Carla Romagnano knows the weight of caregiving all too well. The Idaho resident is struggling to balance her full-time day job as a bookkeeper and hiring manager, with caring for her 83-year-old mother, also full-time, who has dementia.
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The dual responsibility seems to have left Romagnano physically, emotionally and financially drained. She’s already poured thousands from her own funds into her mother’s care, and the situation is about to get worse, as her mother’s long-term care insurance is nearly depleted.
Without that coverage, Romagnano faces the daunting challenge of paying for part-time caregiving and medical expenses out of her own pocket.
"My mom always comes first, but I’m exhausted," Romagnano told Scripps News (1). "I’m constantly worried and wondering if I’m doing the right thing. I’m trying to do the best I can with the knowledge I have and am trying to stretch her money so she can enjoy life right now."
She’s not alone. The 63 million caregivers in America are quietly shouldering the financial burden of holes in the country’s system for elderly care.
And for the second consecutive year, major Medicare changes arriving next year threaten to widen those gaps considerably.
With family caregivers already spending over $7,200 per year (26% of their income) on average out of their own pockets, according to AARP (2), many will be strongly impacted by these changes.
“Caregivers are the invisible backbone of our broken long-term care system and economy, and too many are paying the price out of their own pockets, risking their own financial security by taking on more debt, using up savings, and leaving bills unpaid,” said Nancy LeaMond, AARP chief advocacy and engagement officer, in a statement last month.
Medicare’s 2026 changes & their financial burden
It was recently announced that the standard monthly premium for Medicare Part B, which covers things like physicians’ services, outpatient hospital services, certain home health services, and durable medical equipment and is automatically deducted from Social Security, is rising by $17.90 in 2026 to $202.90.
USA Today reported it’s “the second largest dollar jump in program history behind 2022’s $21.60 gain and almost 3.5 times the 2.8% Social Security raise for next year (3).”
The annual deductible for Part B beneficiaries is increasing by $26 to $283 in 2026. Maximum Part D prescription drug deductibles will rise to $615, an increase from $590.
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Medicare Advantage plans, covering roughly half of all Medicare beneficiaries, are implementing significant modifications affecting millions of caregivers. Perhaps most concerning, Medicare Advantage plans are tightening access to supplemental benefits that were previously standard. Benefits like transportation to medical appointments and home-delivered meals after hospital stays — which many caregivers may depend on — are being scaled back or eliminated entirely, according to Medicare.org (4). There are also new limits on special supplemental benefits for the chronically ill on Medicare Advantage.
Additionally, a new Medicare prior authorization pilot program launches in 2026 for certain medical devices and procedures in six states: Arizona, New Jersey, Ohio, Oklahoma, Texas and Washington. Families in these states will need Medicare plan approval before certain treatments are covered, creating a lengthy process when caring for someone with urgent medical needs.
Why these changes hit caregivers hardest
The Medicare modifications will disproportionately impact caregivers’ ability to afford continuing care in several ways.
For one, prior authorization requirements add bureaucratic hurdles when time is critical. Jayla Sanchez-Warren, director of the Area Agency on Aging for the Denver Regional Council of Governments, told Scripps News that navigating this enrollment season has been particularly challenging.In the past, federal resources would have provided training at a state level, but due to federal layoffs and government disruptions, that didn’t happen.
Plus, the elimination of transportation and meal benefits means caregivers must either provide these services themselves, meaning taking time away from work, or pay out of pocket. For families already spending over a quarter of their income on caregiving, these additional costs can be devastating.
"It is a difficult time to be a caregiver, no question about it," Sanchez-Warren said. "It’s emotional, it’s physical. It’s always been a financial strain, but not to this level."
Help is available — if you know where to look
Despite the challenges, community resources exist to support struggling caregivers, and they’re worth seeking out. Local agencies for those aging offer connections to support groups, transportation assistance and guidance on transitioning to senior living facilities.
The State Health Insurance Assistance Program provides unbiased Medicare advice in every state from trained counselors who can help you understand options and compare plans. The nonprofit Medicare Rights Center also hosts a national helpline at 1-800-333-4114 for free assistance.
And Medicare.gov offers a comparison tool allowing you to explore options and evaluate plans based on your medications, preferred providers and healthcare needs.
Legislative push for caregiver relief
Recognizing the unsustainable burden on family caregivers, bipartisan federal legislation could provide significant relief if passed.
The Credit for Caring Act, reintroduced in March 2025, would create a federal tax credit of up to $5,000 for working family caregivers but has stalled in Congress.
The legislation has broad support from AARP, the Alzheimer’s Association, Alzheimer’s Impact Movement, the Home Care Association of America and other groups.
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Article sources
We rely only on vetted sources and credible third-party reporting. For details, see our editorial ethics and guidelines.
Scripps News (1); AARP (2); USA Today (3); Medicare.org (4)
This article provides information only and should not be construed as advice. It is provided without warranty of any kind.