What are the new Medicare costs for 2026?

Dear Richard, 

Yes, Medicare costs change from year to year, so I’m glad that you asked! Below, you’ll find an overview of the Medicare costs you can expect in 2026: 

Part A (Hospital insurance) 

• Part A premium:  
  • Free if you’ve worked 10 years or more in employment that meets Social Security requirements, or if your spouse has 
  • $311 per month if you’ve worked 7.5 to 10 years 
  • $565 per month if you’ve worked fewer than 7.5 years 
• Part A hospital deductible:  
  • $1,736 each benefit period 
• Part A hospital coinsurance: 
  • $0 for the first 60 days of inpatient care each benefit period 
  • $434 per day for days 61-90 each benefit period 
  • $868 per lifetime reserve day after day 90 in a benefit period 
    • (You have 60 lifetime reserve days that can only be used once. They’re not renewable.) 
• Skilled nursing facility (SNF) insurance: 
  • $0 for the first 20 days of inpatient care each benefit period 
  • $217 per day for days 21-100 each benefit period 

Part B (Medical insurance) 

• Part B premium: $202.90 
  • If your annual income is higher than $109,001 for an individual ($218,001 for a couple), you will pay a higher Part B premium 
  • If you have limited income and assets you may qualify for the Medicare Savings Program and not owe a Part B premium  
• Part B deductible: $283 per year 
• Part B coinsurance: 20% for most services Part B covers 

Part D (Prescription drug coverage) 

• National average Part D premium: $38.99 per month 
• Maximum deductible: $615 per year 
• Out-of-pocket limit: $2,100 
• People with Medicaid, Medicare Savings Programs, or who have limited income and assets and apply directly have reduced Part D costs through the Low-Income Subsidy (LIS), also called Extra Help  

Keep in mind that if you have a Medigap policy or are enrolled in a Medicare Advantage Plan, your costs will look a bit different. With a Medigap, you pay a monthly premium for that policy, which in turn pays part or all of your out-of-pocket costs for Medicare-covered services. Medigap premiums vary throughout the country, but in general, they range from $100 to $300 per month. Medicare premiums can increase from year to year. Medigap premiums are separate and in addition to the Part B and Part D premiums. 

If you choose to enroll in a Medicare Advantage Plan for 2026, you’ll typically still have to pay the Part B monthly premium. Some Medicare Advantage Plans may also have an additional monthly premium. If the Medicare Advantage Plan includes Part D (most do), the premium for the Part D coverage will be combined with the premium for the Medicare Advantage portion of the plan. Each year in September, you should get an Evidence of Coverage (EOC) and / or Annual Notice of Change (ANOC)  which explain any changes in the plan for the upcoming year.  

I hope this is helpful! 

-Marci