Ethel Rasmussen, host of the Baltimore County Department of Aging’s Time of Your Life, interviewed Allison McMichael Dull of the local State Health Insurance Assistance Program (SHIP) about Medicare open enrollment and program changes that will affect beneficiaries in 2026.

Dull said beneficiaries should act now: “We are currently halfway through Part D open enrollment. We are actually gonna be ending the season on December 7,” and added that new plan choices will take effect Jan. 1. She urged viewers to make counseling appointments with SHIP and to bring a photo ID, Medicare card, medication list, any current prescription drug card and their medicare.gov login to appointments.

Why this matters: SHIP counselors help beneficiaries compare plans and avoid coverage gaps or unexpected costs. Dull warned that several commonly checked figures will change for 2026, including premiums, deductibles and catastrophic out‑of‑pocket thresholds, so a plan that was right last year may not be this year.

Eligibility and enrollment windows

Dull described who is eligible and the timing for enrollment. She said those turning 65 or those receiving Social Security for up to 24 months qualify for Medicare. She defined the Initial Enrollment Period (IEP) as seven months — three months before the beneficiary’s 65th birthday, the month they turn 65, and the three months after — and noted that people who miss that window may enroll during the General Enrollment Period (Jan. 1–Mar. 31) but could face penalties.

Original Medicare vs. Medicare Advantage

Dull explained the basic difference between Original Medicare (Parts A and B) and Medicare Advantage (Part C). “Original Medicare is Parts A and B … You can go to any doctor or hospital in the United States that accepts Medicare,” she said, adding that Original Medicare generally does not include routine dental, vision or hearing and does not have an out‑of‑pocket maximum.

By contrast, Medicare Advantage plans are offered by private insurers and typically bundle hospital, medical and often prescription coverage with extra benefits such as dental or transportation. Dull cautioned that Advantage plans usually require use of an in‑network provider and that costs and benefits can change from year to year, so enrollees should review plan details annually.

Part B ‘give back’ and advertisements

Addressing television ads that promise money back or low copays, Dull said the ads often refer to a Part B premium rebate — sometimes called a give‑back — offered by some Medicare Advantage plans. She explained that the plan pays part of the Part B premium on the enrollee’s behalf, which can result in a larger Social Security check for the beneficiary, but advised viewers to examine overall plan costs and network restrictions rather than rely solely on advertised rebates.

Notable 2026 changes

Dull highlighted specific figures beneficiaries should check when comparing plans for 2026, attributing the figures to SHIP’s 2026 plan summaries: an estimated average increase of about 5.06% in Medicare Advantage premiums; a Part B premium of about $206.50 for 2026; a Part B deductible rising to $288; a Part D deductible increasing to $610; and the catastrophic out‑of‑pocket threshold moving from $2,000 (2025) to $2,100 (2026). She also said some insurers are restructuring plan offerings for 2026, including changes by Kaiser and Hopkins.

Prescription assistance and Medicare savings programs

Dull noted changes to Medicare savings and assistance: Extra Help copays will be approximately $5.10 for generics and $12.65 for brand‑name drugs, and the Maryland Senior Prescription Drug Assistance Program’s premium support was expected to rise from $75 in 2025 to about $100 in 2026.

How to get counseling and resources

To make a SHIP appointment, Dull gave the counseling phone number: (410) 887‑2059, and said counselors can meet in person. “When you come to your appointment, it’s really important that you bring your ID, your medication list with you, your Medicare card, and if you do have your prescription drug plan, it’s really helpful if you bring that card as well,” she said, and recommended bringing a medicare.gov login to facilitate plan lookups.

SHIP also posts short ‘Medicare Minutes’ videos — five to 30 minutes — on the Baltimore County Department of Aging YouTube channel each month for deeper dives into topics such as Medigap, durable medical equipment and open enrollment rules.

What’s next: Dull encouraged eligible residents to review plans and contact SHIP before the Dec. 7 Part D enrollment deadline so any new plan will be active on Jan. 1. The segment concluded with a reminder that SHIP provides objective, no‑cost counseling to help beneficiaries compare options.