Here’s the bottom line for 2026: Part B is $202.90/month with a $283 deductible, Part A’s inpatient deductible is $1,736, and Part D’s deductible tops out at $615 with a $2,100 annual out-of-pocket cap. Below, we unpack each part, how IRMAA works, and what 2027 could bring.
2026 Medicare at a glance (quick answers)
- Part A deductible: $1,736 per benefit period; hospital coinsurance $434/day (days 61–90), $868/day lifetime reserve; SNF coinsurance $217/day (days 21–100). Most pay $0 Part A premium; buy-in premiums: $311 (reduced) / $565 (full). Source: CMS; last checked Jan 16, 2026.
- Part B premium (standard): $202.90/mo; Part B deductible: $283; IRMAA surcharges apply above $109,000 single / $218,000 joint (2024 income). Source: CMS & Medicare.gov; last checked Jan 16, 2026.
- Part D: Deductible up to $615; national base premium $38.99 (used for penalties); annual OOP cap $2,100 then $0 on covered drugs for the rest of the year; insulin caps and ACIP-recommended vaccines $0 continue. Source: NCOA, Medicare.gov, Medicare & You; last checked Jan 16, 2026.
- Medicare Advantage (MA): CMS finalized +5.06% average payment change to plans for 2026; some plans may narrow networks or adjust benefits. Source: CMS fact sheet; last checked Jan 16, 2026.
Bottom line: 2026 costs generally tick up, especially Part B; the new Part D $2,100 cap is protective for high drug spenders.
Part A (Hospital Insurance) costs in 2026
Deductible & coinsurance
- Inpatient hospital deductible: $1,736 per benefit period.
- Coinsurance: $0 days 1–60 (after deductible); $434/day days 61–90; $868/day lifetime reserve days after day 90 (up to 60 days lifetime).
- Skilled Nursing Facility (SNF): $217/day coinsurance for days 21–100; $0 days 1–20; all costs after day 100. Source: CMS Fact Sheet; last checked Jan 16, 2026.
Part A premiums (if you don’t qualify for premium-free)
- Reduced buy-in premium: $311/month (≥30 quarters of covered work).
- Full buy-in premium: $565/month (<30 quarters). Source: CMS Fact Sheet; last checked Jan 16, 2026.
Bottom line: Most beneficiaries pay $0 for Part A, but hospital and SNF coinsurance can add up—budget for potential multi-day stays.
Part B (Medical Insurance) costs in 2026
Standard premiums & deductible
- Monthly premium: $202.90 (standard).
- Annual deductible: $283. Source: CMS & Medicare.gov; last checked Jan 16, 2026.
IRMAA (income-related surcharges)
IRMAA uses 2024 Modified Adjusted Gross Income to set your 2026 surcharge. Brackets begin above $109,000 (single) / $218,000 (joint), scaling total Part B premiums up to $689.90 at the highest bracket. Source: Medicare.gov 2026 costs PDF; last checked Jan 16, 2026.
Tip: Major life changes (e.g., retirement, reduced income) may justify an appeal using SSA-44 to lower IRMAA. (Process details: SSA.) Source: Medicare.gov/SSA references; last checked Jan 16, 2026.
COLA vs. Part B: will your check feel smaller?
SSA’s 2026 COLA is 2.8%, but many retirees see part of that increase offset by the higher Part B premium. Your net effect depends on benefit size and IRMAA status. Source: SSA; last checked Jan 16, 2026.
Bottom line: Expect higher Part B costs to eat into modest COLA gains; verify whether IRMAA applies to you.
Part D (Prescription Drug) costs in 2026
Deductible and premiums
- Deductible: up to $615 (plan-specific; many enhanced plans waive or lower it). Source: NCOA; last checked Jan 16, 2026.
- National base premium: $38.99 (used for late-enrollment penalty and IRMAA calculations; your actual plan premium varies). Source: Medicare.gov; last checked Jan 16, 2026.
New out-of-pocket cap
- Annual OOP cap: $2,100 in 2026. After you reach it, you pay $0 for covered Part D drugs for the rest of the year. Source: Medicare & You 2026; last checked Jan 16, 2026.
Ongoing protections
- Insulin: capped at $35 for a 30-day supply (for covered insulins).
- ACIP-recommended vaccines: $0 cost sharing. Source: Medicare & You 2026; last checked Jan 16, 2026.
Late-enrollment penalty (LEP) refresher
Penalty is 1% × base premium ($38.99 in 2026) × months without creditable coverage, added to your plan premium—generally for as long as you have Part D. Source: Medicare.gov; last checked Jan 16, 2026.
Bottom line: The $2,100 cap is a major win for people with high drug costs; still compare formularies and deductibles to match your meds.
Medicare Advantage (Part C) in 2026: what to watch
- CMS finalized a +5.06% average change in MA plan payments for 2026. Plans may tweak premiums, benefits, and networks to respond to medical-cost trends and rule changes. Source: CMS Rate Announcement; last checked Jan 16, 2026.
- Expect local variation: some areas see stable $0-premium HMOs, others see narrower networks or higher MOOP. Review ANOC/EOC each fall.
Bottom line: Don’t assume last year’s MA plan is still best—shop benefits, providers, drugs, and MOOP in your county.
2025 vs. 2026: what changed?
Comparison table (headline items)
| Cost item | 2025 | 2026 | Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| Part B standard premium | $185.00 | $202.90 | +$17.90 |
| Part B deductible | $257 | $283 | +$26 |
| Part A inpatient deductible | $1,676 | $1,736 | +$60 |
| Hospital coinsurance (days 61–90) | $419/day | $434/day | +$15/day |
| SNF coinsurance (days 21–100) | $209.50/day | $217/day | +$7.50/day |
| Part D deductible (max) | $590 | $615 | +$25 |
| Part D annual OOP cap | $2,000 | $2,100 | +$100 |
Sources: CMS/Medicare.gov/NCOA; last checked Jan 16, 2026.
Bottom line: 2026 brings modest but broad increases across Parts A, B, and D; the drug OOP cap rises slightly but still shields high spenders.
Will 2027 Medicare costs rise or steady?
Signals to watch
- Drug-pricing pilots: CMS will pilot GLOBE (Part B; launches Oct 1, 2026) and GUARD (Part D; starts Jan 1, 2027) to benchmark prices internationally—aimed at reducing patient costs via rebates/alignments. Source: Reuters; last checked Jan 16, 2026.
- COLA interplay: If 2027’s Social Security COLA is muted (private estimates hover near the low-3%/mid-2% range), even small Part B increases could offset checks again. Source: SSA for 2026 context; current media estimates for 2027 vary.
- Part D structure: The $2,100 cap remains a key guardrail; watch for formulary design shifts and premium dispersion as plans adapt to new risk. Source: Medicare & You; last checked Jan 16, 2026.
What this could mean for you in 2027: Expect continued pressure on Part B premiums and Part D premiums/tiers, but GUARD may soften out-of-pocket trends if implemented effectively. Local MA markets may keep tightening networks to manage costs. Inference based on cited policy moves.
Bottom line: 2027 costs aren’t set yet, but policy pilots and drug negotiations point to cost-control attempts amid ongoing medical inflation.
Checklist: 8 ways to lower your 2026 Medicare costs
- Check IRMAA: if your 2024 income fell due to retirement, file SSA-44 to appeal. Source: Medicare.gov PDF; last checked Jan 16, 2026.
- Re-shop Part D: ensure your current meds are on formulary and compare tiers and preferred pharmacies.
- Consider mail-order/generics where appropriate.
- Use savings programs: apply for Extra Help/LIS if income ≤150% FPL; it can reduce premiums, deductibles, and copays.
- Evaluate MA vs. Medigap + Part D: weigh premiums vs. access/MOOP.
- Preventive care: use covered screenings/immunizations at $0 where applicable.
- Time procedures smartly around deductibles (Part B: $283).
- Ask providers about lower-cost alternatives or manufacturer assistance for high-tier drugs.
Bottom line: The surest savings come from IRMAA appeals, better-matched Part D plans, and taking full advantage of $0 preventive benefits.
Disclaimer
This article is educational and not legal, tax, medical, or financial advice. Medicare rules and plan details vary by location and carrier. Confirm specifics with Medicare.gov, CMS, SSA, and your plan.
Sensitive facts—source notes
- Part A/B 2026 figures and IRMAA tables: CMS/Medicare.gov. Source: CMS Fact Sheet; Medicare.gov 11579 PDF, last checked: January 16, 2026.
- Part D cap and benefits: Medicare & You 2026. Source: CMS/Medicare, last checked: January 16, 2026.
- Part D deductible max & LIS reminder: NCOA. Last checked: January 16, 2026.
- MA payment trend: CMS Rate Announcement (CY 2026). Last checked: January 16, 2026.
- 2026 COLA reference: SSA. Last checked: January 16, 2026.
- 2027 pilots: Reuters (CMS announcements). Last checked: January 16, 2026.
FAQ section
Q1. What is the Medicare Part B premium in 2026?
$202.90 per month (standard). IRMAA can raise this based on 2024 income.
Q2. What is the Medicare Part B deductible for 2026?
$283 for the year.
Q3. What is the Medicare Part A deductible in 2026?
$1,736 per benefit period; hospital coinsurance $434/day (61–90) and $868/day (lifetime reserve).
Q4. What are the 2026 IRMAA brackets for Parts B and D?
They start above $109,000 (single) / $218,000 (joint) (2024 MAGI). Total Part B premiums range $202.90–$689.90; Part D surcharges $14.50–$91.00.
Q5. What is the Part D deductible and out-of-pocket cap in 2026?
Deductible up to $615 (plan-specific); OOP cap is $2,100—then $0 on covered drugs.
Q6. How is the Part D late-enrollment penalty calculated in 2026?
1% × $38.99 (base premium) × months without creditable coverage, added to your plan premium.
Q7. Will Medicare premiums go up in 2027?
Not set yet. Watch Part B trends and CMS’s GUARD pilot starting Jan 1, 2027, which targets lower drug costs.
Q8. Does insulin still cost $35 under Medicare in 2026?
Yes, covered insulins are capped at $35 for a 30-day supply; ACIP-recommended vaccines are $0.