The 2026 Medicare Costs updates are finally in! Remember, Medicare isn’t 100% free—there are premiums to pay, deductibles to meet, and additional charges to consider. The good news? We’ve broken down the latest figures in one clear list so you can see what to expect and plan ahead with confidence.
💡 Note: This article covers the latest Medicare premiums and deductibles for 2026. If you’re looking for details about Medigap (Medicare Supplement) plan costs, check out our full guide “How Much Does Medigap Cost In 2026?“.
2026 Medicare Part A Coinsurance and Deductible
For many beneficiaries, Part A is the hospital “safety net”—it helps with inpatient hospital stays, skilled nursing facility (SNF) care, hospice, and some home health. If you’ve paid Medicare taxes long enough, you likely owe $0 monthly premium for Part A. But don’t get blindsided—deductibles and coinsurance still apply. Below is the 2025 vs 2026 snapshot.
| Medicare Part A Benefits | 2025 | 2026 |
|---|---|---|
| Inpatient hospital deductible | $1,676 | $1,736 |
| Hospital coinsurance per day (Days 61–90) | $419 per day | $434 per day |
| Hospital coinsurance per day (lifetime reserve days) | $838 per day | $868 per day |
| Skilled Nursing Facility coinsurance (Days 21–100) | $209.50 per day | $217 per day |
💡Note: Medicare Part A lifetime reserve days max out at 60 days. After those 60 are used, you pay 100% for each additional inpatient day.
⚡ New for 2026: Medicare benefits, coverage limits, and drug costs are changing. See what’s different in 10 Big Medicare Changes for 2026.
Source: Medicare.gov.
2026 Medicare Part B Premium and Deductible
Part B is your everyday medical coverage—doctor visits, outpatient care, tests, DME, preventive services. The Part B premium is usually deducted from your Social Security payment. Remember, your actual cost can be higher if you’re in an IRMAA (income-related) bracket. Below is the 2025 vs 2026 snapshot.
| 2025 | 2026 | |
|---|---|---|
| Standard Part B Monthly Premium | $185.00 | $202.90 |
| Part B Annual Deductible | $257 | $283 |
💡Note: After you meet your annual deductible, you typically owe 20% coinsurance for most covered services, which is the major gap Medigap plans are designed to fill.
👉 Wondering if Original Medicare is enough on its own? Find out why most people add Medigap in our guide Is Original Medicare Enough? — it explains what Medicare doesn’t cover and how to close the gaps.
2026 Medicare Part A Premium
Most people 65+ who are eligible for Medicare don’t pay a Part A premium—it’s typically $0 if you or your spouse worked and paid Medicare taxes for at least 40 quarters (10 years). If you qualified for Medicare before 65 due to disability, Part A is generally premium-free as well.
If you haven’t met the work-history requirement, you may owe a reduced or full Part A premium. Here’s the 2025 vs 2026 snapshot:
| Work History* | 2025 Premium | 2026 Premium |
|---|---|---|
| Worked & paid Medicare taxes for 40 quarters (10 years) | $0 | $0 |
| Worked & paid Medicare taxes for 30–39 quarters | $278 | $311 |
| Worked & paid Medicare taxes for less than 30 quarters | $506 | $565 |
* “Worked” can be you or your spouse’s covered work history.
** Part A is generally premium-free if you qualify for Medicare before 65 due to disability.
2026 Medicare Part B Premium Cost for Higher-Income Enrollees (IRMAA)
Most people pay the standard Part B premium (usually deducted from Social Security). If your income is higher, you may pay an extra charge called IRMAA (Income-Related Monthly Adjustment Amount). IRMAA is based on your MAGI from two years prior and is added on top of the standard premium. If your income recently dropped due to a life-changing event (retirement, work reduction, divorce, etc.), you can request a reconsideration using Form SSA-44.
Medicare Part B and Part D IRMAA Monthly Premiums
| Individual MAGI | Married Filing Joint MAGI | 2026 Part B Monthly Premium | 2026 Part D Monthly Premium |
|---|---|---|---|
| Less than or equal to $109,000 | Less than or equal to $218,000 | $202.90 | Premium (varies) |
| Greater than $109,000 and less than or equal to $137,000 | Greater than $218,000 and less than or equal to $274,000 | $284.10 | Premium + $14.50 |
| Greater than $137,000 and less than or equal to $171,000 | Greater than $274,000 and less than or equal to $342,000 | $405.80 | Premium + $37.50 |
| Greater than $171,000 and less than or equal to $205,000 | Greater than $342,000 and less than or equal to $410,000 | $527.50 | Premium + $60.40 |
| Greater than $205,000 and less than $500,000 | Greater than $410,000 and less than $750,000 | $649.20 | Premium + $83.30 |
| Greater than or equal to $500,000 | Greater than or equal to $750,000 | $689.90 | Premium + $91.00 |
💡Note: These amounts are added to your standard premium and apply only if your income exceeds the listed thresholds.
👉If you’re reviewing your 2026 Medicare costs, don’t forget your prescriptions. Our guide How to Enroll or Switch Medicare Drug Plans walks you through every step clearly.
“New” Medicare Part B Immunosuppressive Drugs (Kidney Transplant Benefit)
If you’ve had a kidney transplant, traditional Medicare coverage can end 36 months after the transplant unless you qualify through another path. For people who don’t have other health coverage, Medicare offers a special, pared-down option that keeps paying for immunosuppressive drugs—so you can protect your transplant without buying full Part B.
What this benefit is (in plain English):
- A Part B–only option that covers immunosuppressive medications related to your kidney transplant.
- It doesn’t cover other Part B services (doctor visits, imaging, etc.) or Part A hospital benefits.
- You can’t enroll in Medicare Advantage with this; it’s a standalone safeguard for the meds only.
- Higher-income enrollees may pay an IRMAA surcharge in addition to the monthly premium.
💡 If you do pick up broader coverage later (like employer insurance or full Medicare), you’d typically switch off this drug-only option.
2026 Immunosuppressive Drug Benefit — At a Glance
| Item | 2026 Amount / Rule |
|---|---|
| Monthly premium | $121.60 |
| IRMAA (higher-income add-on) | May apply (amount varies by income bracket) |
| What it covers | Immunosuppressive drugs related to a Medicare-covered kidney transplant |
| What it doesn’t cover | Other Part B services (office visits, imaging, DME, etc.) or Part A hospital benefits |
| Who can enroll | Kidney transplant recipients whose full Medicare ended after 36 months and who have no other health coverage |
| Can I pair it with MA? | No. This is a standalone Part B drug-only benefit (not compatible with Medicare Advantage). |
2026 Original Medicare Costs Covered by Medigap
Original Medicare does a lot—but it still leaves you with out-of-pocket costs that can snowball if you see doctors often or have a long hospital stay. A Medigap plan is the simple add-on that helps cover those gaps (deductibles, coinsurance) and even extends inpatient hospital coverage by 365 days beyond Medicare’s limits—so your bills feel calmer and more predictable.
Since Medigap benefits are standardized by letter, you can focus on picking the price and discounts you like. Many readers land on Plan G for its strong protection; Plan N trades small copays for a lower premium; High-Deductible G mirrors G after a larger annual deductible.
2026 High-Deductible Medigap Plans: F and G
If you’re enrolled in a high-deductible version of Medigap Plan F or Plan G, the deductible amount for 2026 is $2,950. This means you must pay $2,950 out-of-pocket before your plan begins covering costs.
- Plan F High-Deductible: Available only to those who qualified for Medicare before January 1, 2020.
- Plan G High-Deductible: Available to all Medicare beneficiaries, including those new to Medicare.
Get a Medigap Quote Enroll in Medigap
Next Steps for Medicare in 2026
Just reviewed what 2026 Medicare Cost looks like? This is the perfect moment to price-check Medigap and lock in calmer, more predictable bills. Medigap, AKA Medicare Supplement, helps cover what Original Medicare leaves behind—like deductibles, coinsurance, and hospital stays beyond 90 days. Call Senior65.com at 800-930-7956 for free, no-pressure help—we’ll explain everything in plain English and help you compare Plan G vs N vs High-Deductible G line by line.
👉If you’re comparing Medicare and Medigap costs, don’t miss our article How Much Does Medigap Cost This Year? — it explains everything simply.
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- See real prices in your ZIP: Instant Medigap Quote.
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