Medicare.gov now offers ID.me, CLEARme.com, and Login.gov to help prevent fraud and keep your health information secure. These free services verify your identity online or in-person and give you other ways to log into your Medicare account besides using a username and password (page 14).

 

Medicare encourages you to participate in a new care model that can help improve your quality of care and save money. You may be eligible to join ACCESS, a model that may lower your overall costs and give you access to convenient, technology-supported care (page 78). Medicare now also offers access to certain GLP-1 drugs to help you lose weight if you meet certain requirements (page 92).

 

Medicare is stepping up the fight against fraud. Have you heard Medicare is crushing fraud? We’re improving our approach, including using AI tools, to detect fraud early and stop improper payments. But we still need your help. Remember to check your Medicare Summary Notices (MSNs), receipts, and statements for errors or services you didn’t get. Guard your Medicare card and Medicare Number and report fraud if you suspect it (page 109).

 

You must now meet certain citizenship, nationality, or immigration status requirements to sign up for Medicare (page 9).

 

Connect to Medicare with third-party apps. You can find digital apps on Medicare.gov that have been developed by private companies and prioritize your privacy. They connect to Medicare to help personalize your health experience while keeping your information secure. Visit Medicare.gov/ health-apps to learn more.

 

Do you live in a rural community? The new Rural Health Transformation Program supports states in making it easier to get the care you need close to home. Medicare is investing in stronger rural health systems nationwide—supporting states to improve facilities, upgrade health technology, and expand reliable care options (page 52).

 

Medicare extended telehealth flexibilities through December 31, 2027. This means you can keep getting telehealth wherever you are (page 53). If you’re in the Medicare Diabetes Prevention Program, you’ll now have access to virtual-only providers, live sessions, and self-paced sessions (page 48).

 

 

Highlights for 2026.  Attached PDF provides the complete handbook for download.

Capping what you pay for prescription drugs    If you have Medicare drug coverage (Part D), your yearly out-of-pocket Part D drugs will be capped at $2,100 in 2026. Once you reach this cap, you won’t have to pay a copayment or coinsurance for covered Part D drugs for the rest of the calendar year (page 83).

More drug cost savings for you   Learn how Medicare prescription drug prices are changing in 2026 (page 81).

Meeting your health care needs   Medicare now pays for Advanced Primary Care Management services each month where your doctor or other health care provider coordinates and tailors care to your needs. Providers that offer these services must give you 24/7 access to your care team or provider and more (page 31).

Early detection matters    Medicare covers a wide range of colorectal cancer screenings, including computed tomography (CT) colonography. Getting screened is an important part of cancer prevention and early detection (page 36).

Help Medicare fight fraud and cut waste    Protect yourself from fraud and medical identity theft by checking your Medicare Summary Notices (MSNs), and your receipts and statements, for errors or services you didn’t get. If you think your Medicare Number has been used fraudulently, call 1-800-MEDICARE (1-800-633-4227). TTY users can call 1-877-486-2048 (pages 105–106). Go digital with Medicare You can get Medicare resources at your fingertips! Start by logging into (or creating) your secure Medicare.gov account. There, you can manage your prescriptions, get your Medicare Summary Notices (MSNs) electronically, switch to the electronic version of this handbook, and more. You can also sign up for emails on the latest Medicare news. There’s never been a better to time to switch from paper to digital.