GESTIÓN EN SALUD PÚBLICA

Medicare Open Enrollment and Coverage Options: Key Questions and Answers Authors: Alex Cottrill, Jeannie Fuglesten Biniek, Juliette Cubanski, and Meredith Freed Published: Oct 9, 2026

https://www.kff.org/medicare/medicare-open-enrollment-and-coverage-options-key-questions-and-answers/ Each year, Medicare beneficiaries have an opportunity to make changes to how they receive their Medicare coverage during the nearly 8-week annual open enrollment period. This brief answers key questions about the Medicare open enrollment period and Medicare coverage options.

Medicare Advantage Plan Availability Varies Widely by County for 2027 One in five (20%) Medicare beneficiaries have more than 40 Medicare Advantage drug plan options, while 1% of beneficiaries have none. Authors: Meredith Freed, Jeannie Fuglesten Biniek, Nancy Ochieng, and Juliette Cubanski Published: Oct 9, 2026

https://www.kff.org/medicare/medicare-advantage-plan-availability-varies-widely-by-county-for-2027/ The analysis shows that plan level Medicare Advantage prescription drug availability varies widely across the country in 2027, with a modest reduction in the share of enrollees having more than 40 MA-PDs to choose from compared to 2026, and some major insurers exiting a much larger number of counties than they are entering.

How Much Do People with Medicare Pay for Coverage? Authors: Alex Cottrill, Meredith Freed, Jeannie Fuglesten Biniek, and Juliette Cubanski Published: Oct 9, 2026

https://www.kff.org/medicare/how-much-do-people-with-medicare-pay-for-coverage/ While Medicare covers a wide range of health care services, Medicare beneficiaries generally pay out-of-pocket for their monthly premiums, deductibles, and cost sharing for Medicare covered services. This brief provides an overview of the costs faced by Medicare beneficiaries in traditional Medicare, Medicare Advantage, and Medicare Part D, including premiums, deductibles, copays, and coinsurance, focusing on costs in 2026.

HHS’s Elimination of Disparate Impact to Determine Discrimination: Potential Implications for Health and Health Care Authors: Latoya Hill, Jameson Floyd, and Samantha Artiga Published: Oct 9, 2026

https://www.kff.org/racial-equity-and-health-policy/hhss-elimination-of-disparate-impact-to-determine-discrimination-potential-implications-for-health-and-health-care/ On July 23, 2026, the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) finalized revisions to regulations implementing Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 to eliminate disparate impact as a basis for determining whether discrimination has occurred in programs, services, or activities receiving HHS federal financial assistance. It was issued following Executive Order 14281, “Restoring Equality of Opportunity and Meritocracy,” and similar actions by other federal agencies, including the Department of Justice (DOJ), Department of Education (DOE), and Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD). This issue brief provides background on Title VI, summarizes the key changes in the 2026 final rule, and discusses the potential implications for racial and ethnic health disparities.