Medicare Cost Calculator
2026 premiums, deductibles & IRMAA
Your Profile
$
Medicare uses income from 2 years prior. 2026 rates use 2024 MAGI.
Coverage Selections
Part A (Hospital)
Most people get Part A free (10+ yr work history)
Paid Part A Premium
Less than 30 quarters of work history
Part B (Medical)
Standard $202.90/mo + IRMAA if income > $109K
Part D (Prescription Drugs)
Base premium ~$39/mo + IRMAA if income > $109K
Medigap Supplement Plan
Covers Part A/B gaps; avg $150-$300/mo
Usage Estimate
Enter your profile and coverage selections to estimate your 2026 Medicare costs.
Estimated Annual Medicare Cost
$0
Total out-of-pocket including premiums
Monthly PremiumsAmount
Part A premium—
Part B standard premium—
Part B IRMAA surcharge—
Part D premium—
Part D IRMAA surcharge—
Medigap premium—
Total monthly premiums—
Annual Deductibles & Cost-SharingEst. Annual
Part A deductible (per benefit period)—
Part B deductible—
Part B 20% coinsurance (est.)—
Part D deductible + copays—
Medigap covers (est.)—
Annual TotalAmount
Annual premiums—
Annual cost-sharing (est.)
Total estimated annual cost—
IRMAA applies?—
🩺
Compare Medicare Supplement plans in your area
eHealth Medicare · GoHealth · Licensed agents · Free plan comparison
Sponsored: we may earn a commission at no cost to you.
Understanding Your Medicare Costs
In 2026 the standard Medicare Part B premium is $202.90 a month and the Part B deductible is $283. Part A is free for most people (otherwise $311 or $565 a month), and higher earners pay IRMAA surcharges once 2024 MAGI tops $109,000 (single) or $218,000 (joint). The calculator above adds premiums, IRMAA, Part D, Medigap and likely cost-sharing into one yearly estimate.
Medicare is divided into parts, each covering different services with different cost structures. Most people enroll in Part A (hospital insurance) and Part B (medical insurance) at age 65, together forming Original Medicare. Part D adds prescription drug coverage. Medigap (Medicare Supplement) policies fill in the coverage gaps left by Original Medicare, significantly reducing out-of-pocket exposure at the cost of additional premiums.
The biggest surprise for many enrollees is IRMAA (Income-Related Monthly Adjustment Amount): income-based surcharges applied to Part B and Part D premiums. In 2026, individuals with Modified AGI above $109,000 (or $218,000 for married couples filing jointly) pay significantly more than the standard premium. IRMAA is based on income from two years prior, meaning 2026 rates use 2024 MAGI.
2026 Part B Premiums
Standard: $202.90/month. IRMAA Tier 1 (MAGI $109K-$137K single, $218K-$274K joint): $284.10/mo. Tier 2 ($137K-$171K): $405.80/mo. Tier 3 ($171K-$205K): $527.50/mo. Tier 4 ($205K-$500K): $649.20/mo. Tier 5 ($500K and above, $750K joint): $689.90/mo. Part B deductible: $283/year.
2026 Part A Costs
Most people pay $0 for Part A (10+ years of Medicare taxes). If 30-39 quarters: $311/mo. Under 30 quarters: $565/mo. Inpatient deductible: $1,736 per benefit period. Days 61-90: $434/day coinsurance. Lifetime reserve days: $868/day. Skilled nursing: Days 21-100: $217/day.
Part D in 2026
The Inflation Reduction Act cap on Part D out-of-pocket drug costs is $2,100 in 2026 (it started at $2,000 in 2025). Maximum standard deductible: $615. National base beneficiary premium: $38.99/month (actual plan premiums vary). IRMAA surcharges: $14.50 to $91.00/month on top of the plan premium for high earners.
Medigap Plans
Plan G: most popular for new enrollees (2020+), covers all gaps except Part B deductible. Plan N: similar to G but copays for ER/specialist visits. Plan F: no longer available to new enrollees after 2020 (covers Part B deductible too). High-deductible versions of G and F available at lower premiums. Premiums vary significantly by age, location, and insurer.
2026 IRMAA Brackets for Part B and Part D
Based on modified AGI from your 2024 tax return. The Part D amount is added to whatever your plan charges. The last column is the extra cost per person for the year compared with the standard premium.
| MAGI, single | MAGI, joint | Part B per month | Part D surcharge | Extra per year |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| $109,000 or less | $218,000 or less | $202.90 | $0 | $0 |
| $109,001 to $137,000 | $218,001 to $274,000 | $284.10 | $14.50 | $1,148.40 |
| $137,001 to $171,000 | $274,001 to $342,000 | $405.80 | $37.50 | $2,884.80 |
| $171,001 to $205,000 | $342,001 to $410,000 | $527.50 | $60.40 | $4,620.00 |
| $205,001 to $499,999 | $410,001 to $749,999 | $649.20 | $83.30 | $6,355.20 |
| $500,000 or more | $750,000 or more | $689.90 | $91.00 | $6,936.00 |
Married filing separately and living with your spouse: $202.90 up to $109,000, then $649.20 (Part D +$83.30) up to $391,000, and $689.90 (Part D +$91.00) above that. IRMAA is a cliff, so one dollar over a threshold costs the whole step. If your income fell because you retired, divorced or lost a spouse, ask Social Security to use a newer year with Form SSA-44.
2026 Part A Costs
| Item | 2026 amount |
|---|---|
| Premium, 40 or more work quarters | $0 |
| Premium, 30 to 39 quarters | $311 a month |
| Premium, under 30 quarters | $565 a month |
| Hospital deductible | $1,736 per benefit period |
| Hospital days 61 to 90 | $434 a day |
| Lifetime reserve days | $868 a day |
| Skilled nursing days 21 to 100 | $217 a day |
A benefit period starts when you are admitted and ends after 60 days in a row out of the hospital or skilled nursing facility, so two separate stays in one year can mean paying the $1,736 deductible twice. Medigap Plans G, N and F cover it.
Worked Examples and Costly Mistakes
Single retiree, MAGI $85,000
No IRMAA. Part B costs $202.90 a month, or $2,434.80 a year, plus the $283 deductible. Using the $38.99 national base premium as a stand-in for a drug plan, Parts B and D come to $2,902.68 a year in premiums before any Medigap policy.
Married couple, joint MAGI $250,000
First IRMAA tier. Each spouse pays $284.10 for Part B, so the couple pays $6,818.40 a year instead of $4,869.60, plus $348 in Part D surcharges. Keeping 2026 income at or below $218,000 would avoid IRMAA in 2028.
Mistakes that cost money every year
- Enrolling late in Part B without job-based coverage: 10% more for each full 12 months you waited, for life. Two years late adds $40.58 a month at 2026 rates.
- Going without drug coverage for 63 days or more: a Part D penalty of 1% of the $38.99 base premium for every month without coverage.
- Missing the Medigap open enrollment window, the 6 months starting when you are 65 and in Part B. After it, insurers in most states can charge more or refuse you based on health.
- Forgetting one-off income such as a Roth conversion or home sale, which can push you into IRMAA two years later.
To see how Medicare fits your retirement budget, use the retirement calculator or the Social Security calculator, since Part B premiums are usually deducted from your benefit.
Method and sources. Premiums, deductibles, coinsurance and IRMAA tiers: CMS fact sheet 2026 Medicare Parts A and B Premiums and Deductibles. Part D base beneficiary premium ($38.99), maximum deductible ($615) and out-of-pocket cap ($2,100): CMS 2026 Part D bid and redesign announcements. IRMAA appeals and Form SSA-44: Social Security Administration. Enrollment periods and penalties: Medicare.gov. Yearly amounts are the monthly figures times 12, computed here. Usage costs in the calculator are estimates, not quotes.
This calculator provides estimates based on 2026 CMS rates. Actual costs vary by plan, location, health usage, and provider choices. Consult medicare.gov or a licensed Medicare counselor (SHIP) for personalized guidance. SHIP counseling is free.
Frequently Asked Questions
Most people should enroll in Medicare Part B during their Initial Enrollment Period (IEP): the 7-month window surrounding your 65th birthday (3 months before, your birthday month, 3 months after). Delaying Part B enrollment without qualifying coverage (employer coverage from active employment) triggers a permanent penalty of 10% per 12-month period delayed. Part A enrollment at 65 is usually automatic if you're receiving Social Security. If you have employer coverage at 65 and delay Part B, you qualify for a Special Enrollment Period (SEP) when that coverage ends.
IRMAA (Income-Related Monthly Adjustment Amount) is a surcharge added to Part B and Part D premiums for beneficiaries with higher incomes. It's determined by your MAGI (Modified Adjusted Gross Income) from two years prior. In 2026, IRMAA applies if 2024 MAGI exceeded $109,000 for single filers or $218,000 for married filing jointly. The surcharges range from $81.20/month to $487.00/month above the standard Part B premium, plus $14.50 to $91.00/month on Part D, depending on income tier. IRMAA can be appealed if your income has dropped significantly due to a life-changing event (retirement, divorce, death of spouse). File Form SSA-44 with the Social Security Administration.
Original Medicare (Parts A + B): pays 80% of covered services after deductible, any provider nationwide that accepts Medicare, needs Medigap for cost protection. Medicare Advantage (Part C): private plans that replace Original Medicare, often with lower premiums, but network restrictions, prior authorization requirements, and potentially higher out-of-pocket for serious illness. Key considerations favoring Original Medicare: frequent travel, snowbirds, specialists or cancer centers, desire for Medigap gap coverage. Favoring Medicare Advantage: staying local, low expected usage, desire for dental/vision/hearing extras, lower premiums. The "right" choice depends heavily on health status and care patterns.
Medigap Plan G covers: Part A deductible ($1,736 per benefit period), Part A coinsurance and hospital costs up to 365 days after Medicare benefits are used, Part B excess charges (when providers charge above Medicare rates), skilled nursing facility coinsurance, foreign travel emergency (80%, $250 deductible, $50K lifetime max), hospice care coinsurance. Plan G does NOT cover the Part B annual deductible ($283 in 2026), so you pay that yourself. After meeting the Part B deductible, Plan G essentially gives you $0 out-of-pocket for all covered Medicare services. Plan G is the most comprehensive plan available to new Medicare enrollees since Plan F was closed to new enrollees in 2020.
The Inflation Reduction Act caps what you pay out of pocket for covered Part D drugs. The cap started at $2,000 in 2025 and is indexed, so it is $2,100 in 2026. This is a major improvement from the previous structure where some beneficiaries faced thousands in drug costs. The cap means once you've paid $2,100 in covered drug costs in a year, your Part D plan covers 100% for the rest of the year. In 2024 people reached the catastrophic phase after roughly $3,300 of their own spending, and before 2024 they kept paying 5% even after that, with no cap at all. This change particularly benefits people with expensive specialty medications. Some people may find they no longer need supplemental drug coverage (creditable coverage through employers/unions) once this cap is in place.
Yes. If you go 63+ continuous days without creditable prescription drug coverage after first becoming eligible for Medicare, you'll face a permanent Part D late enrollment penalty. The penalty is 1% of the national base beneficiary premium per month without coverage, added permanently to your Part D premium. Example: 24 months without coverage = a 24% penalty on the 2026 base premium of $38.99, about $9.40 a month extra, for as long as you have Part D. Creditable coverage (coverage at least as good as Medicare Part D) from an employer, union, VA, TRICARE, or other sources avoids the penalty. Always get a creditable coverage letter from your employer before dropping that coverage.
Strategies to reduce Medicare costs: (1) IRMAA appeals: if 2024 income was unusually high (Roth conversion, home sale), appeal using Form SSA-44 with documentation. (2) Tax planning: Strategic Roth conversions can reduce MAGI to stay below IRMAA thresholds in future years. (3) Extra Help / LIS (Low-Income Subsidy): if income is limited, federal assistance is available for Part D costs. (4) Medicare Savings Programs (MSPs): state programs that pay Part B premiums and sometimes cost-sharing for low-income beneficiaries. (5) SHIP counseling: free, unbiased Medicare counseling from State Health Insurance Assistance Programs, they can compare plans with no sales pressure. (6) Prescription drug assistance: manufacturers, state programs, and GoodRx can reduce drug costs independently of Medicare.
Original Medicare does not cover: routine dental care (cleanings, fillings, dentures), routine vision care and eyeglasses, routine hearing exams and hearing aids, long-term care / custodial care (nursing home non-skilled), most care outside the US, cosmetic surgery, acupuncture (limited exceptions), foot care (mostly), and most prescription drugs without Part D. These gaps are significant: dental care alone can cost $2,000-$10,000+ annually. Medicare Advantage plans often include some dental, vision, and hearing benefits. Standalone dental, vision, and hearing insurance is available separately. Long-term care is a separate major planning issue that requires its own coverage (LTCI) or self-insurance strategy.
Medicare is the primary payer for most Medicare-eligible individuals. Exceptions: active employment coverage (employer insurance is primary if employer has 20+ employees), VA benefits (separate from Medicare, can use both), TRICARE for Life (Medicare is primary, TRICARE wraps around), retiree insurance from former employers (often secondary to Medicare), Medicaid (Medicare is primary, Medicaid secondary). If you have employer coverage through a spouse under 65 with a large employer, Medicare can be delayed without penalty. Always verify coordination of benefits rules before making coverage decisions: mistakes can create permanent penalties or coverage gaps.
Medicare has several enrollment periods: Initial Enrollment Period (IEP): 7 months around your 65th birthday for Parts A and B. Annual Open Enrollment (AEP): October 15, December 7 each year, can switch Medicare Advantage plans, switch between Original Medicare and MA, or change Part D plans. Medicare Advantage Open Enrollment: January 1 to March 31, one change allowed: can switch MA plans or move back to Original Medicare if currently in MA. Special Enrollment Periods (SEPs): triggered by life events (losing employer coverage, moving, etc.). Medigap enrollment: federally protected rights during the 6-month Medigap Open Enrollment Period starting when you're 65+ and enrolled in Part B. After that period, insurers can deny coverage or charge more based on health status (except in states with additional protections).
Most people pay $202.90 a month for Part B and nothing for Part A. A Part D drug plan adds its own premium (the national base is $38.99), and a Medigap or Medicare Advantage plan may add more. With 2024 MAGI above $109,000 single or $218,000 joint, Part B rises to between $284.10 and $689.90 a month and Part D gets a surcharge of $14.50 to $91.00.
Yes. IRMAA works in steps, not gradually. A single filer with 2024 MAGI of $109,000 pays the standard $202.90, but at $109,001 the Part B premium jumps to $284.10 and Part D adds $14.50, about $1,148 more for the year. If your income is near a threshold, timing Roth conversions, capital gains or IRA withdrawals can keep you below it.