Part A (hospital insurance)
| 2026 cost | Amount |
|---|---|
| Premium (40+ quarters of work) | $0 (99% of beneficiaries) |
| Premium (30–39 quarters) | $311 a month |
| Premium (fewer than 30 quarters) | $565 a month |
| Deductible per benefit period | $1,736 |
| Hospital days 61–90 | $434 a day |
| Days 91–150 (lifetime reserve days) | $868 a day |
| After day 150 | All costs |
A benefit period starts when you’re admitted and ends after 60 days in a row out of hospital or skilled nursing care, so you can pay the deductible more than once a year.
Part B (medical insurance)
| 2025 | 2026 | 2027 (projected) | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Standard monthly premium | $185.00 | $202.90 | $209.50 |
| Annual deductible | $257 | $283 | $292 |
2027 figures are the Medicare trustees’ projection; CMS usually announces the actual amounts in the fall.
After the deductible, you usually pay 20% of the Medicare-approved amount for doctor services and outpatient care, with no cap. Higher-income beneficiaries pay an income-related monthly adjustment (IRMAA) on top of the standard premium, based on tax returns from two years earlier.
Part D (prescription drugs)
| 2026 | 2027 | |
|---|---|---|
| Out-of-pocket cap | $2,100 | $2,400 |
| Maximum standard deductible | $615 | $700 |
| Average stand-alone plan premium | $35.09 | about $36 |
Covered insulin is capped at $35 a month. The Medicare Prescription Payment Plan lets you spread drug costs over the year in monthly amounts. See our Part D guide.
Medicare Advantage costs
- Average premium: $14.37 a month in 2026, projected at about $12 in 2027, on top of Part B.
- 75% of people in individual plans with drug cover paid no extra premium in 2026.
- In-network out-of-pocket limit: up to $9,250 in 2026, averaging $5,421; the average is expected to rise to $6,603 in 2027.
- The average Medicare Advantage drug deductible is projected to rise to $509 in 2027.
Medigap costs
Medigap premiums vary by plan letter, age, state and insurer. Premiums start from about $40 a month. For example, NerdWallet found a 65-year-old nonsmoking woman in Atlanta could buy Plan G from about $129 a month, high-deductible Plan G from $44 and Plan K from $66. See our Medigap guide.
Example: a hospital stay
A person with only Original Medicare who spends five days in hospital and then has follow-up outpatient care would pay the $1,736 Part A deductible, the $283 Part B deductible and 20% of outpatient costs. If those outpatient costs reach $20,000, that’s another $4,000, about $6,000 in total, with no annual cap. A Medigap Plan G would cover nearly all of this except the Part B deductible; a Medicare Advantage plan would cap in-network costs at its out-of-pocket limit.
Help paying for Medicare
- Medicare Savings Programs can pay Part B premiums, and sometimes deductibles and coinsurance, for people with limited income and assets.
- Extra Help lowers Part D premiums and drug costs.
- Medicaid may cover costs Medicare doesn’t for people who qualify for both.
Your state Medicaid office or SHIP counselor (1-877-839-2675) can check eligibility.
Frequently asked questions
How much does Medicare cost per month in 2026?
Most people pay $0 for Part A and $202.90 for Part B, plus premiums for any Part D, Medigap or Medicare Advantage plan.
What will the Part B premium be in 2027?
CMS hadn’t announced it as of mid-October 2026. The Medicare trustees projected $209.50 a month with a $292 deductible.
Is there an out-of-pocket maximum for Medicare?
Not in Original Medicare. Medicare Advantage plans have an in-network limit (up to $9,250 in 2026), and Part D has a drug cap ($2,100 in 2026, $2,400 in 2027).
What is IRMAA?
An income-related monthly adjustment amount that higher-income people pay on top of standard Part B and Part D premiums.
Can I get help paying for Medicare?
Yes. Medicare Savings Programs, Extra Help and Medicaid can lower premiums and costs for people with limited income.
Sources
- Medicare.gov – Medicare costs
- CMS – 2026 Medicare Parts A & B premiums and deductibles
- AARP – 2027 Part B premium projection (Oct 2026)
- CMS – Medicare Advantage and Part D expected to remain stable in 2027 (Sept 2026)
- Becker’s Hospital Review – CMS final 2027 rate announcement
- Holland & Knight – CMS finalizes CY 2027 Medicare Advantage and Part D rule
- NCOA – Updates to Medicare Part D for 2026
- KFF – Medicare Advantage in 2026
- Straight Arrow News – Medicare open enrollment begins with fewer plans (Oct 2026)
- NerdWallet – What to know about Medigap
- NCOA – State Health Insurance Assistance Program (SHIP)
Insurance prices, discounts and rules change often and vary by state. Figures were checked in October 2026; confirm details with the insurer or your state insurance department.