How much does Medicare cost in 2026?

What does Medicare Part A cost in 2026?

Medicare Part A (hospital insurance) is premium-free for people who worked and paid Medicare taxes for at least 10 years (40 quarters), or whose spouse did. People who don't qualify can buy Part A for $311 a month (30 to 39 quarters of work) or $565 a month (fewer than 30 quarters) in 2026.

The Part A deductible is $1,736 for each benefit period in 2026. A benefit period starts the day you're admitted to a hospital or skilled nursing facility and ends when you've had no inpatient or skilled nursing care for 60 days in a row, so you can pay the deductible more than once a year. After 60 days in the hospital, you pay $434 a day for days 61 to 90 and $868 a day for up to 60 lifetime reserve days.

What does Medicare Part B cost in 2026?

The standard Medicare Part B premium is $202.90 a month in 2026, up from $185.00 in 2025. People whose income is above $109,000 (individual) or $218,000 (married filing jointly) pay more, an amount called IRMAA. Most people who get Social Security have the premium deducted from their monthly benefit.

After the $283 yearly deductible, you generally pay 20% of the Medicare-approved amount for doctor visits, outpatient care and medical equipment. Original Medicare has no yearly cap on that 20%, which is why many people add a Medigap policy or choose a Medicare Advantage plan. Many preventive services, such as the yearly wellness visit, cost nothing when your provider accepts Medicare's approved amount.

What does Medicare drug coverage (Part D) cost in 2026?

Each Medicare drug plan sets its own premium. In 2026, a plan's deductible can be no more than $615, and once your out-of-pocket spending on covered drugs reaches $2,100 you pay nothing more for covered drugs for the rest of the year. For 2027, those limits rise to $700 and $2,400. Covered insulin costs no more than $35 for a month's supply. More in Does Medicare cover prescription drugs?

What do Medicare Advantage and Medigap cost?

With a Medicare Advantage plan you keep paying the Part B premium, plus the plan's own premium if it charges one. Each plan sets its own deductibles and copays, up to a yearly out-of-pocket limit that CMS caps at $9,250 for in-network services in 2026 (plans may set a lower limit).

A Medigap (Medicare Supplement) policy has a monthly premium set by the insurance company, which depends on the plan letter, where you live and, in many states, your age. This site doesn't publish plan premiums; Medicare.gov's Medigap policy search lists the insurers in your area.

What changes for 2027?

• Part D: the out-of-pocket cap rises to $2,400 and the maximum deductible to $700.
• Part B: CMS has not announced the 2027 Part B premium and deductible yet; it usually does in the fall, often in November.
• Social Security benefits rise 3.6% in January 2027 (the cost-of-living adjustment); for most people the Part B premium is deducted from that payment.
• Medicare Advantage and Part D plans can change their premiums and benefits each year; your plan's Annual Notice of Change lists what changes on January 1, 2027.

How can I lower what I pay for Medicare?

If your income and savings are limited, Medicare Savings Programs and Extra Help can pay your Part B premium and lower drug costs. Signing up on time avoids late enrollment penalties that last as long as you have Medicare, and you can ask Social Security to lower IRMAA if your income dropped after a life-changing event such as retirement.