Medicare Cost Calculator 2026 — Estimate Your Medicare Costs

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Medicare Cost Calculator

2026 premiums, deductibles & IRMAA

Your Profile

Your Age

Filing Status

Modified AGI (2 years prior) ($)

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 $185/mo + IRMAA if income > $106K

Part D (Prescription Drugs)

Average $42/mo + IRMAA if income > $106K

Medigap Supplement Plan

Covers Part A/B gaps; avg $150-$300/mo

Medigap Plan

Usage Estimate

Expected Healthcare Usage

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Enter your profile and coverage selections to estimate your 2026 Medicare costs.

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Understanding Your Medicare Costs

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 $106,000 (or $212,000 for married couples) 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: $185.00/month. IRMAA Tier 1 (MAGI $106K-$133K single): $259.00/mo. Tier 2 ($133K-$167K): $370.00/mo. Tier 3 ($167K-$200K): $480.90/mo. Tier 4 ($200K-$500K): $591.90/mo. Tier 5 (above $500K): $628.90/mo. Part B deductible: $257/year.

2026 Part A Costs

Most people pay $0 for Part A (10+ years of Medicare taxes). If 30-39 quarters: $284/mo. Under 30 quarters: $518/mo. Inpatient deductible: $1,676 per benefit period. Days 61-90: $419/day coinsurance. Lifetime reserve days: $838/day. Skilled nursing: Days 21-100: $209.50/day.

Part D in 2026

Significant 2026 change: Part D out-of-pocket cap reduced to $2,000 (down from $3,300 in 2025) by the Inflation Reduction Act. Standard deductible: $590. Average base premium: ~$42/month (varies by plan). IRMAA surcharges: $12.90-$81.00/month above standard 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.

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

When should I enroll in Medicare?+

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.

What is IRMAA and how does it affect my Medicare costs?+

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 $106,000 for single filers or $212,000 for married filing jointly. The surcharges range from about $74/month to $443.90/month above standard Part B premium, 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.

Should I choose Original Medicare or Medicare Advantage?+

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.

What does Medigap Plan G cover?+

Medigap Plan G covers: Part A deductible ($1,676 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 ($257 in 2026) — 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.

What is the Part D $2,000 out-of-pocket cap in 2026?+

Starting January 1, 2026, the Inflation Reduction Act reduces the Part D out-of-pocket cap to $2,000 per year for covered prescription drugs. This is a major improvement from the previous structure where some beneficiaries faced thousands in drug costs. The cap means once you've paid $2,000 in covered drug costs in a year, your Part D plan covers 100% for the rest of the year. In 2025, the cap was $3,300 with a different structure. 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.

Can I be penalized for late Part D enrollment?+

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 = 24% permanent penalty on the base premium (~$42/mo in 2026) = approximately $10/month extra, forever. 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.

How do I reduce my Medicare costs?+

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.

What does Medicare NOT cover?+

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.

How does Medicare work with other insurance?+

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.

What is Medicare's open enrollment period?+

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 1-31 — 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).