Turning 65 is a big milestone, and for most people it comes with a brand-new task: signing up for Medicare. If you’re approaching 65 in El Paso and feeling a little overwhelmed by all the letters, deadlines, and plan choices, you’re not alone. The good news is that Medicare becomes a lot less confusing once you break it into a few simple pieces. Here’s what you need to know for 2026.
When should you sign up? Know your Initial Enrollment Period
The most important window for anyone new to Medicare is called the Initial Enrollment Period (IEP). It’s a 7-month stretch built around your 65th birthday: the three months before your birthday month, your birthday month itself, and the three months after.
For example, if you turn 65 in June 2026, your Initial Enrollment Period runs from March 1 through September 30, 2026. To make sure your coverage starts the first day of your birthday month, it’s best to enroll during those first three months rather than waiting until the last minute.
The parts of Medicare, explained simply
Medicare is split into parts, and each one covers something different:
- Part A (Hospital Insurance) — covers inpatient hospital stays, skilled nursing care, and some home health services. Most people pay no monthly premium for Part A.
- Part B (Medical Insurance) — covers doctor visits, outpatient care, preventive services, and durable medical equipment. Part B has a monthly premium.
- Part C (Medicare Advantage) — an all-in-one alternative offered by private insurers that bundles Parts A and B, and usually drug coverage, often with extras like dental or vision.
- Part D (Prescription Drug Coverage) — helps pay for prescription medications. You can add it to Original Medicare or get it built into a Medicare Advantage plan.
- Medigap (Medicare Supplement) — optional private coverage that helps pay the out-of-pocket costs Original Medicare leaves behind, like deductibles and coinsurance.
What Medicare costs in 2026
Costs change every year, so here are the key 2026 numbers to plan around:
- The standard Part B premium is $202.90 per month in 2026 (up from $185.00 in 2025). Higher earners may pay more.
- The Part B annual deductible is $283 in 2026.
- Part D drug plans can’t charge a deductible higher than $615 in 2026, and many plans have a lower deductible or none at all.
- There’s now a $2,100 cap on out-of-pocket prescription drug costs for the year. Once you hit that limit, you pay $0 for covered medications for the rest of the year — a huge relief for anyone on expensive prescriptions.
Don’t miss your deadline — penalties are permanent
Here’s the part that catches a lot of people off guard: signing up late can raise your premiums for life. If you don’t sign up for Part B when you’re first eligible (and you don’t have qualifying coverage from an employer), your premium can go up 10% for each full 12-month period you could have had it. The Part D late-enrollment penalty works similarly and also sticks with you permanently.
If you’re still working past 65 and covered by an employer plan, the rules are different and you may be able to delay without penalty. This is exactly the kind of situation where a quick conversation can save you money and stress.
You don’t have to figure this out alone
Choosing between Original Medicare, a Medicare Advantage plan, a drug plan, and a Medigap policy comes down to your health, your budget, your doctors, and your prescriptions. There’s no single “best” plan — only the best plan for you.
As an independent, licensed insurance agent right here in El Paso, I help my neighbors compare their options and enroll with confidence — and my help is free to you. If you’re turning 65 or new to Medicare in 2026, let’s talk before your enrollment window closes.
Call Armando Wilson at (915) 255-9077 for free, personal help choosing the right Medicare plan.
This article is for general educational purposes and is not a substitute for personalized advice. Medicare costs and rules can vary by situation.
