---
title: Medicare Costs in 2026: Premiums, Deductibles and IRMAA | Everything Senior Insurance
url: https://eseniorinsurance-redesign-demo.pages.dev/medicare-costs-2026/
updated: 2026-10-09
---

Medicare 101

# Medicare Costs in 2026: Premiums, Deductibles and IRMAA

In 2026 the standard Part B premium is $202.90 a month (up from $185.00) with a $283 deductible, and the Part A hospital deductible is $1,736 per benefit period.
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**Christian Brindle**A personal approach to Medicare.

Written by the Everything Senior Insurance Data Desk, reviewed by Christian Brindle.
Last updated October 9, 2026

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**In 2026 the standard Part B premium is $202.90 a month (up from $185.00) with a $283 deductible, and the Part A hospital deductible is $1,736 per benefit period.** Part D plans can charge up to $615 as a deductible and cap your drug costs at $2,100. Higher-income beneficiaries pay an IRMAA surcharge starting at $109,000 single or $218,000 joint (2024 income). All figures are from the CMS announcement of November 14, 2025.

## Part A costs in 2026

| Part A (hospital insurance) | 2025 | 2026 |
|---|
| Premium with 40+ quarters | $0 | $0 |
| Premium with 30 to 39 quarters | $285 | $311 |
| Premium with fewer than 30 quarters | $518 | $565 |
| Inpatient hospital deductible (per benefit period) | $1,676 | $1,736 |
| Hospital coinsurance, days 61 to 90 (per day) | $419 | $434 |
| Lifetime reserve days, 91+ (per day, 60 days lifetime) | $838 | $868 |
| Skilled nursing facility, days 21 to 100 (per day) | $209.50 | $217 |

Days 1 to 60 of a hospital stay cost nothing beyond the deductible. A new benefit period, and a new deductible, begins when you have been out of the hospital or skilled nursing facility for 60 days in a row.

## Part B costs in 2026

| Part B (medical insurance) | 2025 | 2026 |
|---|
| Standard monthly premium | $185.00 | $202.90 |
| Annual deductible | $257 | $283 |
| Coinsurance after the deductible | 20% | 20% (no yearly cap under Original Medicare) |

## IRMAA: the income surcharge for 2026

Based on your 2024 tax return. The surcharge is per person.
| 2024 MAGI, single | Married filing jointly | Part B total per month | Part D surcharge per month |
|---|
| Up to $109,000 | Up to $218,000 | $202.90 | $0 |
| $109,001 to $137,000 | $218,001 to $274,000 | $284.06 | $14.50 |
| $137,001 to $171,000 | $274,001 to $342,000 | $405.80 | $37.50 |
| $171,001 to $205,000 | $342,001 to $410,000 | $527.54 | $60.40 |
| $205,001 to $500,000 | $410,001 to $750,000 | $649.28 | $83.30 |
| Above $500,000 | Above $750,000 | $689.86 | $91.00 |

If your income has fallen since 2024 because of retirement, a divorce or the death of a spouse, file form SSA-44 to have the surcharge recalculated. The [IRMAA estimator](https://eseniorinsurance-redesign-demo.pages.dev/tools/#irmaa) shows your bracket.

## Part D costs in 2026

- National base beneficiary premium: $38.99 (used to calculate the late-enrollment penalty).
- Maximum plan deductible: $615.
- Out-of-pocket cap on covered drugs: $2,100; after that you pay $0 for the rest of the year. There is no coverage gap.

## How to lower your Medicare costs

- **Medigap** covers the 20% coinsurance and the hospital deductible (Plan G covers everything except the $283 Part B deductible).
- **Medicare Advantage** sets a yearly maximum out-of-pocket and often has a $0 plan premium.
- **Medicare Savings Programs and Extra Help** pay the Part B premium and most drug costs for people with limited income.
- **Yearly plan review** during October 15 to December 7, which we do for every client at no charge.
Source: [CMS, 2026 Medicare Parts A & B premiums and deductibles](https://www.cms.gov/newsroom/fact-sheets/2026-medicare-parts-b-premiums-deductibles).

Good questions

## Questions, answered.

**What is the Medicare Part B premium in 2026?**

$202.90 per month for most people, up from $185.00 in 2025, with a $283 annual deductible. People with 2024 income above $109,000 (single) or $218,000 (joint) pay more through IRMAA.

**What is the Medicare Part A deductible in 2026?**

$1,736 per benefit period, up from $1,676. Daily coinsurance is $434 for hospital days 61 to 90, $868 for lifetime reserve days and $217 for skilled nursing days 21 to 100.

**Is there an out-of-pocket maximum for Medicare in 2026?**

Not under Original Medicare for medical costs. Part D drug costs are capped at $2,100 in 2026. Medicare Advantage plans set their own medical maximum, and Medigap covers most of what Original Medicare leaves behind.

**What is the Part D deductible for 2026?**

Plans may charge up to $615; many charge less or none. After the deductible you pay copays by tier until you reach the $2,100 cap.

**Why is my Part B premium higher than $202.90?**

IRMAA. Social Security adds a surcharge based on your tax return from two years earlier. If your income has dropped since then, file form SSA-44 to appeal.

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