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Medicare Premiums Surge, Squeezing Georgia Seniors' Budgets
13 Nov
Summary
- Nearly 2 million Georgians face higher healthcare costs in 2026
- Medicare Part B premiums expected to jump from $185 to $206
- Prescription drug coverage costs could rise by up to $50 per month
In 2025, nearly 2 million Georgians are bracing for a significant financial burden as Medicare premiums are set to rise sharply in the coming year. According to the latest Medicare Trustees Report, monthly premiums for Medicare Part B, which covers doctor visits and outpatient services, are expected to jump from $185 to $206 in 2026. This increase will impact more than 1.6 million Georgians enrolled in the program.
For older adults like 76-year-old Diane Corbin, who lives in Atlanta's Grove Park neighborhood, the news is "devastating." Corbin currently pays $180 a month for Part B coverage, a major portion of her Social Security check. "I'm not going to be able to afford it. Barely can now," she told CBS Atlanta. Corbin has watched her premium rise nearly $40 since first enrolling at age 65.
The financial pressure is set to intensify further, as insurers offering Medicare Part D, which covers most prescription drugs, will be allowed to raise monthly premiums by up to $50 in 2026, significantly higher than today's $35 cap. This change could significantly impact thousands of Georgians like Corbin, who relies on daily medication for high blood pressure. "We need our medicine," she said. "That's why we're still living."
