What Medicare costs in 2026

These are the official 2026 amounts from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS). They change every January.

Part B (doctors and outpatient care)

• Standard monthly premium: $202.90. People with higher incomes pay more.
• Yearly deductible: $283. After that you usually pay 20% of the Medicare-approved amount.

Part A (hospital)

• Most people pay no premium for Part A, because they or a spouse paid Medicare taxes long enough.
• Inpatient hospital deductible: $1,736 for each benefit period. Skilled nursing care after a hospital stay costs $217 a day for days 21 to 100 (details).

Part D (prescriptions)

In 2026, what you pay out of pocket for covered drugs is capped at $2,100 for the year. Deductibles, copays and coinsurance count toward it; premiums don't. Once you reach it, you pay nothing more for covered drugs that year. The cap applies to stand-alone drug plans and to drug coverage in Medicare Advantage plans.

If money is tight

Medicare Savings Programs can help pay Part B premiums, and Extra Help lowers drug costs: see who qualifies in 2026. Higher incomes pay more; see the 2026 IRMAA brackets.