Medicare is getting more expensive, and 2026 is shaping up to be a year people will feel it. Premiums, deductibles, and IRMAA brackets are all heading upward, and while the increases might look like “just numbers” on paper, they translate directly into real monthly expenses for millions of Americans. If you rely on Medicare or you advise anyone who does, now’s the time to understand exactly what’s changing and why it matters. Here’s your clear, no nonsense breakdown of the 20