Medicare · Supporting
Medicare 2026 premiums: what Parts A, B, and D will cost you
Last reviewed September 3, 20264 min readBy the Goodsurance editorial team Reviewed by the Goodsurance editorial team
In 2026, the standard Part B premium is $202.90 per month. Part B covers outpatient services: physician visits, preventive screenings, lab work, durable medical equipment, and most services you receive outside a hospital room.
Part B: the standard premium and annual deductible
The annual Part B deductible is $283. Once you meet that deductible, Medicare pays 80% of the approved amount and you pay the remaining 20%. There is no annual ceiling on that 20% under Original Medicare alone. That uncapped coinsurance is one reason many people add a Medigap (Medicare Supplement Insurance) policy or choose Medicare Advantage.
If you see a non-participating provider who does not accept Medicare assignment, they may charge up to 15% above the Medicare-approved amount. Some states ban those excess charges entirely.
Part A: who pays nothing and who pays more
Part A covers inpatient hospital stays, skilled nursing facility (SNF) care, hospice, and some home health services. For most enrollees, Part A carries no monthly premium: it is premium-free for anyone with 40 or more quarters (roughly 10 years) of Medicare-taxed work history.
If you have fewer quarters, you can buy into Part A. In 2026, the Part A buy-in premium is $311 per month for enrollees with 30 to 39 quarters of covered employment. Those with fewer than 30 quarters pay $565 per month.
Even with premium-free Part A, hospital cost-sharing applies:
- Inpatient deductible: In 2026, the Part A inpatient deductible is $1,736 per benefit period. This is not an annual figure. Two separate hospitalizations in the same calendar year can each trigger it if they fall in separate benefit periods.
- Days 61 to 90: After the deductible, daily coinsurance is $434 per day for days 61 to 90 of a benefit period.
- Lifetime reserve days: Beyond day 90, you draw on a bank of 60 lifetime reserve days at $868 per day. Once used, they do not renew.
For SNF care in 2026, days 1 to 20 are fully covered after a qualifying hospital stay (a formal 3-day inpatient admission; observation status does not count). Days 21 to 100 carry a coinsurance of $217 per day. After day 100, you pay all costs.
Hospital inpatient cost-sharing by day
The deductible resets each benefit period, not each calendar year. Two hospital stays can each trigger the full deductible if they fall in separate benefit periods. Once your 60 lifetime reserve days are gone, they do not come back.
Part D: the new out-of-pocket cap and what it means
Part D covers outpatient prescription drugs. In 2026, no Part D plan may set a deductible above $615, and many plans set lower or $0 deductibles.
The most important change to Part D in recent years is the out-of-pocket cap. In 2026, out-of-pocket spending on covered Part D drugs is capped at $2,100 for the year. Once you reach that cap, covered formulary drugs cost $0 for the rest of the year. The coverage gap that once existed between initial coverage and catastrophic coverage no longer functions as a hole; the Inflation Reduction Act replaced it with this annual ceiling.
The 2026 national base beneficiary premium is $38.99. This is not a typical plan premium; it is used primarily to calculate late-enrollment penalties. Individual plan premiums vary by market and plan design.
If you go 63 or more consecutive days without creditable drug coverage after your Initial Enrollment Period (IEP), a late-enrollment penalty applies. That penalty adds 1% of the national base beneficiary premium for each full month without creditable coverage, and it is permanent.
How income affects your 2026 Medicare premiums
Most enrollees pay the standard $202.90 Part B premium. Higher earners pay more through the Income-Related Monthly Adjustment Amount (IRMAA), a tiered surcharge that CMS applies to both Part B and Part D.
In 2026, IRMAA begins above $109,000 in modified adjusted gross income (MAGI) for single filers and above $218,000 for joint filers. Crossing a threshold moves you to the full cost of the next tier; one dollar over the line makes a real difference. Higher income pushes you through additional tiers, and a parallel Part D IRMAA surcharge applies at the same income levels.
IRMAA uses a two-year lookback: your 2026 premium is based on your 2024 MAGI as reported to the IRS. If you retired recently or had a qualifying life-changing event such as marriage, divorce, or the death of a spouse, you can ask SSA to use more recent income by filing form SSA-44. If you receive an IRMAA notice you believe is incorrect, you have 60 days from receipt to request reconsideration.
Medicare Advantage: a different cost structure
Medicare Advantage (Part C) plans replace Original Medicare and typically bundle Parts A and B, and often Part D, together. You still pay your Part B premium. Beyond that, plan-level cost-sharing, including copays, coinsurance, and deductibles, is set by the individual plan rather than by CMS directly.
In 2026, the federal in-network maximum out-of-pocket (MOOP) cap for Medicare Advantage is $9,250. Plans may set lower limits. According to KFF, the 2026 enrollment-weighted average in-network MOOP is $5,421. The combined in-network and out-of-network MOOP cap is $13,900.
To find out more about specific plan costs and coverage options, please contact us to discuss plan options.
Medicare Advantage out-of-pocket limits in 2026
Most plans set their limit below the federal ceiling. Check each plan's Evidence of Coverage to find the exact limit before enrolling.
Common questions about IRMAA appeals
Quick answers, fast .
Tap any question to expand. Each links to a fuller standalone answer.
How much does Medicare cost in 2026?
Medicare costs in 2026 depend on which parts you have, but here are the standard figures.
Part A (hospital coverage) is premium-free for most people who worked at least 40 quarters; using it carries an inpatient deductible of $1,736 per benefit period in 2026. Part B (doctor and outpatient coverage) has a standard premium, meaning a monthly amount you pay, of $202.90 in 2026, plus a yearly deductible of $283. Part D (prescription drug coverage) varies by plan, with a national base premium of $38.99 in 2026, deductibles up to $615, and a yearly out-of-pocket cap of $2,100. Higher earners pay more for Part B and Part D through IRMAA, an income-based surcharge. Your total depends on the parts and plans you choose.
Why did my Medicare premium go up?
Your Medicare premium can go up for a few common reasons.
First, the standard Part B premium, the monthly amount for doctor and outpatient coverage, is set each year and is $202.90 in 2026, so a yearly adjustment may be part of it. Second, your premium may have risen because of IRMAA, the Income-Related Monthly Adjustment Amount, an extra charge added when your reported income is above a certain level. In 2026, IRMAA begins for single filers with income above $109,000 and joint filers above $218,000. Because IRMAA uses tax information from a prior year, a higher-income year can raise your premium later. If you added Part D drug coverage or a new plan, that can change your total too.
What is IRMAA for Medicare?
IRMAA stands for Income-Related Monthly Adjustment Amount, an extra charge some people pay on top of their standard Medicare premiums.
It applies to Part B (doctor and outpatient coverage) and Part D (prescription drug coverage) when your reported income is above a set threshold. In 2026, IRMAA begins for single filers with income above $109,000 and for joint filers with income above $218,000. The amount added increases at higher income levels. IRMAA is based on your tax return from a prior year, so a higher-income year can affect your premiums later on. If your income has dropped due to a major life change, you can ask Social Security to reconsider. In short, IRMAA means higher earners pay more for the same coverage.
Is Medicare free at age 65?
No, Medicare is not free at age 65 for most people.
Many people pay no premium for Part A (hospital coverage) at 65 because they worked at least 40 quarters and paid Medicare taxes, but that does not make all of Medicare free. Part B (doctor and outpatient coverage) has a standard premium, the monthly amount you pay, of $202.90 in 2026, along with a yearly deductible of $283. If you add Part D for prescription drugs, that has its own cost too. Even premium-free Part A has a $1,736 inpatient deductible per benefit period in 2026 when you use it. So turning 65 does not mean coverage with no cost; most people pay monthly premiums and out-of-pocket amounts.
What is IRMAA?
IRMAA stands for Income-Related Monthly Adjustment Amount, an extra charge added to your Part B (medical) and Part D (drug) premiums if your income is above a set level.
Most people pay only the standard premiums, but higher earners pay the standard amount plus the IRMAA surcharge. The surcharge is based on your tax return from two years earlier, so your 2026 IRMAA is based on your 2024 income. The first income tier begins above $109,000 for a single filer and above $218,000 for a married couple filing jointly in 2026. If your income later drops or a life event changed it, you can ask Social Security to review your case. To understand how IRMAA might affect your premiums, reach out to a licensed Goodsurance advisor at 1-888-301-8091 (TTY 711), Mon to Fri 8 am to 5 pm PT.
What income triggers IRMAA?
IRMAA, the Income-Related Monthly Adjustment Amount, is triggered when your income rises above the first tier: more than $109,000 for a single filer or more than $218,000 for a married couple filing jointly in 2026.
Below those amounts, you pay only the standard Part B and Part D premiums with no surcharge. The income used is your modified adjusted gross income from your tax return two years earlier, so 2026 IRMAA is based on your 2024 income. There are several higher tiers above the first one, and the surcharge grows as income rises. Because it uses a two-year lookback, a year with a one-time income spike, like selling a home, can affect you later. To see how your income lines up, reach out to a licensed Goodsurance advisor at 1-888-301-8091 (TTY 711), Mon to Fri 8 am to 5 pm PT.
How do I appeal IRMAA?
You appeal IRMAA, the Income-Related Monthly Adjustment Amount, by asking Social Security to reconsider the income they used.
Because IRMAA is based on your tax return from two years earlier, the figure can be outdated if your income has dropped. You can request a new decision if you had a qualifying life-changing event, such as marriage, divorce, the death of a spouse, retirement, or a reduction in work hours, that lowered your income. You file a form with Social Security explaining the change and provide documentation, like a tax return or proof of the event. If approved, your surcharge is recalculated using your more current, lower income. There are deadlines, so acting promptly helps. To understand whether your situation qualifies for an appeal, reach out to a licensed Goodsurance advisor at 1-888-301-8091 (TTY 711), Mon to Fri 8 am to 5 pm PT.
Does IRMAA use last year's income?
No, IRMAA does not use last year's income; it uses your income from two years earlier.
IRMAA, the Income-Related Monthly Adjustment Amount, is a surcharge on Part B and Part D premiums for higher earners, and Social Security calculates it using your most recent tax return on file, which is generally from two years back. That means your 2026 IRMAA is based on your 2024 income. This two-year lookback is why a one-time income event, such as selling property or a large withdrawal, can raise your premium a couple of years later. If your income has since dropped because of a life-changing event, you can ask Social Security to use more current figures. To understand the timing for your situation, reach out to a licensed Goodsurance advisor at 1-888-301-8091 (TTY 711), Mon to Fri 8 am to 5 pm PT.
References
- 2026 Medicare Parts A and B premiums and deductiblesCMS official fact sheet with all verified 2026 figures for Part A and Part B premiums, deductibles, and coinsurance.
- 2026 Medicare Part D bid information and premium stabilization demonstration parametersCMS source for the 2026 Part D maximum deductible, out-of-pocket cap, and national base beneficiary premium.
- Medicare Advantage in 2026: premiums, out-of-pocket limits, supplemental benefits, and prior authorizationKFF analysis of 2026 Medicare Advantage MOOP caps, enrollment-weighted averages, and plan design trends.
- Medicare Part D basics: costsMedicare.gov overview of Part D late-enrollment penalty calculation and creditable coverage rules.