Outsmarting the Cost of Long-Term Care

The Medicare Piece: Prescription Drug Coverage Deep Dive: What’s Changing in 2026


Listen Later

In this episode I break down what really changes for Medicare Part D in 2026—how the three coverage phases work now, what the new annual cap means at the pharmacy, how the “smoothing” monthly payment option works, and what to know about Medicare’s first negotiated drug prices (MFPs). I keep it plain-English and action-focused so you can make confident choices during AEP.

What you’ll learn

  • The 3 coverage phases in 2026 (deductible → initial coverage → $0 after you hit the annual cap)
  • How “smoothing” turns big counter costs into a predictable monthly bill
  • Negotiated Maximum Fair Prices (MFPs): what they are and which drugs are affected first
  • A simple explanation of True Out-of-Pocket (TrOOP) and why it matters
  • How to avoid common surprises (and where to double-check your own plan details)

Links mentioned

• Book a “What Medicare Doesn’t Cover” session: https://calendly.com/churst-2/ltc-facility-solutions-clone

• Download my free guide “10 Medicare Mistakes That Could Cost You Thousands”: https://echofc.com/mistakes

...more
View all episodesView all episodes
Download on the App Store

Outsmarting the Cost of Long-Term CareBy Charisse Hurst