Our methodology
Medicare is “Your Money or Your Life” information, being wrong can cost a family real money. So here is exactly where our numbers come from, how we check them, and how often we update them. Nothing here is invented; every figure traces to an official government source.
Every key figure, and where it comes from
These are the main 2026 numbers behind our tools and guides, each traceable to a primary source. Last verified July 2026.
| What it is | 2026 figure | Source | Last verified |
|---|---|---|---|
| Standard Part B premium | $202.90 / month | CMS | July 2026 |
| Extra Help (Part D Low-Income Subsidy) value | about $5,700 / year | SSA / KFF | July 2026 |
| Extra Help income limit (single / married) | ~$23,940 / ~$32,460 per year | SSA | July 2026 |
| Extra Help resource limit (single / married) | $18,090 / $36,100 | SSA | July 2026 |
| QMB income limit (single) | about $1,350 / month | CMS + state | July 2026 |
| Medicare Savings Programs, Part B premium paid | $202.90 / month | CMS | July 2026 |
| States with no asset test for MSPs | 14 states + D.C. | State Medicaid rules | July 2026 |
| Annual Enrollment Period | October 15 to December 7 | Medicare.gov | July 2026 |
Primary sources: Social Security (Extra Help), Medicare.gov (Savings Programs), CMS, and each state's Medicaid agency for its own limits.
How we keep our numbers current
Federal Medicare figures, the Part B premium, Extra Help value and limits, and the Medicare Savings Program limits, are published each fall for the following year. When SSA and CMS release the new numbers, we re-verify every figure against the primary source and update the tools and guides together, so the interactive checker and the written content never disagree. Every page shows a visible “last updated” date so you can see how fresh it is.
How we write and review our content
We write in plain language aimed at about a sixth-grade reading level, because Medicare is hard enough without jargon. Every factual claim, a dollar amount, an eligibility rule, a deadline, is checked against an official CMS, SSA, or Medicare.gov source at the point we state it, not bundled into a vague “sources” footer. We describe programs and rules; we never tell you which specific plan to buy, and we take no commission if you enroll in anything.
What our numbers are, and aren't
Before you connect any personal Medicare data, everything we show is an estimate built from published 2026 rules and the programs you appear to qualify for. We show ranges, not promises, because some income and savings don't count and every state sets its own limits. Always confirm with Social Security, your state Medicaid office, or a free SHIP counselor (1-800-MEDICARE) before you rely on a result. MediNav is not the government and is not a substitute for official determinations.
Found a number that looks off?
Accuracy on this matters to us more than anything, and rules do change. If you spot a figure that looks out of date or wrong, please tell us, we'll re-verify it against the primary source and correct it promptly, and we'll update the “last verified” date when we do.
Last updated July 2026. Figures verified against SSA, CMS, and Medicare.gov (2026). MediNav is a neutral service, no commissions, no data selling, and not the government.