Health Care Literacy

Personal health care literacy is your ability to find, understand, and use medical information to make informed decisions. It involves being familiar with health care basics and navigating the system effectively. According to the National Assessment of Adult Literacy, there are four literacy levels:

Proficient: These individuals can handle complex tasks, understand detailed written materials, and follow treatment plans effectively.

Intermediate: People at this level can understand moderately complex documents and draw reasonable conclusions from charts or drug labels.

Basic: This group handles simple tasks, such as reading short brochures, but may struggle with complex concepts or treatment plans.

Below Basic: Individuals at this level have limited skills and often find it difficult to navigate the health care environment, though they may understand basic forms or simple instructions.

Why literacy matters: Low health literacy is linked to poorer health outcomes, higher use of emergency services, and an inability to predict health care costs. It can also lead to seeing the wrong provider or paying more for care than necessary

5 Biggest Changes to Medicare in 2026

Significant updates are coming to Medicare in 2026, primarily affecting prescription drug costs and plan regulations. The Part D out-of-pocket maximum will rise to $2,100, while a federal negotiation program will slash prices for ten specific high-cost medications. Residents in six states will encounter a new prior authorization pilot program for certain medical services to combat potential fraud. Additionally, the government is introducing a special election period for those who selected a Medicare Advantage plan based on inaccurate online directory data. Overall, beneficiaries should prepare for higher standard premiums and deductibles despite these targeted savings and new consumer protections.