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What Does Medicare Cost?
The 2026 numbers for Parts A, B, C, and D, plus what higher incomes pay.
Medicare is not free. What you pay comes from three places: monthly premiums, annual deductibles, and your share of each service through copays and coinsurance. Here is the full 2026 picture so nothing catches you off guard.
Part A: Hospital Insurance
Most people pay no premium for Part A. The costs that do apply show up when you are admitted.
| Cost | 2026 Amount |
|---|---|
| Monthly premium | $0 for most people. If you have fewer than 30 quarters of work history, it is $565 per month, and $311 per month with 30 to 39 quarters. |
| Deductible | $1,736 per benefit period |
| Hospital days 1–60 | $0 coinsurance |
| Hospital days 61–90 | $434 per day |
| Lifetime reserve days | $868 per day |
| Skilled nursing days 21–100 | $217 per day |
A benefit period starts the day you are admitted and ends once you have been out for 60 days in a row. More than one in a year means paying the deductible more than once.
Part B: Medical Insurance
Everyone on Part B pays a premium, and it is deducted from your Social Security benefit if you receive one.
| Cost | 2026 Amount |
|---|---|
| Standard monthly premium | $202.90, and higher at higher incomes |
| Annual deductible | $283 |
| Coinsurance | Generally 20 percent of the Medicare-approved amount, with no annual cap |
Part D: Prescription Drug Coverage
Part D is sold by private carriers, so the premium depends on the plan you choose and where you live. Two limits are set nationally.
Up to $615
That is the highest a plan may charge in 2026. Many plans set theirs lower, and some waive it on certain drug tiers.
$2,100 per year
Once your out-of-pocket spending on covered drugs reaches this amount, you pay nothing more for covered prescriptions for the rest of the year.
Varies by plan
Premiums differ by plan and ZIP code, and higher incomes pay a surcharge on top. The right plan depends on the specific drugs you take.
Help is available if money is tight
Extra Help is a federal program that lowers Part D costs for people with limited income and resources. Many who qualify never apply. If your budget is a concern, it is worth asking whether you are eligible before you settle on a plan.
Medicare Advantage: Part C
Advantage plans bundle Parts A and B, usually add Part D, and set their own cost structure within federal limits.
| Cost | 2026 Details |
|---|---|
| Monthly premium | Many plans are $0. You continue paying your Part B premium either way. |
| Out-of-pocket maximum | Every plan must set one. In 2026 the federal limit is $9,250 for in-network care, and $13,900 combined for plans that cover out-of-network care. |
| Copays and coinsurance | Set by the plan and vary by service, so two plans with the same premium can cost very differently in a heavy year. |
| Extra benefits | May include dental, vision, hearing, fitness, and over-the-counter allowances. |
A $0 premium does not mean a $0 plan. What matters is the out-of-pocket maximum and the copays on the services you actually use.
If Your Income Is Higher, You Pay More
The surcharge is called the Income-Related Monthly Adjustment Amount, or IRMAA. It applies to both Part B and Part D and is based on the tax return from two years earlier, so your 2026 premium reflects your 2024 income.
| Individual income (2024) | Married filing jointly (2024) | Part B premium | Part D surcharge |
|---|---|---|---|
| $109,000 or less | $218,000 or less | $202.90 | $0 |
| Above $109,000 to $137,000 | Above $218,000 to $274,000 | $284.10 | $14.50 |
| Above $137,000 to $171,000 | Above $274,000 to $342,000 | $405.80 | $37.50 |
| Above $171,000 to $205,000 | Above $342,000 to $410,000 | $527.50 | $60.40 |
| Above $205,000 to $500,000 | Above $410,000 to $750,000 | $649.20 | $83.30 |
| $500,000 and above | $750,000 and above | $689.90 | $91.00 |
If your income has dropped since that tax year because you retired, sold a business, or lost a spouse, you can ask Social Security to reconsider using a life-changing event form. Many people pay a surcharge for a year without realizing they could appeal it.
The Costs People Forget to Count
The premiums above are only part of the picture. A few other line items decide what a year really costs you.
A Medicare Supplement plan carries its own premium, priced by your age, ZIP code, and the lettered plan you choose. Late enrollment penalties get added to your premium permanently. And routine dental, vision, and hearing care are not covered by Original Medicare at all, so those bills either come out of pocket or come through a Medicare Advantage plan that includes them.
Worth budgeting for
- Medicare Supplement premiums, if you choose that route
- Late enrollment penalties for Part B or Part D
- Routine dental, vision, and hearing care
- Prescriptions before you reach the annual cap
Keep Learning About Medicare
Medicare TPMO Compliance Statement
Complete Family Protection is not connected with or endorsed by any government entity or the federal Medicare program. Complete Family Protection represents Medicare Advantage HMO, PPO, and PFFS organizations, as well as standalone prescription drug plans that have a Medicare contract. Enrollment depends on the plan's contract renewal. We have access to plan information nationwide and can help you search among many options, but we do not offer every plan available in your area. We search and recommend plans even when we do not directly offer them. Contact a licensed Complete Family Protection agent to find out the number of products available in your specific area. You may also contact Medicare.gov or 1-800-MEDICARE to get information on all of your options.