often offers more flexibility in plan selection, wider drug coverage options, and may have lower out-of-pocket costs due to broader access to the Medicare Part D marketplace, while the EGWP might be more limited in its drug formulary and could potentially cost more for certain medications depending on individual needs; additionally, opting out of the EGWP may result in losing prescription drug coverage altogether while still paying the same premium. ... However, it's important to compare plans carefully before making a decision:

Review your medication needs:

Analyze which medications you take regularly and compare their coverage and costs under both the PSHB EGWP and available Medicare Part D plans."

Reference: AI Generated

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