Medicare does not have one single price tag. What you pay each month in 2026 depends on which parts you enroll in, how many years you worked and paid Medicare taxes, your income, and whether you add a Medicare Advantage plan or a Medigap policy on top of Original Medicare. The one cost nearly everyone shares is the Part B premium: $202.90 a month in 2026 for most beneficiaries, set by CMS every fall for the following year.
The breakdown below covers what each part of Medicare costs per month in 2026, Part A, Part B, Part D, Medicare Advantage, and Medigap, plus how the IRMAA surcharge raises costs for higher earners and what programs can lower your bill if you are on a fixed income. For a broader eligibility picture, see the Medicare eligibility guide or compare plans through the Medicare Advantage directory.
Coverage Breakdown
Coverage by type| Medicare Part or Plan Type | Standard 2026 Monthly Cost | Who Pays More (IRMAA) | What It Covers |
|---|
| Part A (Hospital Insurance) | $0/month for about 99% of beneficiaries (40+ work quarters); $311/month with 30 to 39 quarters; $565/month with fewer than 30 quarters | IRMAA does not apply to Part A | Inpatient hospital stays, skilled nursing facility care, hospice, limited home health |
| Part B (Medical Insurance) | $202.90/month standard premium | $284.10 to $689.90/month total for individuals with 2024 income above $109,000 | Doctor visits, outpatient care, durable medical equipment, preventive services |
| Part D (Prescription Drugs) | $34.50/month average premium; individual plans vary by insurer and formulary | Up to $91.00/month added on top of your plan premium | Prescription drug coverage with a $2,100 annual out-of-pocket cap in 2026 |
| Medicare Advantage (Part C) | $14.00/month average across all enrollees; many plans cost $0/month | You still owe the standard Part B premium, plus any plan premium | Combines Parts A and B, usually Part D, and often adds dental, vision, or hearing |
| Medigap (Medicare Supplement) | $120 to $290/month depending on plan letter, age, and state; Plan G averages about $220/month at age 65 | Priced by a private insurer, not the government, based on age and health history at first enrollment | Fills Original Medicare's deductibles, coinsurance, and copays |
Figures reflect CMS-published 2026 premiums and deductibles. Actual costs vary by income, work history, plan choice, and state of residence.
Source: CMS 2026 Medicare Parts A & B Premiums and Deductibles fact sheet, KFF Medicare Advantage 2026 Spotlight
Direct Answer: What Medicare Costs Per Month in 2026
It depends on which parts of Medicare you choose and your income. In 2026, Medicare Part B costs $202.90 a month for most people, Part A is free for the 99% of beneficiaries with 40 or more work quarters, and Part D drug coverage averages $34.50 a month. Add Medicare Advantage (often $0 to $14 a month) or Medigap ($120 to $290 a month), and total monthly costs commonly range from about $203 to $500 depending on coverage choices.
What Original Medicare (Part A and Part B) Costs in 2026
Original Medicare is split into two pieces, and they are priced very differently. Part A, hospital insurance, has no monthly premium for roughly 99% of beneficiaries because it was funded through payroll taxes during their working years (40 or more work quarters). If you have 30 to 39 quarters of Medicare-covered work, Part A costs $311 a month in 2026; with fewer than 30 quarters, it costs $565 a month. Part A also carries a $1,736 inpatient hospital deductible per benefit period in 2026, not a monthly charge but a per-stay cost.
Part B, medical insurance, costs $202.90 a month for most people in 2026, up from $185.00 in 2025. Part B also has an annual deductible of $283 in 2026, after which you typically pay 20% coinsurance for most doctor visits, outpatient services, and durable medical equipment. Original Medicare has no annual out-of-pocket maximum on its own, which is the main reason most beneficiaries pair it with Medigap or a drug plan.
What Medicare Part D Prescription Drug Coverage Costs in 2026
Medicare Part D is sold through private insurers, so premiums vary by plan, but CMS projects the average Part D premium at $34.50 a month in 2026. Individual plan premiums range from close to $0 to well over $100 a month depending on the drug formulary and insurer. Higher earners pay an IRMAA surcharge of up to $91.00 a month added directly to their Part D premium, on top of whatever the plan itself charges.
Thanks to the Inflation Reduction Act, signed August 16, 2022, Part D now has a $2,100 annual out-of-pocket cap in 2026, meaning once you and your plan combined have spent that much on covered drugs, you pay nothing more for the rest of the year. Insulin is capped separately at $35 a month per covered product under the same law, regardless of what phase of the benefit you are in.
What Medicare Advantage (Part C) Costs in 2026
Medicare Advantage plans bundle Parts A and B, usually Part D, and often extra benefits like dental, vision, or hearing into one private plan. CMS estimates the average monthly premium across all Medicare Advantage enrollees, including those who pay nothing, at $14.00 a month in 2026, down from $16.40 in 2025. For plans that include drug coverage (MA-PD), the average premium drops to $11.50 a month, and about 98% of beneficiaries have access to at least one $0-premium MA-PD plan where they live.
A low or $0 monthly premium does not mean Medicare Advantage is free. You still pay the standard Part B premium every month, and instead of a flat monthly cost for services, Medicare Advantage plans charge copays and coinsurance for individual visits and procedures, capped by an annual out-of-pocket maximum that Original Medicare does not have. Plan changes during Medicare Advantage Open Enrollment run January 1 through March 31, 2026, limited to one switch.
What Medigap (Medicare Supplement Insurance) Costs in 2026
Medigap policies are sold by private insurance companies to fill the deductibles, coinsurance, and copays that Original Medicare leaves behind. Because Medigap is not government-priced the way Part A and Part B are, premiums vary widely by plan letter, your age, your state, and the insurer. Plan G, the most popular choice for new enrollees, averages about $220 a month at age 65 in 2026, with a typical range of roughly $120 to $290 a month across insurers and states.
During your 6-month Medigap Open Enrollment Period, which starts the month you turn 65 and enroll in Part B, insurers cannot deny you a policy or charge you more because of a preexisting condition. Outside that window, medical underwriting can raise your premium or lead to a denial, so timing matters. Unlike an ACA-compliant marketplace plan, Medigap does not have to cover the 10 essential health benefits categories, and it never includes Part D drug coverage on its own.
IRMAA: When High Earners Pay More Each Month
IRMAA, the Income-Related Monthly Adjustment Amount, adds a surcharge to Part B and Part D premiums for higher-income beneficiaries, based on your Modified Adjusted Gross Income from two years earlier. For 2026 premiums, Social Security looks at your 2024 tax return. IRMAA begins at $109,000 in modified adjusted gross income for individuals and $218,000 for married couples filing jointly, up from $106,000 and $212,000 in 2025.
Five IRMAA tiers apply in 2026. Depending on income, beneficiaries pay an extra $81.20 to $487.00 a month on top of the standard Part B premium, and up to $91.00 a month added to their Part D premium. If your income dropped since your 2024 tax return because of retirement, divorce, or another life-changing event, you can appeal your IRMAA determination with Social Security using Form SSA-44.
Alternatives if You Can't Afford Standard Medicare Costs
Several programs exist specifically to lower or eliminate Medicare's monthly costs for beneficiaries with limited income and resources. These are the main ones worth checking before you assume the standard prices are your only option:
- Medicare Savings Programs (QMB, SLMB, QI): your state Medicaid agency pays your Part B premium, and the Qualified Medicare Beneficiary tier also covers deductibles and coinsurance, for people who meet state income limits.
- Extra Help (Part D Low-Income Subsidy): administered by Social Security, this covers most or all of your Part D premium and deductible, and lowers copays, for people with limited income and resources.
- Full Medicaid dual-eligibility: if you qualify for both Medicare and Medicaid, about 12 million Americans do, Medicaid typically pays your Part B premium and cost-sharing and may cover services Medicare does not.
- A $0-premium Medicare Advantage plan: with 98% of beneficiaries able to choose at least one $0-premium MA-PD plan in 2026, this trades a smaller network and prior authorization rules for a lower monthly bill.
- PACE (Program of All-Inclusive Care for the Elderly): for eligible seniors who need nursing-home-level care but want to stay at home, PACE combines Medicare and Medicaid benefits with capped, predictable costs.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does everyone pay the same amount for Medicare Part B in 2026?
No. Most people pay the standard $202.90 a month in 2026, but higher earners pay more under IRMAA. Individuals with 2024 income above $109,000, or couples above $218,000, pay an extra $81.20 to $487.00 a month on top of the standard premium, based on CMS's 2026 IRMAA income brackets.
Is Medicare Part A really free in 2026?
For about 99% of beneficiaries, yes. Part A has no monthly premium if you or a spouse worked at least 40 quarters, about 10 years, and paid Medicare payroll taxes. If you have 30 to 39 quarters, Part A costs $311 a month in 2026; with fewer than 30 quarters, it costs $565 a month.
How much does Medicare Advantage cost per month in 2026?
The average Medicare Advantage premium across all enrollees is $14.00 a month in 2026, down from $16.40 in 2025, and 98% of beneficiaries can choose a $0-premium plan with drug coverage. You still owe the standard Part B premium of $202.90 a month on top of any Medicare Advantage plan premium.
What is the average Part D premium in 2026?
CMS projects the average Part D premium at $34.50 a month in 2026, though individual plan premiums range from close to $0 to over $100 depending on the insurer and drug formulary. High earners also pay an IRMAA surcharge of up to $91.00 a month added directly to their premium.
How much does Medigap cost per month?
Medigap premiums are set by private insurers, not the government, so costs vary widely. Plan G, the most popular option for new enrollees, averages about $220 a month at age 65 in 2026, with a typical range of $120 to $290 a month depending on your state, age, and insurer.
What is IRMAA and who has to pay it?
IRMAA, the Income-Related Monthly Adjustment Amount, is a surcharge added to Part B and Part D premiums for higher earners. In 2026 it applies to individuals with 2024 income above $109,000 and couples above $218,000, adding $81.20 to $487.00 a month to Part B and up to $91.00 a month to Part D.
What if I can't afford my Medicare premiums?
Medicare Savings Programs, QMB, SLMB, and QI, let your state Medicaid agency pay your Part B premium, and sometimes your deductibles and coinsurance too, if your income is low enough. Extra Help through Social Security covers most Part D costs for people with limited income and resources.
How much does Medicare cost total per month with Medigap and Part D?
A common combination, Original Medicare plus Part D plus a Medigap Plan G, runs about $457 a month in 2026: $202.90 for Part B, roughly $34.50 for Part D, and about $220 for Medigap Plan G at age 65. Choosing Medicare Advantage instead often lowers the monthly premium but shifts costs to copays and coinsurance.
