What Will Medicare Actually Cost You in 2026?
Official 2026 premiums, deductibles, and income-based adjustments — broken down by part, in plain English.
Part A: Hospital Insurance
Most people pay no monthly premium for Part A — you likely already paid into it through payroll taxes. Here’s what you pay when you actually use it.
Monthly premium (most people)
Monthly premium (if not premium-free)
Hospital deductible (per benefit period)
Days 1–60 of hospital stay (after deductible)
Days 61–90 of hospital stay
Lifetime reserve days (after day 90, max 60 total)
Skilled nursing facility, days 1–20
Skilled nursing facility, days 21–100
Part B: Medical Insurance
Covers doctor visits, outpatient care, and preventive services. Nearly everyone pays a Part B premium — how much depends on your income from two years prior.
| Individual income (2024) | Joint income (2024) | You pay/month (2026) |
|---|---|---|
| $109,000 or less | $218,000 or less | $202.90 |
| above $109,000–$137,000 | above $218,000–$274,000 | $284.10 |
| above $137,000–$171,000 | above $274,000–$342,000 | $405.80 |
| above $171,000–$205,000 | above $342,000–$410,000 | $527.50 |
| above $205,000–$500,000 | above $410,000–$750,000 | $649.20 |
| $500,000 or above | $750,000 or above | $689.90 |
Based on your IRS tax return from 2 years ago (2024 income determines 2026 premiums). Married filing separately has its own brackets — contact us or Social Security for that table.
Part B Annual Deductible: $283
You pay this once per year before Original Medicare starts paying its share (typically 80%) of covered Part B services.
Part D: Prescription Drug Coverage
Sold separately through private carriers. Even if you rarely take medications, enrolling on time avoids a permanent late penalty.
National base premium (2026)
Actual plan premiums
Annual out-of-pocket cap (2026)
Higher income also affects Part D
If your income is above the same thresholds shown in the Part B table, you’ll pay an extra $14.50–$91.00/month on top of your plan’s premium.
What About Medicare Advantage?
Medicare Advantage (Part C) plans are sold by private carriers as an alternative to Original Medicare, and premiums vary widely — some are $0/month in addition to your Part B premium. Because pricing depends entirely on your specific plan and location, use Medicare.gov’s Plan Finder to compare exact costs in your area, or call 1-800-MEDICARE.
The Medicare cost information on this page comes from official 2026 figures published by Medicare.gov and CMS. Pathway Health Insurance Experts, Inc. is not part of the federal government or the Medicare program, and this content has not been reviewed or approved by Medicare. Actual costs vary by plan, carrier, and location — contact our office or Medicare.gov for a personalized estimate.
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These are national figures — your actual costs depend on your plan, income, and coverage choices. Let’s walk through your specific numbers, free.