(An Iowa News Service report) – New data show nearly half of Americans have made a health care decision they regret because they did not have the information they needed to make an informed choice. Health officials are reminding Iowans to review their existing Medicare plans and prepare for changes in 2026. The Edelman 2025 Trust Barometer showed 43% of people regret a health care choice they’ve made after realizing they didn’t have accurate information.

Kristin Griffith, director of the Senior Health Insurance Information Program and the Senior Medicare Patrol for the Insurance Division of the State of Iowa, said it is important to review your coverage because insurance companies have renegotiated their contracts with Medicare. “That new contract is going to have changes, usually in everything from what prescriptions are covered, what the premiums are,” Griffith outlined. “If it’s a Medicare advantage plan there are probably going to be changes to networks and providers and whose covered.”

More than 685,000 Iowans are enrolled in Medicare, according to KFF Health News. (Adobe Stock)

The Center for Medicare Services said beneficiaries could collectively save as much as $5.1 billion in 2026, with out-of-pocket drug costs now capped at $2,100 under Medicare Part D plans. Dr. Rhonda Randall, chief medical officer and executive vice president of UnitedHealthcare Employer and Individual, said it is important to understand the different options available through Medicare when choosing a plan. “The difference between original Medicare and Medicare Advantage, differences between Medicare parts A, B, C and D, for example,” Randall explained.

The Medicare open enrollment period began Oct. 15 and runs until Dec. 7.