69M+Americans enrolled in MedicareCMS 2025
$202.90Standard Part B monthly premium2026 official — up 9.7% from $185
$689.90Maximum Part B IRMAA surchargeHighest bracket 2026
The Four Parts of Medicare — 2026 Costs
| Part | What It Covers | 2026 Cost | Critical Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Part A — Hospital | Inpatient hospital, skilled nursing (limited), hospice, home health | $0 premium for most; $1,736 deductible per benefit period; $217/day SNF days 21–100 | Does NOT cover long-term custodial care |
| Part B — Medical | Doctor visits, outpatient care, preventive services, DME | $202.90/month (+9.7% from 2025); $283 annual deductible; 20% coinsurance with NO out-of-pocket max | Unlimited 20% exposure without a Medigap supplement |
| Part C — Advantage | All of A+B via private insurer; often includes dental, vision, hearing | Average ~$14/month for MAPD; in-network OOP max $9,350 | Network restrictions; prior authorization required |
| Part D — Drugs | Prescription drug coverage via private plans | Average ~$34.50/month (decreased); $2,100 OOP cap; max deductible $615 | Late enrollment = permanent 1%/month penalty |
Medigap Supplement Plans — 2026
Medigap plans are standardized by the federal government. Same letter = same coverage, regardless of insurer. Plan G is the gold standard for most new enrollees. Your 6-month Open Enrollment window at 65 is your one guaranteed opportunity.
| Plan | Part A Coinsurance | Part B 20% | Part A Deductible ($1,736) | Part B Deductible ($283) | Foreign Travel |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Plan G ⭐ | ✓ 100% | ✓ 100% | ✓ 100% | ✗ Pay $283/yr | 80% |
| Plan N | ✓ 100% | ✓ w/copays | ✓ 100% | ✗ | 80% |
| Plan F* | ✓ 100% | ✓ 100% | ✓ 100% | ✓ 100% | 80% |
| Plan K | ✓ 100% | 50% | 50% | ✗ | ✗ |
| Plan A | ✓ 100% | ✓ 100% | ✗ | ✗ | ✗ |
* Plan F only available to those Medicare-eligible before January 1, 2020.
2026 IRMAA Brackets — Part B Premium (Based on 2024 Income)
IRMAA Is Based on Your 2024 Tax Return for 2026 Coverage
The IRMAA cliff is real — $1 over a bracket threshold can cost a couple $2,000+ more per year at the $202.90 base premium. The 2026 threshold increased to $109,000 individual / $218,000 married joint.
- Roth IRA qualified distributions do NOT count toward IRMAA MAGI
- Traditional IRA/401(k) withdrawals, Roth conversions, RMDs, capital gains — all count
- Appeal IRMAA if income has significantly decreased using SSA Form SSA-44
| 2024 MAGI — Individual | 2024 MAGI — Married Joint | Part B Premium | IRMAA Added |
|---|---|---|---|
| ≤ $109,000 | ≤ $218,000 | $202.90 | $0 |
| $109,001 – $137,000 | $218,001 – $274,000 | $284.10 | +$81.20 |
| $137,001 – $171,000 | $274,001 – $342,000 | $405.80 | +$202.90 |
| $171,001 – $206,000 | $342,001 – $412,000 | $527.50 | +$324.60 |
| $206,001 – $500,000 | $412,001 – $750,000 | $649.20 | +$446.30 |
| Above $500,000 | Above $750,000 | $689.90 | +$487.00 |
2026 Example: A married couple with $300,000 MAGI on their 2024 return pays $405.80 each for Part B ($811.60/month combined) plus Part D surcharges — over $886/month before any plan costs. The $17.90 Part B increase consumed ~32% of the average Social Security COLA for 2026.
Medicare Is Too Important to Navigate Alone
The 2026 figures represent some of the largest single-year Medicare cost increases in recent history. Our team integrates every updated figure into your complete retirement protection strategy.