Medicare 2026

Dec 7 Deadline to Change Medicare Coverage in Lincoln

LINCOLN, Neb. — Starting October 15, people with Medicare across Lancaster County can review, switch, or drop their coverage for the 2027 plan year. The window closes December 7, and any change you make during it takes effect January 1, 2027. It's the one time each fall when nearly every part of your Medicare setup is on the table — and skipping the review can quietly lock you into a plan that no longer fits.

What you can actually do between Oct. 15 and Dec. 7

The Annual Enrollment Period (AEP) is broad. During this window you can:

• Switch from Original Medicare (Parts A and B) to a Medicare Advantage plan, or the other way around.
• Change from one Medicare Advantage plan to another.
• Join, switch, or drop a stand-alone Part D prescription drug plan.
• Add drug coverage if you have Original Medicare and don't have it yet.

You do not need to justify the change. If you enroll in more than one plan during the window, the latest choice wins. Your new coverage begins January 1, 2027.

Why this fall's review matters more than most

Two federal changes make 2027 a year worth double-checking your drug coverage in particular.

First, the Part D out-of-pocket cap is set at $2,400 for 2027 (up from $2,100 in 2026). Once your covered drug spending reaches that amount, you pay nothing for covered drugs the rest of the year. Second, the old "donut hole" coverage gap was eliminated in 2025, so Part D now has three simpler phases: deductible, initial coverage, and catastrophic.

You can also opt in to the Medicare Prescription Payment Plan, which spreads your out-of-pocket drug costs across monthly payments instead of paying the full amount at the pharmacy counter. It doesn't lower what you owe overall — it just smooths the timing.

Higher earners should also check IRMAA. In 2026, income-related surcharges on Part B and Part D premiums begin above $109,000 for a single filer (and above $218,000 for a couple filing jointly), based on your 2024 tax return.

A quick Lincoln snapshot

Lincoln sits in Lancaster County, and Medicare plan availability is set at the county level. That means the menu of Medicare Advantage and Part D plans you'll see when you shop is the same whether you live near the Haymarket, in Belmont, or out toward Waverly. A neighbor a few blocks over sees the same options you do.

Because plan lineups, formularies, and pharmacy networks shift every year, even a plan you've been happy with can look different in 2026. The Annual Notice of Change (ANOC) your plan mailed in September is the document that spells out what's changing — pull it out before you shop.

How to compare plans without getting overwhelmed

A short checklist keeps the process manageable:

1. List your medications, including dose and frequency. 2. List your doctors and preferred pharmacies, including any Lincoln-area specialists. 3. Go to medicare.gov/plan-compare and enter your ZIP code and drug list. The tool will show you which plans cover your drugs and at what tier. 4. Check the pharmacy network, since the same drug can cost different amounts at different pharmacies within the same plan. 5. Look at the total picture — premium, deductible, drug costs, and any medical copays — not just one number.

If you use Original Medicare with a Medigap (Medicare Supplement) policy, note that Medigap has its own rules and is not part of the AEP switching window in the same way. A SHIIP counselor can walk you through the differences.

Where Lincoln residents can get free, unbiased help

You don't have to figure this out alone, and you don't have to talk to a salesperson to get answers.

• Nebraska SHIIP (Senior Health Insurance Information Program) offers free, one-on-one counseling. Call 1-800-234-7119.
• Medicare.gov has the official Plan Finder and a full explanation of enrollment periods.
• 1-800-MEDICARE (1-800-633-4227) is staffed 24/7.
• Aging Partners in Lincoln can connect you with local resources for older adults.