Calculate your total monthly Medicare cost — Part A, Part B, Part D, and IRMAA surcharges based on your income. No login, no sales pitch, just the numbers.
In 2026, the standard Part B premium is $202.90 per month, and the annual deductible is $283. After you meet the deductible, Medicare typically pays 80% of the Medicare-approved amount for covered services, while you pay the remaining 20%.
For most beneficiaries, total monthly Medicare costs run $230–$270 for Parts B and D combined. But this figure understates costs for two groups: high-income beneficiaries who pay IRMAA surcharges, and beneficiaries without Medigap coverage who face significant out-of-pocket costs from the 20% coinsurance on all Part B services.
| Medicare Part | 2026 Standard Premium | Deductible | Key Cost-Sharing |
|---|---|---|---|
| Part A (Hospital) | $0 for most | $1,736/benefit period | $433/day (days 61–90); $866/day (lifetime reserve) |
| Part B (Medical) | $202.90/mo | $283/year | 20% coinsurance after deductible — no out-of-pocket max |
| Part D (Drug) | $30–$60/mo avg | Up to $590/year | Varies by plan and drug tier |
| Part B with IRMAA | $284.10–$689.90/mo | $283/year | Based on 2024 MAGI — two-year lookback |
| Medigap Plan G | $100–$180/mo avg | Part B deductible ($283) | Covers 20% coinsurance — no additional out-of-pocket |
IRMAA (Income-Related Monthly Adjustment Amount) is the most important Medicare cost that higher-income retirees consistently underestimate. For 2026, the IRMAA income brackets and surcharges increased approximately 3–9%. The surcharge applies to beneficiaries with income exceeding $109,000 for single filers or $218,000 for joint filers.
IRMAA works as a cliff. If your 2024 income is $109,001 as a single filer, you do not pay a small fraction more — you jump to the full next tier and owe $284.10 per month for Part B instead of $202.90. One dollar of additional income can trigger an $81.20 monthly increase.
| 2024 MAGI (Single) | Part B Premium | IRMAA Surcharge | Annual Extra Cost |
|---|---|---|---|
| $0 – $109,000 | $202.90/mo | $0 | $0 |
| $109,001 – $137,000 | $284.10/mo | +$81.20 | +$974/yr |
| $137,001 – $163,000 | $356.00/mo | +$153.10 | +$1,837/yr |
| $163,001 – $194,000 | $427.90/mo | +$225.00 | +$2,700/yr |
| $194,001 – $500,000 | $499.90/mo | +$297.00 | +$3,564/yr |
| Over $500,000 | $689.90/mo | +$487.00 | +$5,844/yr |
Married filing jointly: multiply each income threshold by 2. Data source: CMS 2026 official announcement.
The two-year lookback trap: Your 2026 IRMAA is based on your 2024 income. A one-time event in 2024 — selling a home, a large Roth conversion, an inheritance — can trigger IRMAA in 2026 even if your 2025 and 2026 income are well below the threshold. You can appeal IRMAA using SSA Form SSA-44 if your income dropped significantly after the determination year.
Medicare Advantage (Part C) is an alternative to Original Medicare delivered through private insurers. It bundles Parts A, B, and usually D into one plan. Many Advantage plans have $0 premiums — but that does not mean $0 cost.
| Feature | Original Medicare + Medigap | Medicare Advantage |
|---|---|---|
| Monthly premium | $202.90 (B) + $100–$180 (Medigap) + Part D | $0–$50/mo (many plans) |
| Out-of-pocket maximum | None (without Medigap) | $3,500–$8,300/yr (required by law) |
| Provider network | Any Medicare-accepting provider nationwide | Network-restricted (HMO/PPO) |
| Referrals required | No | Often yes (HMO plans) |
| Dental/vision/hearing | Not covered | Many plans include |
| Prior authorization | Rarely required | Frequently required |
| Best for | Heavy utilizers, complex conditions, travelers | Healthy beneficiaries, limited budget |
Every Medicare cost in 2026: premiums, deductibles, coinsurance, and out-of-pocket maximums for Parts A, B, D, and Medigap.
Read guide →Full IRMAA bracket tables for single and joint filers, how the two-year lookback works, and how to appeal using SSA-44.
Read guide →Side-by-side comparison of total costs, network restrictions, prior authorization, and which beneficiaries each option serves best.
Read guide →