https://thewisesenior.com/whats-new Every figure on this site is transcribed from the government document that set it and stamped with the date we last checked it. This feed carries one entry per check, newest first, so a change to a published figure can be followed without visiting the site. en-us Mon, 03 Aug 2026 12:00:00 GMT https://thewisesenior.com/whats-new ss-payment-schedule-2026@2026-08-03 Mon, 03 Aug 2026 12:00:00 GMT Social Security Administration Publication No. 05-10031, January 2026 — Schedule of Social Security Benefit Payments 2026 Source: https://www.ssa.gov/pubs/EN-05-10031-2026.pdf Effective year: 2026. Status: verified. Last checked: 2026-08-03. https://thewisesenior.com/whats-new va-burial-2026@2026-08-03 Mon, 03 Aug 2026 12:00:00 GMT U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs — Veterans burial allowance and transportation benefits, current rate tables Source: https://www.va.gov/burials-memorials/veterans-burial-allowance/ Effective year: 2026. Status: verified. Last checked: 2026-08-03. https://thewisesenior.com/whats-new cpi-u-series@2026-08-02 Sun, 02 Aug 2026 12:00:00 GMT BLS Public Data API, series CUUR0000SA0 — CPI-U, U.S. city average, all items, not seasonally adjusted (1982-84=100). Values cross-checked against the CPI news releases; release dates from the BLS Schedule of Releases for the Consumer Price Index. Source: https://api.bls.gov/publicAPI/v2/timeseries/data/CUUR0000SA0 Effective year: 2026. Status: verified. Last checked: 2026-08-02. https://thewisesenior.com/whats-new eldercare-costs-2026@2026-08-02 Sun, 02 Aug 2026 12:00:00 GMT CareScout (formerly Genworth) Cost of Care Survey 2025, fielded July-November 2025 Source: https://www.carescout.com/cost-of-care Effective year: 2026. Status: verified. Last checked: 2026-08-02. https://thewisesenior.com/whats-new enrollment-windows-2026@2026-08-02 Sun, 02 Aug 2026 12:00:00 GMT Medicare.gov, "When does Medicare coverage start?" (Initial, General and Special Enrollment Periods); plan windows from Medicare.gov, "Joining a plan" (https://www.medicare.gov/basics/get-started-with-medicare/get-more-coverage/joining-a-plan); Medigap window from Medicare.gov, "Medigap basics" (https://www.medicare.gov/health-drug-plans/medigap/basics) Source: https://www.medicare.gov/basics/get-started-with-medicare/sign-up/when-does-medicare-coverage-start Effective year: 2026. Status: verified. Last checked: 2026-08-02. https://thewisesenior.com/whats-new funeral-costs-2026@2026-08-02 Sun, 02 Aug 2026 12:00:00 GMT National Funeral Directors Association General Price List survey (2023 prices), NFDA Media Center statistics, page data last updated September 29, 2025 Source: https://www.nfda.org/media-center/ Effective year: 2026. Status: verified. Last checked: 2026-08-02. https://thewisesenior.com/whats-new irmaa-2026@2026-08-02 Sun, 02 Aug 2026 12:00:00 GMT CMS fact sheet, "2026 Medicare Parts A & B Premiums and Deductibles / 2026 Medicare Part D Income-Related Monthly Adjustment Amounts" (November 14, 2025); the same tables appear in CMS-8091-N, 90 FR 52063 (November 19, 2025) and on Form SSA-44 (12-2025) Source: https://www.cms.gov/newsroom/fact-sheets/2026-medicare-parts-b-premiums-deductibles Effective year: 2026. Status: verified. Last checked: 2026-08-02. https://thewisesenior.com/whats-new medicaid-ltc-al-2026@2026-08-02 Sun, 02 Aug 2026 12:00:00 GMT Alabama Medicaid Agency, Medicaid Income Limits for 2026 (Medicaid eligibility handout, Form 207) Source: https://medicaid.alabama.gov/documents/3.0_Apply/3.2_Qualifying_Medicaid/3.2_Medicaid_Income_Limits_2026_3-11-26.pdf Effective year: 2026. Status: verified. Last checked: 2026-08-02. https://thewisesenior.com/whats-new medicaid-ltc-co-2026@2026-08-02 Sun, 02 Aug 2026 12:00:00 GMT Colorado Department of Health Care Policy and Financing, Operational Memo HCPF OM 25-073 — 2026 Social Security Cost of Living Adjustments (issued December 9, 2025) Source: https://hcpf.colorado.gov/sites/hcpf/files/HCPF%20OM%2025-073%202026%20Social%20Security%20Cost%20of%20Living%20Adjustments.pdf Effective year: 2026. Status: verified. Last checked: 2026-08-02. https://thewisesenior.com/whats-new medicaid-ltc-ct-2026@2026-08-02 Sun, 02 Aug 2026 12:00:00 GMT Connecticut Department of Social Services, What is HUSKY C? — with the DSS Program Standards Chart effective 07/01/2026 Source: https://portal.ct.gov/dss/knowledge-base/articles/healthcare-coverage/husky-c Effective year: 2026. Status: verified. Last checked: 2026-08-02. https://thewisesenior.com/whats-new medicaid-ltc-dc-2026@2026-08-02 Sun, 02 Aug 2026 12:00:00 GMT District of Columbia Department of Health Care Finance, Long-term Care (LTC) (updated January 2026) Source: https://dhcf.dc.gov/service/long-term-care-ltc Effective year: 2026. Status: verified. Last checked: 2026-08-02. https://thewisesenior.com/whats-new medicaid-ltc-de-2026@2026-08-02 Sun, 02 Aug 2026 12:00:00 GMT Delaware Register of Regulations, January 2026 — Department of Health and Social Services, Division of Social Services Manual 20000 Medicaid Long Term Care (effective 1/11/2026) Source: https://regulations.delaware.gov/api/register/january2026/9e3b419d-c7f2-4b6d-b263-8b3e83762335 Effective year: 2026. Status: verified. Last checked: 2026-08-02. https://thewisesenior.com/whats-new medicaid-ltc-ga-2026@2026-08-02 Sun, 02 Aug 2026 12:00:00 GMT Georgia Department of Community Health, 2026 ABD Income and Resource Limits, with the Department's 2026 Financial Limits chart Source: https://medicaid.georgia.gov/document/document/2026-abd-fm-income-resource-limits/download Effective year: 2026. Status: verified. Last checked: 2026-08-02. https://thewisesenior.com/whats-new medicaid-ltc-hi-2026@2026-08-02 Sun, 02 Aug 2026 12:00:00 GMT Hawaii Med-QUEST Division, 2026 MAGI-Excepted Income Standards and Asset Limits (effective 01/13/2026), with Hawaii Administrative Rules 17-1725.1 and 17-1724.1 Source: https://medquest.hawaii.gov/content/dam/formsanddocuments/resources/magi-and-magi-excepted-income-standard-charts/2026%20PPDO%20MAGI%20and%20MAGI-Excepted%20Income%20Standards%20CHART.pdf Effective year: 2026. Status: verified. Last checked: 2026-08-02. https://thewisesenior.com/whats-new medicaid-ltc-ia-2026@2026-08-02 Sun, 02 Aug 2026 12:00:00 GMT Iowa Department of Health and Human Services, Employees' Manual Title 8 Medicaid, Chapter F — Coverage Groups (300% Income Level) and Chapter D — Resources Source: https://hhs.iowa.gov/media/4012/download?inline= Effective year: 2026. Status: verified. Last checked: 2026-08-02. https://thewisesenior.com/whats-new medicaid-ltc-id-2026@2026-08-02 Sun, 02 Aug 2026 12:00:00 GMT Idaho Department of Health and Welfare, Medicaid Program Income Limits, with IDAPA 16.03.05 Eligibility for Aid to the Aged, Blind and Disabled Source: https://healthandwelfare.idaho.gov/medicaid-program-income-limits Effective year: 2026. Status: verified. Last checked: 2026-08-02. https://thewisesenior.com/whats-new medicaid-ltc-il-2026@2026-08-02 Sun, 02 Aug 2026 12:00:00 GMT Illinois Department of Human Services, WAG 25-03-02(2) Medical FPLs — 2026 Monthly Income Standards, Resources, and Program Standards Source: https://www.dhs.state.il.us/page.aspx?item=21741 Effective year: 2026. Status: verified. Last checked: 2026-08-02. https://thewisesenior.com/whats-new medicaid-ltc-in-2026@2026-08-02 Sun, 02 Aug 2026 12:00:00 GMT Indiana Family and Social Services Administration, Indiana Health Coverage Program Policy Manual Chapter 3000 — Eligibility Standards Source: https://secure.in.gov/fssa/ompp/files/Medicaid_PM_3000.pdf Effective year: 2026. Status: verified. Last checked: 2026-08-02. https://thewisesenior.com/whats-new medicaid-ltc-ks-2026@2026-08-02 Sun, 02 Aug 2026 12:00:00 GMT Kansas Department of Health and Environment, Kansas Medical Assistance Standards, Form F-8 (rev. 07-26) Source: https://www.kancare.ks.gov/home/showpublisheddocument/6782/639159078188070000 Effective year: 2026. Status: verified. Last checked: 2026-08-02. https://thewisesenior.com/whats-new medicaid-ltc-ky-2026@2026-08-02 Sun, 02 Aug 2026 12:00:00 GMT Kentucky Cabinet for Health and Family Services, Division of Family Support Operation Manual Volume IX, Transmittal OMTL-690 (3/9/26) — 2026 Federal Poverty Level increase and 2026 Spousal Impoverishment Standards, with 907 KAR 20:025 Source: https://www.chfs.ky.gov/agencies/dcbs/dfs/Documents/OMVOLIX.pdf Effective year: 2026. Status: verified. Last checked: 2026-08-02. https://thewisesenior.com/whats-new medicaid-ltc-la-2026@2026-08-02 Sun, 02 Aug 2026 12:00:00 GMT Louisiana Department of Health, Medicaid Eligibility Manual chart Z-700 — Long Term Care/HCBS/Adult Residential Care Special Income Level, Resource Limits and Personal Care Needs Allowance (reissued January 7, 2026) Source: https://ldh.la.gov/assets/medicaid/MedicaidEligibilityPolicy/Z-700.pdf Effective year: 2026. Status: verified. Last checked: 2026-08-02. https://thewisesenior.com/whats-new medicaid-ltc-ma-2026@2026-08-02 Sun, 02 Aug 2026 12:00:00 GMT MassHealth, Program financial guidelines for certain MassHealth applicants and members — 2026 MassHealth Income Standards and Federal Poverty Guidelines (updated January 6, 2026) Source: https://www.mass.gov/info-details/program-financial-guidelines-for-certain-masshealth-applicants-and-members Effective year: 2026. Status: verified. Last checked: 2026-08-02. https://thewisesenior.com/whats-new medicaid-ltc-md-2026@2026-08-02 Sun, 02 Aug 2026 12:00:00 GMT Maryland Department of Health, Medical Assistance Manual Appendix Schedules — 2026 Updates effective 1/1/2026 (Schedules MA-1, MA-2, MA-2A, MA-6, MA-8, MA-10), with Manual Section 1000 Eligibility for Institutionalized Persons Source: https://health.maryland.gov/mmcp/Medicaid%20Manual/Appendix%20schedules%202026%20Eff%201_1_2026%20updates.docx.pdf Effective year: 2026. Status: verified. Last checked: 2026-08-02. https://thewisesenior.com/whats-new medicaid-ltc-me-2026@2026-08-02 Sun, 02 Aug 2026 12:00:00 GMT Maine Department of Health and Human Services, MaineCare Eligibility Manual Chapter 332 — Appendices and Charts, with the Department's MaineCare Eligibility Guidelines Source: https://www.maine.gov/sos/sites/maine.gov.sos/files/content/assets/144c332-appendices-charts.docx Effective year: 2026. Status: verified. Last checked: 2026-08-02. https://thewisesenior.com/whats-new medicaid-ltc-mi-2026@2026-08-02 Sun, 02 Aug 2026 12:00:00 GMT Michigan Department of Health and Human Services, Reference Tables Manual RFT 248 — SSI Payment Levels (RFB 2026-006, effective 5-1-2026), with Bridges Eligibility Manual BEM 400 Assets and BEM 402 Special MA Asset Rules Source: https://mdhhs-pres-prod.michigan.gov/olmweb/ex/RF/Public/RFT/248.pdf Effective year: 2026. Status: verified. Last checked: 2026-08-02. https://thewisesenior.com/whats-new medicaid-ltc-mn-2026@2026-08-02 Sun, 02 Aug 2026 12:00:00 GMT Minnesota Department of Human Services, Health Care Programs Eligibility Policy Manual, Appendix F — Standards and Guidelines Source: https://hcopub.dhs.state.mn.us/epm/appendix_f.htm Effective year: 2026. Status: verified. Last checked: 2026-08-02. https://thewisesenior.com/whats-new medicaid-ltc-mo-2026@2026-08-02 Sun, 02 Aug 2026 12:00:00 GMT Missouri Family Support Division, Appendix J — Eligibility Standards for Non-MAGI Programs (07/2026) Source: https://dss.mo.gov/fsd/iman/medasst/appendix_j.pdf Effective year: 2026. Status: verified. Last checked: 2026-08-02. https://thewisesenior.com/whats-new medicaid-ltc-ms-2026@2026-08-02 Sun, 02 Aug 2026 12:00:00 GMT Mississippi Division of Medicaid, Medicaid Eligibility for the Aged, Blind and Disabled Residing in a Nursing Facility or Participating in a Home and Community Based Services (HCBS) Waiver Program (revised 01/01/2026) Source: https://medicaid.ms.gov/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/LTC-ABD-Nursing-Home.January-2026.pdf Effective year: 2026. Status: verified. Last checked: 2026-08-02. https://thewisesenior.com/whats-new medicaid-ltc-mt-2026@2026-08-02 Sun, 02 Aug 2026 12:00:00 GMT Montana Department of Public Health and Human Services, Aged, Blind and Disabled Medicaid 013 — Table of Standards: Nursing Home Residents-Income (effective 01/01/2026), with Combined Medicaid 001 Table of Standards: General Resource Limits Source: https://dphhs.mt.gov/assets/hcsd/mamanual/ABD013.pdf Effective year: 2026. Status: verified. Last checked: 2026-08-02. https://thewisesenior.com/whats-new medicaid-ltc-nc-2026@2026-08-02 Sun, 02 Aug 2026 12:00:00 GMT North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services, Aged, Blind and Disabled Medicaid Manual MA-2230 Financial Resources, with MA-2940 the 2026 cost-of-living adjustment and MA-3260 the Community Alternatives Program Source: https://policies.ncdhhs.gov/wp-content/uploads/MA-2230-2.pdf Effective year: 2026. Status: verified. Last checked: 2026-08-02. https://thewisesenior.com/whats-new medicaid-ltc-nd-2026@2026-08-02 Sun, 02 Aug 2026 12:00:00 GMT North Dakota Health and Human Services, Medicaid Billing and Policy Manual — Nursing Facilities (updated April 2026), with the Department's Medicaid eligibility pages Source: https://www.hhs.nd.gov/sites/www/files/documents/medicaid-policies/nursing-facilities.pdf Effective year: 2026. Status: verified. Last checked: 2026-08-02. https://thewisesenior.com/whats-new medicaid-ltc-ne-2026@2026-08-02 Sun, 02 Aug 2026 12:00:00 GMT Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services, 477-000-012 — Income Levels/Federal Poverty Levels and Resources (figures effective 1/1/2026 unless noted) Source: https://dhhs.ne.gov/Documents/477-000-012.pdf Effective year: 2026. Status: verified. Last checked: 2026-08-02. https://thewisesenior.com/whats-new medicaid-ltc-nh-2026@2026-08-02 Sun, 02 Aug 2026 12:00:00 GMT New Hampshire Department of Health and Human Services, Bureau of Family Assistance Program Fact Sheet (07/2026), with the Bureau's Standard of Need release and New Hampshire administrative rules He-W 800 Source: https://www.dhhs.nh.gov/sites/g/files/ehbemt476/files/documents2/bfa-progam-fact-sheet.pdf Effective year: 2026. Status: verified. Last checked: 2026-08-02. https://thewisesenior.com/whats-new medicaid-ltc-ny-2026@2026-08-02 Sun, 02 Aug 2026 12:00:00 GMT New York State Department of Health, GIS 26 MA/05 Attachment 1 — New York State Income and Resource Standards for Non-MAGI Population, Effective January 1, 2026 Source: https://www.health.ny.gov/health_care/medicaid/publications/docs/gis/26ma05_att1.pdf Effective year: 2026. Status: verified. Last checked: 2026-08-02. https://thewisesenior.com/whats-new medicaid-ltc-ok-2026@2026-08-02 Sun, 02 Aug 2026 12:00:00 GMT Oklahoma Human Services, Appendix C-1 — Maximum Income, Resource, and Payment Standards (effective 7/1/2026) Source: https://oklahoma.gov/content/dam/ok/en/okdhs/documents/searchcenter/okdhsformresults/c-1.pdf Effective year: 2026. Status: verified. Last checked: 2026-08-02. https://thewisesenior.com/whats-new medicaid-ltc-or-2026@2026-08-02 Sun, 02 Aug 2026 12:00:00 GMT Oregon Department of Human Services, Oregon Programs Eligibility Notebook (OPEN), 100-13450 / DHS 2818 (04/2026) Source: https://www.oregon.gov/odhs/benefits/open/open-2026-04.pdf Effective year: 2026. Status: verified. Last checked: 2026-08-02. https://thewisesenior.com/whats-new medicaid-ltc-pa-2026@2026-08-02 Sun, 02 Aug 2026 12:00:00 GMT Pennsylvania Department of Human Services, Medical Assistance and payment of Long-Term Care, with Medicaid for Older People and People with Disabilities and Medicaid General Eligibility Source: https://www.pa.gov/agencies/dhs/resources/aging-physical-disabilities/medicaid-payment-long-term-care.html Effective year: 2026. Status: verified. Last checked: 2026-08-02. https://thewisesenior.com/whats-new medicaid-ltc-ri-2026@2026-08-02 Sun, 02 Aug 2026 12:00:00 GMT Rhode Island Executive Office of Health and Human Services, Medicaid Long-Term Services and Supports: Financial Eligibility, 210-RICR-50-00-6 Source: https://rules.sos.ri.gov/regulations/part/210-50-00-6 Effective year: 2026. Status: verified. Last checked: 2026-08-02. https://thewisesenior.com/whats-new medicaid-ltc-sd-2026@2026-08-02 Sun, 02 Aug 2026 12:00:00 GMT South Dakota Department of Social Services, South Dakota Medicaid Coverage Groups, with the Department's medical assistance application form EA-240 Source: https://dss.sd.gov/economicassistance/medical_programs.aspx Effective year: 2026. Status: verified. Last checked: 2026-08-02. https://thewisesenior.com/whats-new medicaid-ltc-tn-2026@2026-08-02 Sun, 02 Aug 2026 12:00:00 GMT Division of TennCare, Aged, Blind and Disabled Manual, Policy Manual Number 115.015 — Institutional Medicaid (updated January 5, 2026) Source: https://www.tn.gov/content/dam/tn/tenncare/documents/InstitutionalMedicaid.pdf Effective year: 2026. Status: verified. Last checked: 2026-08-02. https://thewisesenior.com/whats-new medicaid-ltc-tx-2026@2026-08-02 Sun, 02 Aug 2026 12:00:00 GMT Texas Health and Human Services, STAR+PLUS Handbook Appendix VIII, Monthly Income/Resource Limits — 2026 Income and Resource Reference Chart Source: https://www.hhs.texas.gov/handbooks/starplus-handbook/appendix-viii-monthly-incomeresource-limits Effective year: 2026. Status: verified. Last checked: 2026-08-02. https://thewisesenior.com/whats-new medicaid-ltc-va-2026@2026-08-02 Sun, 02 Aug 2026 12:00:00 GMT Virginia Department of Medical Assistance Services, Medicaid Eligibility Manual Chapter M00 Appendix — Income Charts (effective 2026-07-01), with manual chapter M14 and transmittal M1480.231 Spousal Resource Standards (effective 1-1-26) Source: https://www.dmas.virginia.gov/media/5pwpyn5o/chapter-m00-appendix-income-charts-2026-07-01.pdf Effective year: 2026. Status: verified. Last checked: 2026-08-02. https://thewisesenior.com/whats-new medicaid-ltc-wa-2026@2026-08-02 Sun, 02 Aug 2026 12:00:00 GMT Washington State Health Care Authority, HCA 19-0096 (07/26) — Washington Apple Health Income and Resource Standards, July 1, 2026, with WAC 182-513-1363 Source: https://www.hca.wa.gov/assets/free-or-low-cost/income-standards.pdf Effective year: 2026. Status: verified. Last checked: 2026-08-02. https://thewisesenior.com/whats-new medicaid-ltc-wi-2026@2026-08-02 Sun, 02 Aug 2026 12:00:00 GMT Wisconsin Department of Health Services, P-10063 (07/2026) Wisconsin Medicaid Spousal Impoverishment Protection, with P-10059 (01/2026) Home and Community-Based Services Waiver Programs and P-10058 (01/2026) Divestment Source: https://www.dhs.wisconsin.gov/publications/p1/p10063.pdf Effective year: 2026. Status: verified. Last checked: 2026-08-02. https://thewisesenior.com/whats-new medicare-part-a-2026@2026-08-02 Sun, 02 Aug 2026 12:00:00 GMT CMS fact sheet, "2026 Medicare Parts A & B Premiums and Deductibles" (November 14, 2025); cross-checked against MLN Matters MM14279, "Medicare Deductible, Coinsurance & Premium Rates: CY 2026 Update" (December 5, 2025) Source: https://www.cms.gov/newsroom/fact-sheets/2026-medicare-parts-b-premiums-deductibles Effective year: 2026. Status: verified. Last checked: 2026-08-02. https://thewisesenior.com/whats-new medigap-ma-facts-2026@2026-08-02 Sun, 02 Aug 2026 12:00:00 GMT Medicare.gov, "Compare Medigap plan benefits" (standardized plan letters, plans closed after January 1 2020, Plan K and L out-of-pocket limits); the Advantage out-of-pocket maximum is from CMS, "CY 2026 MOOP and Cost Sharing Limit Calculations" (https://www.cms.gov/files/zip/cy-2026-moop-and-cost-sharing-limit-calculations.zip), file CSV/MOOP Limits.csv, Table 1 row E Source: https://www.medicare.gov/health-drug-plans/medigap/basics/compare-plan-benefits Effective year: 2026. Status: verified. Last checked: 2026-08-02. https://thewisesenior.com/whats-new msp-2026@2026-08-02 Sun, 02 Aug 2026 12:00:00 GMT Medicare.gov, Medicare Savings Programs — 2026 monthly income and resource limits; Extra Help limits from Medicare.gov drug-cost help; poverty guidelines from HHS ASPE Source: https://www.medicare.gov/basics/costs/help/medicare-savings-programs Effective year: 2026. Status: verified. Last checked: 2026-08-02. https://thewisesenior.com/whats-new part-b-premium-2026@2026-08-02 Sun, 02 Aug 2026 12:00:00 GMT CMS fact sheet, "2026 Medicare Parts A & B Premiums and Deductibles" (released November 14, 2025); figures identical to the statutory notice CMS-8091-N, 90 FR 52063 (November 19, 2025) Source: https://www.cms.gov/newsroom/fact-sheets/2026-medicare-parts-b-premiums-deductibles Effective year: 2026. Status: verified. Last checked: 2026-08-02. https://thewisesenior.com/whats-new part-d-2026@2026-08-02 Sun, 02 Aug 2026 12:00:00 GMT CMS, "Annual Release of Part D National Average Monthly Bid Amount and Other Part C & D Bid Information" (July 28, 2025) for the national base beneficiary premium; CMS, "Final CY 2026 Part D Redesign Program Instructions" (https://www.cms.gov/files/document/final-cy-2026-part-d-redesign-program-instruction.pdf) for the defined-standard deductible and the annual out-of-pocket threshold Source: https://www.cms.gov/files/document/july-28-2025-parts-c-d-announcement.pdf Effective year: 2026. Status: verified. Last checked: 2026-08-02. https://thewisesenior.com/whats-new penalties-2026@2026-08-02 Sun, 02 Aug 2026 12:00:00 GMT Medicare.gov, "Avoid late enrollment penalties"; formulas cross-checked against MLN Matters MM14279, "Medicare Deductible, Coinsurance & Premium Rates: CY 2026 Update" (December 5, 2025) Source: https://www.medicare.gov/basics/costs/medicare-costs/avoid-penalties Effective year: 2026. Status: verified. Last checked: 2026-08-02.