Reference — Updated Annually
Medicare Costs 2026
Medicare costs change every year. This page has the current numbers for 2026 — Part A, Part B, Part D, and the IRMAA income brackets that affect higher earners. Bookmark it. It gets updated each fall when CMS releases the next year's figures.
Part A — Hospital Insurance
Most people pay $0 per month for Part A if they or a spouse worked and paid Medicare taxes for at least 10 years (40 quarters). If you don't qualify for premium-free Part A, you'll pay a monthly premium.
| Cost Item | 2026 Amount |
|---|---|
| Monthly premium (30–39 quarters worked) | $311/month |
| Monthly premium (fewer than 30 quarters worked) | $565/month |
| Inpatient hospital deductible (per benefit period) | $1,736 |
| Hospital coinsurance — days 1–60 | $0 |
| Hospital coinsurance — days 61–90 | $434/day |
| Hospital coinsurance — lifetime reserve days | $868/day |
| Skilled nursing facility — days 1–20 | $0 |
| Skilled nursing facility — days 21–100 | $217/day |
| Skilled nursing facility — beyond day 100 | All costs |
There is no out-of-pocket maximum for Original Medicare Part A. Each new benefit period resets your deductible. This is a primary reason many people add a Medigap supplement.
Part B — Medical Insurance
Part B covers doctor visits, outpatient care, preventive services, and durable medical equipment. Nearly everyone pays the standard monthly premium — higher earners pay more via IRMAA (see below).
| Cost Item | 2026 Amount |
|---|---|
| Standard monthly premium | $202.90 |
| Annual deductible | $283 |
| Coinsurance after deductible | 20% of Medicare-approved amount |
After you meet the annual deductible, you pay 20% of covered services. With no out-of-pocket maximum on Original Medicare, a serious illness can mean significant exposure — this is what Medigap covers.
IRMAA — Part B Surcharges
IRMAA (Income-Related Monthly Adjustment Amount) is an extra charge added to your Part B premium if your income exceeds certain thresholds. It's based on your tax return from two years prior — so 2026 IRMAA is based on your 2024 income.
If your income dropped significantly due to retirement, marriage, divorce, or death of a spouse, you can appeal your IRMAA using SSA Form SSA-44.
| 2024 Individual Income | 2024 Joint Income | 2026 Monthly Part B Premium |
|---|---|---|
| $109,000 or less | $218,000 or less | $202.90 |
| $109,001 – $133,000 | $218,001 – $266,000 | $259.00 |
| $133,001 – $167,000 | $266,001 – $334,000 | $370.00 |
| $167,001 – $200,000 | $334,001 – $400,000 | $481.00 |
| $200,001 – $500,000 | $400,001 – $750,000 | $554.00 |
| Above $500,000 | Above $750,000 | $628.90 |
Part D — Prescription Drug Coverage
Part D plans are sold by private insurers approved by Medicare. Premiums vary by plan and location. The figures below are benchmarks — your specific plan may differ.
The biggest Part D news for 2026: the out-of-pocket cap is now $2,100 per year, thanks to the Inflation Reduction Act. Once you hit $2,100 in drug costs for the year, your plan covers 100% for the rest of the year.
| Cost Item | 2026 Amount |
|---|---|
| National base beneficiary premium | $38.99/month |
| Maximum annual deductible | $615 |
| Out-of-pocket cap (catastrophic threshold) | $2,100/year |
The national base premium is used to calculate late enrollment penalties — not what most people pay. Your actual premium depends on the specific plan you choose. Always compare plans during AEP using the Medicare Plan Finder.
IRMAA — Part D Surcharges
Higher earners also pay an IRMAA surcharge on Part D, in addition to their plan premium. Like Part B IRMAA, it's based on income from two years prior.
| 2024 Individual Income | 2024 Joint Income | 2026 Monthly Part D Surcharge |
|---|---|---|
| $109,000 or less | $218,000 or less | $0 |
| $109,001 – $133,000 | $218,001 – $266,000 | $13.70 |
| $133,001 – $167,000 | $266,001 – $334,000 | $35.30 |
| $167,001 – $200,000 | $334,001 – $400,000 | $57.00 |
| $200,001 – $500,000 | $400,001 – $750,000 | $78.60 |
| Above $500,000 | Above $750,000 | $85.80 |
The Part D surcharge is billed by Medicare separately from your plan premium. You'll see it on your Social Security statement or pay it directly to Medicare if you don't receive Social Security benefits yet.
What changes every year
CMS typically announces the next year's figures in the fall — usually October or November — just before the Annual Enrollment Period closes. Here's what can change:
- Part B standard premium
- Part A deductible and coinsurance amounts
- Part B annual deductible
- IRMAA income thresholds and surcharge amounts
- Part D base beneficiary premium and maximum deductible
- Part D out-of-pocket cap (currently $2,100 per year, with future adjustments possible)
The Retiree Report newsletter publishes updated figures each fall. Subscribe free to get them as soon as they're released.
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