2026 Medicare Cost Master Table
Here are all Medicare costs for 2026 in one place:
| Part/Component | Monthly Premium | Annual Deductible | Copay/Coinsurance |
|---|---|---|---|
| Part A (Hospital) | $0 (most) | $1,716/benefit period | $0–$858/day (days 91+) depending on days hospitalized |
| Part B (Medical) | $206.50 | $257 | 20% copay (preventive: 0%) |
| Part D (Drugs) | $40–50 (avg) | Up to $560 | $5–$1,000+ depending on drug tier |
| Medigap Plan G | $150–250 | None | Covers most gaps |
| Medicare Advantage (avg) | $0–50 | Varies | Varies; capped at ~$7,550/year |
Part-by-Part Cost Breakdown
Part A (Hospital Insurance)
- Premium: $0/month for most (40+ work quarters). $285/month for 30–39 quarters. $518/month for <30 quarters.
- Deductible: $1,676 per benefit period (not per year—resets after 60 days without hospitalization).
- Hospital copay: Days 1–60: $0. Days 61–90: $419/day. Days 91–150 (lifetime reserve): $838/day.
- SNF copay: Days 1–20: $0. Days 21–100: $209.50/day.
Part B (Medical Insurance)
- Premium: $185/month (standard rate for most beneficiaries).
- Deductible: $257/year (applies once, then 20% copay).
- Copay: 20% of Medicare-approved amount after deductible (doctor visits, imaging, therapy).
- Preventive services: 0% (fully covered): annual wellness, colonoscopy, mammogram, flu shots, etc.
Part D (Prescription Drugs)
- Premium: $40–50/month average (varies significantly by plan and location).
- Deductible: $0–560 depending on plan.
- Copay structure: Tier 1 (generic): $5–15. Tier 2 (preferred brand): $50–100. Tier 3 (non-preferred): $150–300. Tier 4+ (specialty): $300–$1,000+.
- Out-of-pocket cap: $2,000/year. After hitting $2,000, Medicare covers 95% of remaining costs.
- Late enrollment penalty: 1% of national base premium per month (~$0.60/month per month delayed).
Medigap (Supplemental Insurance)
- Plan G premium: $120–300+/month (varies by age, state, insurer).
- Plan N premium: $100–200+/month (slightly cheaper but with small copays).
- What they cover: Part A deductible, Part B copays/coinsurance, excess charges, skilled nursing copays, and more.
Medicare Advantage (Part C)
- Premium: $0–50+/month (varies widely; often advertised as $0).
- Deductible: $0–$300+ (varies by plan).
- Out-of-pocket maximum: $7,550/year for in-network (2026). Out-of-network varies; some plans don't cover out-of-network except emergencies.
- Extras often included: Dental (limited), vision (limited), hearing (limited), fitness, meal delivery.
IRMAA: Income-Related Monthly Adjustment Amount (Critical for Higher Earners)
If you have higher income, Medicare charges a surcharge on Parts B and D. For 2026:
| Modified Adjusted Gross Income (Individual) | Modified Adjusted Gross Income (Joint) | Part B Surcharge | Part D Surcharge |
|---|---|---|---|
| Up to $106,000 | Up to $212,000 | $0 | $0 |
| $106,001–$133,000 | $212,001–$266,000 | +$74 | +$12 |
| $133,001–$167,000 | $266,001–$334,000 | +$185 | +$30 |
| $167,001–$200,000 | $334,001–$400,000 | +$296 | +$51 |
| >$200,000 | >$400,000 | +$370 | +$76 |
IRMAA uses your tax return from 2 years prior. If you had a major life event (retirement, divorce, death of spouse), you can request an exception. See our tax planning guide for IRMAA mitigation strategies.
Annual Cost Estimate: What Medicare Actually Costs You
Scenario 1: Original Medicare + Medigap (Plan N), Standard Income
Assumptions: Age 65, income $80,000/year (no IRMAA), one doctor visit/year, basic preventive care, one chronic medication (generic).
- Part B premium: $206.50 × 12 = $2,478
- Medigap Plan N premium: $150 × 12 = $1,800
- Part D premium: $45 × 12 = $540
- Out-of-pocket (copays, deductibles): ~$400
- Total annual: ~$5,218
Scenario 2: Medicare Advantage, Healthy 65-Year-Old
Assumptions: Age 65, very healthy, minimal healthcare use, one preventive visit/year.
- Part B premium: $206.50 × 12 = $2,478
- Advantage premium: $0 × 12 = $0
- Out-of-pocket copays: ~$0–200
- Total annual: ~$2,478–2,678
Scenario 3: Original Medicare + Medigap, Higher Income ($150,000/year)
Assumptions: Age 70, income triggers IRMAA, multiple chronic conditions, more doctor visits.
- Part B premium: $206.50 + $185 (IRMAA 2nd tier) = $391.50/month × 12 = $4,698
- Medigap Plan G premium: $200 × 12 = $2,400
- Part D premium: $45 + $30 (IRMAA) = $75/month × 12 = $900
- Out-of-pocket: ~$600
- Total annual: ~$8,598
Budget Planning: Medicare as a Line Item
For retirement budget planning, assume Medicare will cost:
- Healthy person in Advantage: $2,500–3,500/year
- Average person in Original + Medigap: $5,000–7,000/year
- Higher income in Original + Medigap: $8,000–12,000+/year (depending on IRMAA)
Don't forget: These estimates don't include dental, vision, or hearing care (not covered by Medicare). Budget $2,000–5,000/year additionally if you need these services.
Cost Comparison: Original + Medigap vs. Medicare Advantage
| Health Status | Original + Medigap Annual Cost | Medicare Advantage Annual Cost | Winner (By Cost) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Very Healthy | $4,500–5,500 | $2,200–2,500 | Advantage (20–30% cheaper) |
| Average | $5,500–6,500 | $3,000–4,500 | Advantage (20–30% cheaper) |
| High Healthcare Use/Chronic Conditions | $5,500–7,000 | $4,000–7,500 (with higher out-of-pocket) | Break even or Original (depends on plan) |
The Bottom Line on Costs
Medicare Advantage is cheaper for healthy people. Original Medicare + Medigap costs more but offers flexibility and predictability. For people with complex healthcare needs, Original + Medigap prevents catastrophic out-of-pocket costs (Medigap caps them), while Advantage caps are $7,550 (2026).
Plan your Medicare budget carefully, include it in retirement calculations, and don't underestimate it. Most Americans are surprised by how much Medicare actually costs once all premiums and out-of-pocket expenses are added up.
Get a personalized Medicare cost estimate.
Our tools can calculate exact costs for your specific situation, income level, and health profile.
Estimate Your Medicare Costs →Sources & References
- CMS 2026 Premium & Deductible Final Announcement — Official Part A, B, D costs and IRMAA brackets for 2026
- Medicare.gov Plan Compare — Check actual local costs and plan options
- Social Security POMS 0601.101.20: IRMAA — 2026 IRMAA thresholds and surcharges
- SHIP (State Health Insurance Assistance Program) — Free personalized cost planning by state
- CMS Hospital Insurance Manual (Chapter 3) — Detailed Part A cost structure