📢 YOUR MEDICARE BENEFITS IN 2026:UNDERSTANDING THE CHANGES
- kaedixon8
- Sep 11
- 3 min read
If you are a Medicare Advantage or Dual-Eligible Special Needs Plan (D-SNP) member, listen up! The special benefits you may have been relying on for a few years could be changing in 2026. This is not just a minor update—it's a critical change that could impact your finances and access to care.
What's Happening? The VBID Model is Ending 🚨
For the past several years, the government has run a special test program called the Value-Based Insurance Design (VBID) Model. This program allowed some Medicare Advantage plans to offer extra benefits and lower costs to people with specific health conditions or those with lower incomes.
These benefits weren't just "nice-to-haves." They included things like:
Monthly credits for healthy food.
Free or reduced transportation to doctor appointments.
Lower costs on certain prescription drugs.
Help with housing or utility bills.
Unfortunately, this program is ending on December 31, 2025, because it became too expensive for the government. This means your current plan, even if you keep it, might not offer the same benefits you've come to rely on.
The Problem: Your Benefits Could Change 📉
If you are on a D-SNP plan, this change is especially important. Many of these plans used the VBID Model to provide those valuable extra benefits and low drug costs.
Here is what you need to understand:
Your Plan May Change: The extra benefits you get now—like your food, utilities and transportation allowance or $0 drug co-pays—might be different or gone in 2026.
The Plan You Have May Be Discontinued: Your insurance company could stop offering your specific plan in 2026.
Just "Re-Enrolling" may not be an option: Actively check your benefits. The benefits you had this year may not automatically be the same next year, even if you stay with the same insurance company.
The Solution: Partner with a Knowledgeable Broker (That's Me!) ✅
This is not a time to go it alone. The good news is that many of these valuable benefits can still be found in other plans through a different program called Special Supplemental Benefits for the Chronically Ill (SSBCI). However, the rules for who qualifies for these benefits are different. You need an expert to help you navigate these changes and find a plan that works for you.
I've been tracking these changes closely and have the knowledge and tools to help you. My job is to be your advocate and guide you through this complex process.
It is vital for beneficiaries to remain vigilant and proactive regarding these changes, as they can significantly impact the overall healthcare experience.
Your Proactive Checklist for 2026 📝
The Annual Enrollment Period (October 15 to December 7) is your one chance to make a change for 2026. Here's what you need to do, and what I can help you with:
Look for Your "Annual Notice of Changes" (ANOC): This document from your current plan will arrive in your mailbox in late September or early October. It will tell you exactly what is changing.
Contact me directly: Don't just read the ANOC—let me help you understand it. I will review your current plan and compare it to every option available in our area.
Here are the critical questions I can answer for you:
"Is my current plan being offered in 2026, and if so, what benefits are changing?"
"Will my food allowance, transportation, or other special benefits be the same next year?"
"What will my drug costs be in 2026, especially if they were $0 this year?"
"What new plans are available that can still offer the benefits I need and rely on?"
Understand how this major change in government policy can affect your coverage in 2026. Call me today to schedule a free, no-obligation review. Let's make sure you're covered for 2026.
Kathryn Dixon
Licensed Independent Insurance Broker
850-368-8766
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