2026 ACA & Medicare Cost Projections

The Friday Five for August 15, 2025:

• Threads, Waze, AEP Countdown
• CMS 2026 Medicare Part D Bid Information
• Medicare Part B Cost Projections
• 2026 COLA Estimate
• CY2026 ACA Premium Rate Filings

 

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Threads, Waze, AEP Countdown:

“Number of Threads Users.” Backlinko.Com, Backlinko, 17 July 2025, backlinko.com/threads-users.

Mendes, Marcus. “Threads Crosses 400M Monthly Active Users as It Gains on X.” 9to5Mac.Com, 9to5Mac, 13 Aug. 2025, 9to5mac.com/2025/08/12/threads-crosses-400m-monthly-active-users-as-it-gains-on-x/.

Price, Emily. “Threads Just Achieved Its Biggest Milestone Yet.” FastCompany.Com, Fast Company, 12 Aug. 2025, www.fastcompany.com/91384230/meta-threads-just-achieved-its-biggest-milestone-yet.

Malik, Aisha. “Threads Now Has More than 400 Million Monthly Active Users.” TechCrunch.Com, TechCrunch, 12 Aug. 2025, techcrunch.com/2025/08/12/threads-now-has-more-than-400-million-monthly-active-users/.

“Waze Will End Updates for Older Android Devices Soon.” 9to5google.Com, Google, 11 Aug. 2025, 9to5google.com/2025/08/11/waze-will-end-updates-for-older-android-devices-soon/.

 

CMS 2026 Medicare Part D Bid Information:

“2026 Medicare Part D Bid Information and Part D Premium Stabilization Demonstration Parameters.” CMS.Gov, CMS, 28 July 2025, www.cms.gov/newsroom/fact-sheets/2026-medicare-part-d-bid-information-and-part-d-premium-stabilization-demonstration-parameters.

2026 Medicare Part D Bid Info Likely Means Higher Premiums & Plan Disruption — Here's Why

The 2026 Medicare Part D Redesign Updates Agents Should Know

 

Medicare Part B Cost Projections:

“2025 Medicare Trustees Report.” CMS.Gov, CMS, 18 June 2025, www.cms.gov/oact/tr/2025.

LeValley, Donna. “Seven Medicare Changes Coming in 2026.” Kiplinger.Com, Kiplinger, 8 Aug. 2025, www.kiplinger.com/retirement/medicare/medicare-changes-coming-in-2026.

 

2026 COLA Estimate:

“2025 Medicare Trustees Report.” CMS.Gov, CMS, 18 June 2025, www.cms.gov/oact/tr/2025.

LeValley, Donna. “Seven Medicare Changes Coming in 2026.” Kiplinger.Com, Kiplinger, 8 Aug. 2025, www.kiplinger.com/retirement/medicare/medicare-changes-coming-in-2026.

 

CY2026 ACA Premium Rate Filings:

Minemyer, Paige. “KFF