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More than half (55%) of eligible Medicare beneficiaries are enrolled in Medicare Advantage in 2026. To better understand trends in the growth of the Medicare Advantage program, this brief provides current information about enrollment, including by plan type and firm
If you are eligible for Medicare, your initial enrollment period for Part A and Part B begins three months before the month of your 65th birthday and ends three months after it. For example, if your 65th birthday is in June, your enrollment period will extend from March 1 through September 30. If you join during one of the 3 months before you turn 65, coverage will begin the first day of the month you…
If your current Medicare Advantage plan is not being offered next year and you do not choose another plan, you will be enrolled by default in traditional Medicare. In this case, if you do not receive Extra Help with your Part D drug costs, then you will need to select a Part D prescription drug plan (PDP) if you want Medicare drug coverage, unless you have drug coverage from another source of coverage (for example,…
Yes, you are eligible to purchase coverage through the Marketplace, and if your income is between at least 100% of poverty (for buying Marketplace coverage in 2026, that means an income of $15,650 for an individual) you will qualify for premium tax credits to help make Marketplace coverage more affordable. If you live in a state that has expanded its Medicaid program to cover adults under age 65 with incomes up to 138% of poverty…
At a time when kitchen table economic problems are on voters’ minds, unexpected medical bills and health care costs top the public’s list of financial concerns, and voters who are struggling to pay their monthly bills are the most eager to hear the presidential candidates talk about economic and health care issues, the latest KFF Health Tracking Poll finds. Nearly 3 in 4 adults say they are worried about being able to afford unexpected medical…
Semaglutide…has been selected for the second round of Medicare drug price negotiation…Many people are familiar with Ozempic and other drugs like it, use of these drugs has expanded rapidly in recent years, and the list price is high. All of that could focus more attention on this year’s drug price negotiation process….
This data note analyzes five national surveys to assess trends in retiree health coverage among people ages 65 and older. These five surveys produce somewhat different estimates of retiree health coverage, but together paint a clear picture: the share of Medicare-age adults with employer- or union-sponsored retiree health coverage has been shrinking and appears to be on the way to extinction.
Yes. Many insurers that offer plans through the ACA Marketplace also offer identical plans outside of the Marketplace that meet all ACA standards, although premium tax credits and cost-sharing subsidies are not available for plans sold outside of the Marketplace. Some people prefer to buy health insurance outside of the Marketplace when they are sure they won’t qualify for financial assistance. Like health insurance plans sold on the Marketplace, “ACA-compliant” plans sold outside of the…
This brief describes current state fiscal conditions as states begin fiscal year 2027 budget debates and highlights key areas to watch for Medicaid policy changes as states respond to fiscal challenges and the 2025 reconciliation law.
On July 4, President Trump signed the budget reconciliation bill, previously known as the “One Big Beautiful Bill Act,” into law. This summary provides background, description, budgetary impact and related information on the health care provisions of the law in four categories: Medicaid, the Affordable Care Act, Medicare and Health Savings Accounts (HSAs).
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