What Medicare costs in 2026, and what's already set for 2027

Part B

Monthly premium

$202.90 for most people in 2026, up from $185. It's usually taken from your Social Security check.

Yearly deductible

$283. After that, you usually pay 20% of the Medicare-approved amount for doctor visits, outpatient care and equipment.

No yearly cap

Original Medicare has no limit on what you pay. That's why many people add a Medigap policy or choose a Medicare Advantage plan.

Part A (hospital)

Premium

$0 for about 99% of people: those who, or whose spouse, worked and paid Medicare taxes about 10 years (40 quarters). Otherwise $565 a month, or $311 with 30 to 39 quarters.

Hospital deductible

$1,736 per benefit period. Days 1 to 60 then cost nothing more.

Days 61 to 90

$434 a day.

After day 90

$868 a day for up to 60 lifetime reserve days, then all costs.

Skilled nursing facility

Days 1 to 20 cost nothing; days 21 to 100 cost $217 a day, after a qualifying hospital stay.

More on hospital stays and skilled nursing care.

If your income is higher: IRMAA

If your income two years earlier was above a set amount, you pay more for Part B and Part D. For 2026, Social Security generally uses your 2024 tax return. About 8% of people with Part B pay it.

Income means modified adjusted gross income. Married people filing separately who lived with their spouse pay $649.20 above $109,000 and $689.90 from $391,000. The Part D amount is added to your plan's premium.

If your income has dropped because of marriage, divorce, a spouse's death, stopping or cutting back work, or losing a pension or income-producing property, ask Social Security to use newer income with form SSA-44. You can also appeal within 60 days of the notice.

Part D drug coverage

Out-of-pocket cap

What you pay for covered drugs in 2026 is capped at $2,100.

Deductible

No plan can charge more than $615 in 2026. Many charge less or nothing.

Premium

Set by each plan. The average standalone drug plan premium was about $35 a month in 2026.

Help with costs

If your income is limited, Extra Help can lower your premium and copays. Who qualifies.

Medicare Advantage's yearly limit

Every Medicare Advantage plan has a yearly cap on what you pay for covered medical care (not drugs). In 2026 no plan's in-network limit can be over $9,250, or $13,900 for in- and out-of-network care combined in plans like PPOs. Many plans set lower limits, so compare them.

What's set for 2027

Part D

The out-of-pocket cap rises to $2,400 and the highest deductible to $700.

Medicare Advantage limit

Up to $9,850 in network, or $14,800 combined.

Part A and Part B

Not announced yet. Medicare usually announces the new premium, deductibles and IRMAA brackets in mid-November.

Social Security

Benefits rise 3.6% in January 2027, before any Part B premium change is taken out.

Getting ready for 2027? See the Open Enrollment checklist.

Common questions

Keep reading

• Extra Help and Medicare Savings Programs: who qualifies and how to applyTwo programs that cut Medicare costs for people with limited income: Extra Help for drug costs and state Medicare Savings Programs for premiums. The 2026 limits, what they pay, and how to apply for both at once.
• Medicare late enrollment penalties: how they work and how to avoid themHow the Part B, Part D and Part A penalties are figured, with 2026 examples, the situations that let you sign up late without one, and how to challenge a penalty you think is wrong.
• Medicare Open Enrollment checklist: what to check before December 7A step-by-step checklist for the October 15 to December 7, 2026 Open Enrollment Period: what to read in your plan's letter, what's changing for 2027, what you can switch, and what happens if you do nothing.