Part A deductibles, Part B premiums, and out-of-pocket maximums all changed for 2026. Here's the complete breakdown agents need for annual reviews and client…
TL;DR
2026 CMS Medicare costs increased across most categories: Part A deductible rose $86 to $1,762, Part B premium increased $10.60 to $195.60/month, and Part D deductible rose $25 to $615. Agents who proactively communicate these changes retain 23% more clients.
Every year, CMS publishes updated Medicare cost figures that directly impact your clients' wallets. For 2026, several key numbers changed — and your clients are counting on you to explain what it means for them.
This is not just a compliance issue. Agents who proactively communicate CMS cost changes retain 23% more clients than those who wait for clients to ask.
2026 Medicare Cost Changes at a Glance
Part A (Hospital Insurance)
Cost Component — 2025 — 2026 — Change
Part A Deductible — $1,676 — $1,762 — +$86
Days 1-60 Coinsurance — $0 — $0 — No change
Days 61-90 Coinsurance — $419/day — $441/day — +$22/day
Lifetime Reserve Days — $838/day — $882/day — +$44/day
SNF Coinsurance (Days 21-100) — $209.50/day — $220.50/day — +$11/day
Part B (Medical Insurance)
Cost Component — 2025 — 2026 — Change
Standard Monthly Premium — $185.00 — $195.60 — +$10.60
Annual Deductible — $257 — $271 — +$14
IRMAA Threshold (Single) — $106,000 — $108,000 — +$2,000
Part D (Prescription Drug)
Cost Component — 2025 — 2026 — Change
Maximum Annual Out-of-Pocket — $2,000 — $2,000 — No change
Standard Deductible — $590 — $615 — +$25
Why These Numbers Matter for Annual Reviews
When you sit down with a Medicare client for an annual review, the first question is always: "Am I paying more this year?" Now you have the answer — and it's yes for most components.
The Annual Review Script
Here's how top agents use these numbers:
- Open with the comparison: "Mrs. Johnson, I want to show you exactly how Medicare costs changed this year and what it means for your specific situation."
- Show the year-over-year table: Use the Annual Review PDF from your CRM — it automatically pulls the latest CMS figures and compares them side by side.
- Highlight the gap: "Your Part B premium went up $10.60/month — that's $127.20 more per year. Let's make sure your current plan still makes sense."
- Identify coverage gaps: The CRM flags missing Dental, Vision, Hospital Indemnity, and other ancillary coverage automatically.
- Present solutions: Recommend plan changes, supplemental coverage, or ancillary products based on the gaps identified.
How unLocked CRM Automates This
The Annual Review system in unLocked CRM pulls these CMS figures automatically and generates a professional, client-ready PDF report featuring:
- Year-over-year cost comparison using official 2026 CMS data
- Coverage gap identification across Life, Health, Dental, Vision, Disability, and LTC
- Renewal urgency tracking with color-coded indicators
- Family Financial Impact integration from Family Trees — showing the household-level picture
Instead of manually looking up CMS cost tables and building comparison spreadsheets, agents generate a complete Annual Review PDF in under 60 seconds.
Key Dates for 2026
- January 1: New CMS cost figures take effect
- March 31: Medicare Advantage Open Enrollment Period ends
- October 15 - December 7: Annual Enrollment Period (AEP)
- Year-round: Medicare Supplement (Medigap) guaranteed issue varies by state
The Bottom Line
CMS cost changes are not just numbers — they are conversation starters. Every premium increase is a reason to call your client. Every deductible change is an opportunity to review coverage. The agents who master this data and communicate it proactively are the ones who retain 90%+ of their book.
FAQ
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