What North Carolina Medicare enrollees should expect in 2026

Medicare costs are set to rise in 2026, with higher premiums and fewer prescription drug plans available in North Carolina. Reduced plan transparency could leave some beneficiaries paying more out of pocket if they don’t review their coverage during open enrollment.

by Ashley Fredde
November 13, 2025

As this year’s Medicare open enrollment period proceeds, Medicare beneficiaries in North Carolina are facing a year of higher costs.

Medicare Advantage and traditional Medicare enrollees could see increases in premiums, deductibles and out-of-pocket expenses in 2026, according to data from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services.

The open enrollment period — when beneficiaries can review and change their existing coverage — started on Oct. 15 and will end on Dec. 7. Yet less than 30 percent of Medicare beneficiaries nationwide do a thorough review each year.

These increases could mean hundreds — even thousands — of dollars more in annual health care spending if enrollees don’t review their plans carefully.

Snip...much, much more at the link.

https://www.northcarolinahealthnews.org/2025/11/13/north-carolina-medicare-enrollees-2026/