Medicare 2026 Standard Costs
| Medicare Part | Monthly Premium | Annual Deductible | Key Cost-Sharing |
|---|---|---|---|
| Part A (hospital) | $0 (if 40+ work quarters) | $1,676/benefit period | $419/day days 61–90 |
| Part B (medical) | $185/mo (standard) | $257/year | 20% coinsurance after deductible |
| Part D (drugs) | $46/mo (avg) | Up to $590/year | Varies by tier; $2,000 OOP cap |
| Medicare Advantage | $0–$80/mo (avg $18) | Varies by plan | OOP max $3,300–$8,850 |
| Medigap Plan G | $100–$200/mo | None (pays Part B deductible gap) | Near-zero after Part B deductible |
IRMAA — Higher Income = Higher Premiums
Beneficiaries with income above $106,000/year (individual) or $212,000 (joint) pay higher Part B and Part D premiums through Income-Related Monthly Adjustment Amounts (IRMAA). In 2026:
| Individual Income | Part B Premium | Part D IRMAA Add-On |
|---|---|---|
| ≤$106,000 | $185/mo | $0 |
| $106,001–$133,000 | $259/mo | $13.70/mo |
| $133,001–$167,000 | $370/mo | $35.30/mo |
| $167,001–$200,000 | $480/mo | $57.00/mo |
| >$500,000 | $594/mo | $81.00/mo |
Ways to Reduce Medicare Costs
Frequently Asked Questions
Part A is free for most people (if you've worked 40+ quarters paying Medicare taxes). Part B costs $185/month in 2026. Part D and Medicare Advantage have additional premiums. The misconception that Medicare is free stems from Part A's zero premium — the full picture includes significant monthly costs for comprehensive coverage.
Yes — if your income has recently decreased (retirement, loss of spouse, divorce, or other life event), you can appeal your IRMAA determination using SSA Form SSA-44. IRMAA is based on income from 2 years ago — if your current income is significantly lower, an appeal can reduce or eliminate the surcharge.
Original Medicare does not cover: routine dental, vision, and hearing (although Medicare Advantage often does); long-term care/nursing home care (beyond skilled nursing for short-term recovery); overseas care; cosmetic surgery; and most prescription drugs (needs Part D). Medigap covers cost-sharing gaps but not these benefit gaps.