What changed for 2026 — the veteran's edition
What changed for 2026: the Part B premium rose to $202.90 with a $283 deductible, the Part A deductible hit $1,736, the Part D cap reset at $2,100, the MA out-of-pocket maximum dropped to $9,250, TRICARE pharmacy copays increased January 1, and VA inpatient copays moved with the Part A deductible.
Medicare's 2026 numbers
| Item | 2026 | What it means for you |
|---|---|---|
| Part B standard premium | $202.90/mo | The effective price of TFL and CHAMPVA; IRMAA tiers run $284.10–$689.90 (brackets) |
| Part B deductible | $283 | Absorbed by wraparounds for covered services |
| Part A deductible | $1,736 | Per benefit period — and the peg for VA's PG8 inpatient copay |
| Part D out-of-pocket cap | $2,100 | Maximum deductible $615; relevant only if you hold Part D (most readers needn't) |
| MA in-network out-of-pocket max | $9,250 | Down from $9,350 — plans may set lower caps |
TRICARE's 2026 changes
Pharmacy copays rose January 1 under the FY2018 NDAA schedule: home delivery to $14/$44/$85 (generic/brand/non-formulary, 90-day), retail to $16/$48/$85 (30-day). Military pharmacies stay $0, and survivors of active-duty members plus medically retired members keep prior rates. TRICARE also added 2026 coverage for several procedures — details at the Express Scripts guide and tricare.mil.
The VA's 2026 numbers
Outpatient copays held at $15 primary / $50 specialty and urgent care at $30; medication tiers stayed $5/$8/$11 per 30 days under the $700 annual cap. The inpatient full rate moved with Medicare's Part A deductible to $1,736 + $10/day — the annual reminder that the two systems share one number. Full tables on the 2026 VA copay page; tier placements shift at the formulary update, so re-check long-time medications.
Carried forward from recent years — still settling in
- Medicare-negotiated drug prices took effect January 2026 for the first ten high-cost Part D drugs.
- The Medicare Prescription Payment Plan continues — Part D enrollees can spread costs across the year.
- The PACT Act's expanded enrollment keeps moving toxic-exposed veterans of all eras into VA care — and, at 65+, into the duplicate-drug-coverage question this site exists to answer.
Annual numbers are the easy part — what they change for your setup is the conversation. Agents re-run this math every January.
Find a Medicare AgentOr compare plans yourself at PlanMatch’s plan finder, or contact Medicare.gov / 1-800-MEDICARE.
Frequently asked questions
What is the Medicare Part B premium for 2026?
Did TRICARE pharmacy copays change in 2026?
What is the 2026 Medicare Advantage out-of-pocket maximum?
Did VA copays change for 2026?
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