How Much Does Medicare Cost in 2026? Premiums, Deductibles & Out-of-Pocket

Medicare Part A Costs: Hospital Insurance

Part A covers inpatient hospital stays, skilled nursing facility care, hospice, and some home health. For most people it is premium-free — if you or your spouse paid Medicare taxes for at least 40 quarters (about 10 years).

With 30–39 quarters, the 2026 Part A premium is $311/month; with fewer than 30 quarters, it is $565/month.

Even premium-free, Part A has costs: a $1,736 deductible per benefit period in 2026 (a benefit period resets after you have been out of the hospital 60 days), then coinsurance of $434/day for days 61–90 and $868/day for lifetime reserve days. Skilled nursing is $0 for days 1–20, then $217.50/day for days 21–100.

Medicare Part B Costs and the IRMAA Surcharge

Part B covers doctor visits, outpatient care, preventive services, and durable medical equipment. Almost everyone pays a premium — $202.90/month in 2026 — usually deducted from Social Security.

There is also a $283 annual deductible in 2026. After it, Medicare pays 80% of approved costs and you pay 20%, with no cap unless you have supplemental coverage.

Higher earners pay IRMAA — an Income-Related Monthly Adjustment Amount — based on income from two years prior (2024 for 2026). Surcharges can add roughly $70 to over $400/month. If your income dropped after retirement, you can request a reconsideration from Social Security. Confirm current IRMAA brackets at Medicare.gov.

Medicare Part D Costs: Prescription Drug Coverage

Part D is offered by private insurers, so costs vary by plan and location. The average stand-alone plan premium in 2026 is around $34–35/month, but individual plans range from near $0 to over $100.

The maximum allowed deductible in 2026 is $615; some plans charge less or nothing. A major 2026 protection under the Inflation Reduction Act: out-of-pocket drug costs are capped at $2,100 per year — once you hit it, covered drugs cost $0 for the rest of the year.

Higher earners also pay a Part D IRMAA surcharge, separate from Part B. Check Medicare.gov for current figures.

Medicare Advantage (Part C) Costs

Medicare Advantage bundles hospital, medical, and usually drug coverage through a private insurer. The average premium in 2026 is about $14/month, and many plans are $0 — but you still pay your $202.90 Part B premium.

Beyond premium, you pay copays, coinsurance, and deductibles when you use care. The key protection is the annual out-of-pocket maximum — capped at $9,250 for in-network care in 2026 (plans can set lower). Once you reach it, the plan covers 100% of covered services for the rest of the year.

Costs vary significantly by plan, insurer, and county — always compare specific plans at Medicare.gov or call 1-800-MEDICARE.

Medigap (Medicare Supplement) Costs

Medigap policies fill Original Medicare's cost gaps (Part A deductible, Part B coinsurance, excess charges). They do not work with Medicare Advantage.

Premiums vary by plan letter, age, location, and insurer. Plans G and N are among the most popular; high-deductible versions offer lower premiums. Plan K and L cap your annual out-of-pocket.

Buy during your 6-month Medigap Open Enrollment Period (starting the month you turn 65 and enroll in Part B), when insurers cannot deny you or charge more for health conditions. Outside it, underwriting rules vary by state. Compare at Medicare.gov or through SHIP.

How to Lower Your Medicare Costs

If your income and resources are limited, programs can dramatically reduce what you pay.

Extra Help (the Low-Income Subsidy) helps pay Part D costs — it can eliminate the premium, waive the deductible, and cap drug copays. Apply through Social Security at ssa.gov.

Medicare Savings Programs (MSPs) — QMB, SLMB, QI, QDWI — help pay Part B premiums and sometimes more; qualifying also enrolls you in Extra Help. Contact your state Medicaid office or Medicare.gov.

Other options: choose a lower-cost plan during AEP (Oct 15 – Dec 7), get free help from a SHIP counselor, and ask your doctor about generics or manufacturer assistance.

Where to Verify Current Medicare Costs

Medicare costs are updated each year, announced in the fall and effective January 1. The figures here reflect official 2026 amounts published by CMS in November 2025.

Because costs change annually and plan-level costs vary by location, always verify the latest at Medicare.gov or by calling 1-800-MEDICARE (1-800-633-4227), TTY 1-877-486-2048. Free local counseling is available through SHIP at shiphelp.org.