2025-21879Notice

Medicare Ups Stakes: $200 Minimum for Judge Hearings in 2026

Published Date: 12/4/2025

Notice

Summary

Starting January 1, 2026, Medicare is raising the minimum dollar amounts needed to appeal decisions. If you want a hearing with an Administrative Law Judge, your dispute must be at least $200, and for judicial review, it’s $1,960. This change affects anyone dealing with Medicare Part A, B, C, or D appeals and helps keep up with rising medical costs.

Analyzed Economic Effects

2 provisions identified: 0 benefits, 2 costs, 0 mixed.

Higher ALJ Hearing Dollar Threshold

You will need at least $200 in dispute to get a hearing with an Administrative Law Judge for Medicare appeals starting January 1, 2026. This raises the ALJ threshold from $190 for CY 2025 to $200 for CY 2026 and applies to Medicare Parts A, B, C (Medicare Advantage), and D appeals.

Raised Judicial Review Threshold

You must have at least $1,960 in dispute to seek judicial review of a Medicare appeal starting January 1, 2026. This raises the judicial-review threshold from $1,900 for CY 2025 to $1,960 for CY 2026 and applies to Medicare Parts A, B, C (Medicare Advantage), and D appeals.

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Key Dates

Published Date
Effective Date
12/4/2025
1/1/2026

Department and Agencies

Department
Independent Agency
Agency
Health and Human Services Department
Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services
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