Estimate your total 2026 Medicare premiums — Part A, Part B, IRMAA surcharges, Part D drug coverage, and Medigap supplements. Free for all 50 states.
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These calculators provide estimates based on 2026 Medicare data for educational purposes only. Medicare costs and coverage vary by plan, location, and individual circumstances. Contact Medicare directly at 1-800-MEDICARE or medicare.gov for official information. Consult a licensed Medicare advisor for plan-specific guidance. This site is not affiliated with or endorsed by Medicare or the US government.
Understanding Medicare costs starts with knowing the four parts of Medicare. Part A (hospital insurance) covers inpatient hospital stays, skilled nursing facility care, and home health care. Most people pay nothing for Part A if they or their spouse paid Medicare taxes for at least 10 years (40 quarters). Those with 30–39 quarters pay $278/month, and those with fewer than 30 quarters pay $505/month in 2026.
Part B (medical insurance) covers outpatient services, doctor visits, and preventive care. The standard 2026 Part B premium is $185/month. However, Medicare uses a 2-year lookback — your 2026 premium is based on your 2024 Modified Adjusted Gross Income (MAGI). If your income exceeds certain thresholds, you pay Income-Related Monthly Adjustment Amounts (IRMAA), ranging from $74/month to $450/month in additional Part B premiums. Singles earning over $106,000 and couples earning over $212,000 trigger IRMAA.
Your total Medicare cost depends heavily on whether you choose Original Medicare or Medicare Advantage. With Original Medicare, you typically add a Part D prescription drug plan (average $46.50/month in 2026) and a Medigap supplement like Plan G (averaging ~$175/month for a 65-year-old) to fill coverage gaps — total roughly $406/month before any IRMAA. Medicare Advantage combines Parts A, B, and usually D into one plan, with an average premium of just $17/month in 2026 on top of your Part B premium, saving many seniors $200–$300/month in premiums.
Margaret is 64 and will turn 65 in March 2026. She worked for 30 years paying Medicare taxes. Her 2024 MAGI was $98,000 (single filer). She wants original Medicare with the most comprehensive coverage.
If Margaret chose Medicare Advantage instead, her average premium would be $17/month (in addition to $185 Part B), totaling approximately $202/month — saving $204.50/month ($2,454/year). However, she'd have copays for services, network restrictions, and prior authorization requirements. With her current doctor relationships and desire for predictable costs, Original Medicare with Plan G is a strong choice for Margaret.
Income-Related Monthly Adjustment Amounts (IRMAA)
IRMAA is the most overlooked Medicare cost driver. If your MAGI in 2024 exceeds $106,000 (single) or $212,000 (married filing jointly), you pay additional Part B premiums ranging from $74/month to $450/month extra. IRMAA is a cliff — earning $1 above the threshold can cost $74/month more. Recent retirees who had a high-income year often trigger IRMAA based on that prior income, even if their current income is much lower. You can appeal using SSA Form SSA-44 if you had a qualifying life-changing event that reduced your income.
Original Medicare vs. Medicare Advantage
The biggest cost decision is between Original Medicare (Parts A + B with optional Medigap and Part D) and Medicare Advantage (Part C). Original Medicare with Plan G provides comprehensive, predictable coverage with no network restrictions — you can see any Medicare-accepting provider nationwide. Medicare Advantage offers lower monthly premiums (average $17/month in 2026) and often includes extra benefits like dental and vision, but requires using network providers and may need prior authorization for services.
Part A Work History
Premium-free Part A requires 40 quarters (10 years) of Medicare-covered employment. If you or your spouse have fewer qualifying quarters, you pay Part A premiums — significantly increasing your total Medicare cost. Immigrants who became US citizens later in life, those who worked primarily in non-covered government positions, or those with limited work histories should calculate their actual Part A premium when estimating Medicare costs.
Medigap Plan Choice and Timing
Medigap (Medicare Supplement) premiums vary significantly by plan type, insurer, age, and state. Plan G is the most comprehensive for new Medicare beneficiaries, while Plan N offers lower premiums with office visit copays. The most important timing consideration: buy Medigap during your 6-month open enrollment window starting when you turn 65 with Part B. During this period, insurers cannot deny coverage or charge more based on health status. Missing this window can make Medigap unavailable or much more expensive.
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In 2026, the standard Medicare Part B premium is $185/month. Most people pay $0 for Part A if they or their spouse paid Medicare taxes for at least 10 years. If you add a Part D prescription drug plan (average $46.50/month) and a Medigap Plan G supplement (average ~$175/month for a 65-year-old), your total Medicare costs would be approximately $406/month. Medicare Advantage plans offer an alternative — average premium $17/month on top of Part B — with lower monthly costs but different coverage rules. Higher-income beneficiaries pay more due to IRMAA surcharges on Part B (and Part D).
The standard Medicare Part B premium for 2026 is $185.00 per month — a modest increase from prior years. However, if your income was above $106,000 (single) or $212,000 (married filing jointly) in 2024, you pay higher premiums called IRMAA surcharges, ranging from $259/month to $635/month depending on income. Part B covers outpatient services, doctor visits, preventive care, durable medical equipment, and most non-hospital Medicare services. The Part B annual deductible in 2026 is $257, after which Medicare pays 80% and you pay 20% (unless you have a Medigap supplement).
No — Medicare premiums vary based on income, work history, and coverage choices. The standard Part B premium is $185/month, but higher-income beneficiaries pay more through IRMAA surcharges. Part A is free for those who paid Medicare taxes for 10+ years, but costs $278/month (30–39 quarters) or $505/month (under 30 quarters) for those without sufficient work history. Part D and Medigap premiums vary by plan and insurer. Your total Medicare cost depends on which coverage you choose and your specific income situation.
Medicare eligibility begins at age 65. Your Initial Enrollment Period (IEP) starts 3 months before your 65th birthday month and ends 3 months after — a 7-month window. If you are already receiving Social Security benefits, you are automatically enrolled in Parts A and B and coverage begins the first day of your birthday month. If you are not on Social Security, you must actively enroll. If you have employer coverage through active employment, you can delay Medicare enrollment without penalty using a Special Enrollment Period when that coverage ends.
Yes, with some important differences. If you never worked (or have fewer than 30 quarters of Medicare-covered work), you can still get Medicare at age 65, but you will pay a premium for Part A — $278/month with 30–39 quarters of work, or $505/month with fewer than 30 quarters. Part B is available to everyone at 65 for the standard $185/month premium. You may also qualify through a spouse's work record — if your spouse has 40+ quarters of Medicare-covered employment and you are 65, you can get premium-free Part A. Spouses who are still married, divorced (after 10+ years of marriage), or widowed may qualify.
While Medicare premiums are set federally, Medicare Advantage plan availability, Medigap regulations, and state-specific Medicare programs vary significantly by state. Select your state for local Medicare information.