Cost of Medicare

A framework for thinking about premiums, deductibles, copays, coinsurance, prescriptions, and annual exposure — using 2026 CMS figures where they apply.

Look beyond the premium

A lower monthly premium does not automatically mean lower total cost. Add deductibles, copays, coinsurance, drug costs, and — for Advantage — the maximum out-of-pocket.

2026 Original Medicare snapshot

Part B premium $202.90/month (standard). Part B deductible $283. Part A deductible $1,736 per benefit period. Part B coinsurance is typically 20% after the deductible.

Income can matter

Higher-income beneficiaries may pay IRMAA for Part B and Part D. Thresholds are based on tax returns from two years prior and can change.

Help that may be available

Medicare Savings Programs and Extra Help may reduce costs for people who qualify. Eligibility is not guaranteed.

Want the full story? Get my book. Medicare 2026: Choose the Right Plan & Avoid Costly Mistakes walks through how Medicare is built. It does not pick a plan.

For the other pages on this topic, open the Lowering Medicare costs guide.

2026 figures

IRMAA (higher-income premium)

See 2026 Part B and Part D IRMAA using 2024 MAGI brackets from CMS.

Read: What is Medicare IRMAA?

Bracket (2026): $109,000 or less

Part B monthly premium: $202.90 (standard premium; no Part B IRMAA)

Part D IRMAA: $0.00 per month, added to your drug plan premium.

Social Security sends the official IRMAA notice. You can appeal a life-changing event. Source: CMS 2026 premium fact sheet.

2026 figures

Original Medicare cost estimator

Add 2026 Part A and Part B figures for a simple yearly sketch — not a plan quote.

Read: What does Medicare Part B cost in 2027?

  • Part A deductibles: $1,736.00
  • Part A days 61–90: $0.00
  • Skilled nursing coinsurance: $0.00
  • Part B premium: $2,434.80
  • Part B deductible: $283.00
  • Part B 20% coinsurance: $343.40

Sketch of Original Medicare cost-sharing: $4,797.20

Does not include Part D, IRMAA, excess charges, Medigap premiums, or Medicare Advantage. Not a quote.

Worksheet

SNF 3-day stay and benefit period

Original Medicare skilled nursing: the 3-day inpatient rule, days 1–100, and 2026 coinsurance.

Read: Medicare skilled nursing and the 3-day stay

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