Medicare can be complicated, especially if you are a new enrollee or someone checking their plan during the Medicare open enrollment period, which is October 15 to December 7 annually.
It’s important to understand what benefits you will receive so you can decide if you want prescription drug coverage, an Advantage plan, or additional coverage through Medigap. Staying up-to-date about changes to Medicare taking effect in 2026 will help you select the best plan when the time comes.
The 2026 version of the “Medicare & You” handbook will be out in September; you can still download a PDF copy of the 2025 edition. The publication has a rundown of Medicare benefits, health and drug plans, your rights and protections, and answers to the most frequently asked questions about Medicare.
This post originally appeared at Kiplinger.