Are Your Medicare Premiums Going Up? Here's How to Save.
Everything seems to be getting more expensive nowadays. That includes premiums for Medicare Part D, Medigap, and even some Medicare Advantage (MA) plans. Learning how to lower Medicare costs with a $0 or low premium Medicare Advantage Plan can help you get a handle on rising expenses.
- Premiums for Part D, Medigap, and some Medicare Advantage plans may rise in 2026.
- Medicare Advantage plans offer an all-in-one solution to help manage rising costs.
- Clover Health offers $0 premium PPO plans with flexibility, to see doctors you trust while saving money.
How Much Will Medicare Cost in 2026?
Premiums are on average going up for three of the most common Medicare plan types. .Your specific plan premiums may not have increased in 2026. Medicare Advantage premiums are stable throughout the year. However, Medicare Supplement premium increases align with your enrollment anniversary which occurs throughout the year.
Part D
If you have Original Medicare, you’ll need a separate Part D plan for your medications. The national base premium for a basic Part D plan is expected to increase in 2026 to $38.99 per month.* That’s an increase from the previous year, and it’s a cost you can often avoid with a Medicare Advantage Plan, which can include prescription drug coverage.
Medigap or Medicare Supplement Insurance
If you have a Medigap plan, you might be seeing higher prices, too. These plans, which help cover the costs that Original Medicare doesn't, are getting more expensive. In fact, premiums for popular plans like Plan G and Plan N are projected to increase by a lot in 2026—some estimates show an average jump of 8-12%†. If your Medigap plan's cost is going up, you're not alone. Many people are realizing that these plans may no longer be the best fit for their budget.
Medicare Advantage
Even though people with an MA plan can pay a low or $0 premium, some of these plan premiums are also increasing. It's a good idea to check your current plan each year to make sure you're still getting the best deal.
Saving with the All-in-One Solution: Medicare Advantage
A Medicare Advantage plan (also called Part C) can be a great way to save money and get more benefits.
Benefits of Switching to Part C
Instead of having a separate plan for your prescription drugs (Part D) combined with Original Medicare, many Medicare Advantage plans put it all together in one simple plan.
- Consolidated Coverage: Combines hospital, medical, and often drug coverage.
- Better Cost Management: Many provide copays instead of coinsurance for popular health visits.
- Financial Protection: Includes a maximum-out-of-pocket to help manage costs relative to Original Medicare.
- $0 Premiums: Many MA plans come with a $0 monthly premium.
This can save you a lot of money, especially if both your Part D or and Medigap plan premiums are going up. Just remember, with any Medicare Advantage plan, you still have to pay your Part B premium to Medicare. There are many Medicare Advantage plans that have a Part B Giveback to help pay for this monthly expense. The Part B Giveback benefit is another way an Advantage plan can keep more money in your pocket.
Medicare Plan Flexibility Is Important
When you're looking for a new plan, you want to be sure you can see the doctors you trust. That's where PPO plans come in. A Preferred Provider Organization (PPO) plan gives you the freedom to choose your doctors, even if they aren't in the plan's network.
Plans like Clover Health offer $0 to low premium PPO plans, so you don't have to give up flexibility to save money. This means you get the best of both worlds: a plan that costs you nothing to low for your monthly plan premium, with the freedom to see more doctors.
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Better Care is Less Expensive
Get extra benefits and a more personal healthcare experience with $0 or low monthly costs. As a Medicare Advantage Plan, Clover Health focuses on preventive care and helps you stay on track with your medications and treatments. This can help avoid more serious and costly health problems later.
The Clover Health Advantage
At Clover Health we want to give you the freedom with your healthcare. That’s why you don’t need a referral to see the doctor you want with a Clover Health Medicare Advantage plan. We've highlighted some of the great benefits you can find with our PPO plans in each state below.
New Jersey | The Clover Health Choice Giveback PPO (054) Plan
- $0 Monthly plan premium
- $110 Part B Giveback (monthly)
- $0 Primary Care visit
- $50 Quarterly OTC allowance
- $1000 Dental allowance
- $200 Eyewear allowance
- Routine dental, hearing, and vision
- Up to $400 LiveHealthy reward dollars‡
- $0 Tier 1 Part D prescription drug (30 day retail)
- Plus, so much more!
Georgia and South Carolina | The Clover Health Livehealthy Giveback PPO (063) Plan
- $0 Monthly plan premium
- $105 Part B Giveback (monthly)
- $0 In-network Primary Care visit
- $50 Quarterly OTC allowance dollars
- $150 Eyewear allowance
- Routine dental, hearing, and vision
- Up to $400 LiveHealthy Rewards‡
- $0 Tier 1 Part D prescription drug (30 day retail)
- Plus, so much more!
Texas | The Clover Health Choice PPO (025) Plan
- $0 Monthly plan premium
- $0 Primary Care visit
- $60 Quarterly OTC allowance
- $200 Eyewear allowance dollars
- Routine dental, hearing, and vision
- Up to $400 LiveHealthy Rewards‡
- $0 Tier 1 Part D prescription drug (30 day retail)
- Plus, so much more!
Pennsylvania | The Clover Health Choice PPO (038) Plan
- $0 Monthly plan premium
- $0 Primary Care visit
- $115 Quarterly OTC allowance
- $1,500 Dental allowance
- $250 Eyewear allowance
- Routine dental, hearing, and vision
- Up to $400 LiveHealthy reward dollars‡
- $0 Tier 1 Part D prescription drug (30 day retail)
- Plus, so much more!
See what a Clover Health Medicare Advantage Plan in New Jersey, Georgia, Texas, South Carolina, and Pennsylvania has to offer: Click here to learn more!
About the Author
The Clover Health Editorial Team creates easy-to-understand Medicare content to help people learn about their coverage and options. Our articles are written and reviewed by licensed insurance experts, healthcare writers, and Clover's clinical specialists. Every article is checked for accuracy, clarity, and CMS compliance.
Sources:
- *CMS. “2025 Annual Report of the Boards of Trustees of the Federal Hospital Insurance and Federal Supplementary Medical Insurance Trust Funds.” Page 204
- † Link
‡LiveHealthy reward dollars may not be used to purchase alcohol, tobacco products, or firearms. Not redeemable for cash. Other limitations may apply; please call Clover for details.
Clover Health is a Preferred Provider Organization (PPO) and a Health Maintenance Organization (HMO) with a Medicare contract. Enrollment in Clover Health depends on contract renewal.
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