2026 Medicare Costs: Part B Premium, Deductibles & What You'll Pay
What Medicare costs in 2026: the Part B premium ($202.90), Part A, Part B, and Part D deductibles, coinsurance, and the new Part D out-of-pocket cap, explained.
In 2026, the standard Medicare Part B premium is $202.90/month and the Part B deductible is $283/year. Most people pay $0 for Part A. Your total cost depends on which parts you have, your income (which can raise your Part B and Part D premiums through IRMAA), and whether you add a Medicare Advantage, Part D, or Medigap plan.
Here is the full 2026 cost breakdown.
Medicare Part A costs (hospital)
Most people get premium-free Part A because they (or a spouse) paid Medicare taxes for at least 10 years (40 quarters). If you do not qualify, the 2026 monthly premium is $311 (30 to 39 quarters) or $565 (fewer than 30 quarters).
Even with premium-free Part A, you share the cost of a hospital stay:
| Part A (2026) | You pay |
|---|---|
| Inpatient hospital deductible | $1,736 per benefit period |
| Hospital days 1 to 60 | $0 coinsurance (after deductible) |
| Hospital days 61 to 90 | $434 per day |
| Lifetime reserve days (91 and beyond) | $868 per day |
| Skilled nursing facility, days 1 to 20 | $0 |
| Skilled nursing facility, days 21 to 100 | $217 per day |
The deductible is per benefit period, not per year, so more than one hospital stay in a year can mean paying it more than once.
Medicare Part B costs (medical)
| Part B (2026) | Amount |
|---|---|
| Standard monthly premium | $202.90 |
| Annual deductible | $283 |
| Coinsurance after deductible | 20% of the Medicare-approved amount |
The standard premium rose from $185.00 in 2025 to $202.90/month in 2026. Higher earners pay more: if your 2024 income was above $109,000 (single) or $218,000 (joint), an IRMAA surcharge is added on top. See the full 2026 IRMAA brackets. For most people the Part B premium is deducted automatically from their Social Security check.
Medicare Part D costs (prescription drugs)
| Part D (2026) | Amount |
|---|---|
| Maximum standard deductible | $615 |
| Annual out-of-pocket cap | $2,100 |
| High-income surcharge (IRMAA) | Added to your plan premium |
The biggest Part D story is the out-of-pocket cap: once your covered drug spending hits $2,100 in 2026, you pay $0 for covered drugs the rest of the year. Monthly premiums vary by plan, and higher earners pay a Part D IRMAA surcharge on top (see the IRMAA brackets).
Medicare Advantage (Part C) and Medigap costs
- Medicare Advantage: many plans have a $0 monthly premium, but you still pay your Part B premium, plus copays and a plan out-of-pocket maximum. Compare plans in your area.
- Medigap (Medicare Supplement): a separate monthly premium (often $100 to $300 or more depending on the plan letter, your age, and location) that covers much of Original Medicare's out-of-pocket costs. See the pros and cons of Medicare Supplement.
Source and date: all figures are the official 2026 amounts released by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) on November 14, 2025. This page updates each fall when CMS releases new numbers.
Common questions about Medicare costs
How much does Medicare cost in 2026? Most people pay the standard Part B premium of $202.90/month per month and $0 for Part A. On top of that you may pay a Part D or Medicare Advantage plan premium, deductibles, and cost-sharing.
Is Medicare Part A free? It is premium-free for most people who worked and paid Medicare taxes for at least 10 years. You still pay the hospital deductible and coinsurance when you are admitted.
What is the 2026 Part B premium? $202.90/month per month for most people. Higher earners pay more through IRMAA.
Is there a cap on drug costs? Yes. In 2026, once you spend $2,100 out of pocket on covered Part D drugs, you pay nothing more for them that year.
Want to know what you'll actually pay for your situation, and whether a plan can lower it? A licensed Medicare Advocate can review your costs with you at no cost. Give us a call.