Delaware Medicare Assistance Bureau Winter 2026 Newsletter: 2026 Costs and Enrollment Periods

Medicare News

Winter 2026 Delaware Medicare Assistance Bureau "DMAB" Delaware Senate Bill (SB) 71 State Health Insurance Assistance program "SHIP" 1351 W. North Street, Suite 101 Trinidad Navarro, Insurance Commissioner Medicare Supplement Birthday Rule Dover, DE 19904 302-674-7364

Medicare Part A (Hospital Insurance)

Beneficiary pays:

• Hospital Deductible: o $1,736 per benefit period • Hospital Copayments (per benefit period): o Days 1-60: $0 per day o Days 61-90: $434 per day o Days 91-150 (Lifetime Reserve Days): $868 per day • Skilled Nursing Facility (SNF) Copayment: o $217.00 per day for days 21-100 • Part A Premiums: o $565 per month for individuals with fewer than 30 quarters of Medicare-covered employment o $311 per month for individuals with 30-39 quarters of Medicare-covered employment

o (Most people qualify for premium-free Part A with 40 or more quarters.)

Medicare Part B (Medical Insurance)

Beneficiary pays:

• Part B Monthly Premium: o $202.90 per month, or higher depending on income (IRMAA) • Annual Part B Deductible: o $283.00 • Coinsurance:
• After the deductible is met, beneficiaries typically pay 20% of the Medicare-approved amount for most: ▪ Doctor services (including most services received while hospitalized as an inpatient)
• Outpatient therapy ▪ Durable Medical Equipment (DME)

Medicare Part A & Part B Costs (Beneficiary Responsibility) 2026 Medicare Costs

Medicare Advantage Open Enrollment Period

January 1 - March 31 This period applies only to individuals who are already enrolled in a Medicare Advantage (Part C) plan. During this time, you may make one change only. Any change will take effect on the first day of the month after the plan receives your request. You can:

• Switch to another Medicare Advantage plan (with or without prescription drug coverage). • Drop your Medicare Advantage plan and return to Original Medicare (Parts A & B). o If you do this, you may also enroll in a Medicare Part D prescription drug plan.
  You cannot:

• Switch from Original Medicare to a Medicare Advantage plan. • Enroll in a Medicare Part D prescription drug plan if you are in Original Medicare and were not already enrolled. • Switch from one Medicare Part D prescription drug plan to another if you are in Original Medicare.

General Enrollment Period

January 1 - March 31 A person can sign up for Medicare Part A and/or Part B during this period each year if both of the following apply:

• They didn't sign up when they were first eligible, and • They aren't eligible for a Special Enrollment Period (SEP).
  Coverage begins on the first day of the month after they apply. 󽁔󽁕󽁖 Important: They may have to pay:

• A higher premium for Part A due to late enrollment (if applicable), and/or • A higher premium for Part B due to late enrollment.

Medicare Reminders

Never click links or call numbers from Contact the company directly using Do not share personal or payment Report suspicious messages to your

others within your community with questions regarding Medicare? Be careful when you get texts with links, especially ones that ask for payment. DMAB, is looking for volunteers. Stay safe and protect your finances: Free Medicare training for volunteers! No experience necessary. Are you interested in helping 302-674-7364 unexpected texts. DMAB@delaware.gov the number on your bill or their official Tired of waiting for your Medicare claims website. The Delaware Medicare Assistance Bureau, statements? Sign-up to get them electronically! information through text. Getting your Medicare Summary notices (MSNs) electronically lets you track your phone carrier or the Delaware Senior official claims and costs sooner. Get Medicare Patrol "SMP" at started at www.medicare.gov/account. 1-800-223-9074.