Medicare costs are changing in 2026, and for most Granite Staters, premiums and deductibles will go up slightly. Like a woodpecker tapping on a sugar maple in a New Hampshire snowstorm, these changes may seem small — but over time, they can make a noticeable difference.
At Woodpecker Insurance, we help New Hampshire residents understand these changes and plan for the year ahead — whether you live in Concord, Manchester, Nashua, or anywhere else in the state. Think of us as the friendly woodpeckers helping you navigate the Medicare forest without getting lost in the trees… or stuck behind a moose on I-93.
Medicare Part A, which covers hospital stays, skilled nursing facilities, hospice, and some home health services, is seeing a few updates for 2026. The hospital deductible will be $1,736 per benefit period, coinsurance for days 61–90 in the hospital is $434 per day, lifetime reserve days are $868 per day, and skilled nursing facility coinsurance for days 21–100 is $217 per day.
If you have a Medigap plan, most policies cover the Part A deductible, so your out-of-pocket cost for hospital stays remains zero. In other words, your Medigap plan is doing the heavy pecking for you, so you can stay snug and warm like a snowbird in your favorite rocking chair.
Medicare Part B, which covers doctor visits, outpatient services, lab work, and preventive care, is also changing. The standard monthly premium will be $202.90, and the annual deductible will be $283. For higher-income households, IRMAA (Income-Related Monthly Adjustment Amount) may apply, and premiums could range up to $689.90 per month depending on your income. If your premiums start feeling like a Mount Washington windstorm — strong and a little biting — we can help you navigate adjustments.
Whether you live in Concord, Manchester, Nashua, or anywhere else in New Hampshire, it’s important to plan for about $203 per month for Part B and the $283 annual deductible. Medigap plans continue to provide strong protection against hospital costs, and higher-income households should review IRMAA carefully. Annual Medicare reviews are more important than ever because even small changes can add up faster than a woodpecker chasing breakfast across a frozen pond.
At Woodpecker Insurance, we specialize in helping New Hampshire residents understand Medicare clearly and confidently. We meet in person at our Concord office or through home visits across the state. No call centers. No rushed explanations. Just honest guidance from your local Medicare Woodpeckers . We make sure you’re not left pecking at confusing forms or scratching your head like a driver stuck in a White Mountains traffic jam.
If you’d like to review your Medicare coverage for 2026 or have questions about how these changes affect you, we’re always here — tapping away until we find the right solution. Your Woodpeckers remain at the ready.