PART A
$1,736
Inpatient Hospital Deductible
The 2026 Part A inpatient hospital deductible applies per benefit period.
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UNDERSTANDING MEDICARE COSTS
Medicare Costs Are More Than a Monthly Premium.
Premiums, deductibles, coinsurance, prescriptions and the coverage option you choose can all affect what Medicare costs you throughout the year.
Understanding the full picture can help you compare your options more confidently and plan for healthcare expenses in retirement.
✓
Premiums
✓
Deductibles
✓
Out-of-Pocket Costs
$202.90
2026 Standard Part B Premium
$283
2026 Part B Deductible
20%
Typical Part B Coinsurance
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2026 MEDICARE COST SNAPSHOT
Original Medicare By the Numbers.
These are several of the major 2026 Original Medicare costs. Your actual total healthcare spending will depend on the services you use and any additional coverage you choose.
PART B
$202.90
Standard Monthly Premium
Most beneficiaries pay the standard Part B premium, although higher-income beneficiaries may pay more.
PART B
$283
Annual Deductible
The annual Part B deductible generally must be met before Medicare begins sharing the cost of many covered services.
PART B
20%
Typical Coinsurance
After meeting the Part B deductible, you generally pay 20% of the Medicare-approved amount for many covered services.
Part A is premium-free for most people.
Most beneficiaries do not pay a monthly Part A premium because
they or a spouse paid Medicare taxes long enough while working.
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WHAT ORIGINAL MEDICARE CAN COST
Part A and Part B Work Differently.
Hospital coverage and medical coverage each have their own premiums, deductibles and cost-sharing rules.
HOSPITAL INSURANCE
Medicare Part A
Premium
$0 for most people
Hospital Deductible
$1,736 per benefit period in 2026
Longer Hospital Stays
Daily coinsurance may apply after the first 60 days
of a Medicare-covered inpatient hospital stay.
Skilled Nursing
Cost sharing may apply for extended skilled nursing
facility stays.
MEDICAL INSURANCE
Medicare Part B
Monthly Premium
$202.90 standard premium in 2026
Annual Deductible
$283 in 2026
Coinsurance
Generally 20% for many Medicare-covered services
after the deductible.
Higher-Income Costs
IRMAA can increase monthly Part B premiums.
20%
YOUR SHARE
Medicare generally pays 80%
You generally pay 20%
✦
THE PART B COINSURANCE GAP
That 20% Can Matter.
After the Part B deductible, Original Medicare generally pays 80% of the Medicare-approved amount for many covered outpatient services, leaving you responsible for the remaining 20%.
The important part is that Original Medicare itself does not have a yearly out-of-pocket maximum. That means your total costs can depend heavily on how much healthcare you use during the year.
Original Medicare has no annual out-of-pocket maximum.
Supplemental coverage or Medicare Advantage can change
how your out-of-pocket exposure is structured.
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THE REST OF THE COST PICTURE
Your Medicare Costs Don't End With Parts A and B.
Prescription coverage, supplemental coverage and the way you choose to receive Medicare can all affect your monthly and annual healthcare costs.
Part D
Standalone prescription drug plans can have their own premiums, deductibles and medication cost sharing.
Medicare Advantage
Medicare Advantage plans may have premiums, copays, coinsurance and a yearly maximum on covered Medicare services.
Medicare Supplement
Medigap policies have a monthly premium but can help cover certain out-of-pocket costs left by Original Medicare.
Medicare MSA
MSA plans combine a high-deductible Medicare Advantage plan with a plan-funded savings account.
Hospital Indemnity
Some people use additional coverage to help manage certain hospital-related out-of-pocket expenses.
Your Healthcare Use
The doctors you see, prescriptions you take and services you need can ultimately have the biggest impact on total spending.
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WHEN INCOME AFFECTS MEDICARE COSTS
What Is IRMAA?
Higher-income Medicare beneficiaries may pay an additional amount on top of their Part B and Part D costs. Use the estimator below to see how the 2026 IRMAA rules may apply based on your 2024 income.
Income-Related Monthly Adjustment Amount
IRMAA is an additional Medicare premium amount that may apply to Medicare Part B and Part D based on modified adjusted gross income.
Medicare Generally Looks Back Two Years
For 2026 Medicare premiums, Social Security generally uses income reported on your 2024 federal tax return.
A Major Income Change Can Matter
Retirement or certain other qualifying life-changing events may allow you to request a new IRMAA determination.
2026 QUICK FACTS
Standard Part B Premium
$202.90
Highest Part B Premium
$689.90
Highest Part D IRMAA
$91.00
2026 IRMAA ESTIMATOR
Estimate Your Medicare Income Adjustment
Enter your filing status and 2024 modified adjusted gross income to estimate your 2026 Medicare IRMAA.
$
Medicare generally uses income from two years earlier.
MAGI generally starts with Adjusted Gross Income and includes
certain tax-exempt interest used for Medicare IRMAA calculations.
Your Estimate Will Appear Here
Enter your filing status and 2024 income, then select Calculate My 2026 IRMAA.
This calculator provides an estimate only.
Social Security determines your actual IRMAA using tax information supplied by the IRS. Your Part D plan premium is separate from the Part D IRMAA shown here. Filing status, tax circumstances and qualifying life-changing events may affect your actual Medicare premiums.
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LOOK BEYOND THE PREMIUM
The Lowest Premium Isn't Always the Lowest Total Cost.
A plan can look inexpensive on the surface and still become costly depending on prescriptions, copays, provider use and other out-of-pocket expenses.
That's why we compare more than the monthly premium. We look at how the coverage may actually work based on the healthcare you expect to use.
✓ Premiums
✓ Deductibles
✓ Copays & Coinsurance
✓ Prescription Costs
✓ Provider Usage
✓ Out-of-Pocket Exposure
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COMPLIMENTARY 2027 MEDICARE GUIDE
Want the Big Picture?
Understanding what Medicare may cost is about more than just the monthly premium. See how premiums, deductibles, copays, coinsurance and other costs fit into the bigger Medicare picture.
Our complimentary Understanding Medicare — 2027 Edition guide walks you through Medicare in clear, straightforward language.
✓
Medicare Costs Explained
Understand premiums, deductibles and cost sharing.
✓
Coverage Options Compared
See how Medicare choices can change your cost structure.
✓
Helpful Planning Information
Build a clearer picture of retirement healthcare costs.
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LET'S LOOK AT YOUR NUMBERS
What Could Medicare Actually Cost You?
Medicare costs are personal. Your income, medications, healthcare use and coverage choices all affect the final picture.
We'll help you compare the major cost factors so you can understand your options before making a decision.
No cost. No obligation. Just clear Medicare guidance.
WE'LL HELP YOU REVIEW
$
Monthly Premiums
%
Deductibles & Coinsurance
Rx
Prescription Costs
✓
Total Cost Exposure
We may not offer every plan available in your area. Any information we provide is limited to those plans we do offer in your area. Please contact Medicare.gov or 1-800-MEDICARE to get information on all of your options.