Every year, Medicare updates its premiums, deductibles, and IRMAA thresholds, and those adjustments change how much each coverage option actually costs, not just the premium that gets advertised. This guide brings together the key 2026 figures in one place — Part A, Part B, and IRMAA — and explains how those costs change the comparison between Medicare Advantage and Medigap, so you enter the Annual Enrollment Period with the full picture, not just the most visible number.
The standard Part B premium in 2026
Most beneficiaries pay $202.90 a month for Part B in 2026, an amount that is usually deducted directly from your Social Security check. This is the base premium before any income-related surcharge: if your 2024 tax return exceeded certain thresholds, you pay an additional amount on top of this figure, known as IRMAA, which we explain below.
If you enroll in Part B late without qualifying coverage in the meantime, you may also pay a permanent penalty on top of this base premium. That penalty is separate from IRMAA: it's added to the $202.90 standard premium, not to your already income-adjusted premium.
The Part A and Part B deductible in 2026
The 2026 Part B deductible is $283 for the year. It's a single amount per calendar year: once you've met it, Part B generally pays 80% of covered medical and outpatient services, and you pay the remaining 20% coinsurance for the rest of the year, with no out-of-pocket maximum under Original Medicare.
The Part A deductible works differently: it's paid per hospital benefit period, not once a year, so someone with more than one separate hospitalization in 2026 can end up paying it more than once. You can see the full breakdown of benefit periods and daily coinsurance in our Medicare Part A guide.
Availability, cost, benefits, and eligibility vary by person, product, contract, and insurance company, as well as by your service area. Guarantees are subject to the claims-paying ability of the issuing insurance company. Karla Arámburo is not affiliated with or endorsed by Medicare or the federal government.
The 2026 IRMAA thresholds
If your 2024 modified adjusted gross income (MAGI) exceeded $109,000 as a single filer or $218,000 filing jointly, you pay an additional surcharge on top of the base Part B premium, and also on your Part D plan if it includes drug coverage. The surcharge is calculated in tiers: the higher the income, the higher the surcharge, up to a maximum of $689.90 a month for Part B alone at the top income levels.
This threshold and its full set of tiers, plus how to appeal if your income dropped due to a qualifying life event such as retirement, are explained in detail in our full 2026 IRMAA guide, which includes the full tier table and Form SSA-44 for requesting a reconsideration. This page focuses on the overall cost picture; that guide focuses specifically on the IRMAA surcharge.
How these costs change the comparison: Medicare Advantage vs. Medigap
A $0-premium Medicare Advantage plan does not eliminate the Part B premium or a possible IRMAA surcharge: both still apply regardless of which plan you choose. What changes is how the 20% coinsurance and deductible get handled: with Medicare Advantage, that risk is restructured into specific per-service copays and an annual out-of-pocket maximum, which varies by plan.
With Original Medicare and a Medigap supplement like Plan G, you pay a higher fixed monthly premium in exchange for the plan covering nearly all of the Part B coinsurance after the annual deductible, which gives more month-to-month predictability but a higher fixed cost regardless of how much care you use. We compare both paths in our Medicare Advantage vs. Medigap guide.
For someone with few medical expenses in a typical year, a low-premium Medicare Advantage plan can cost less overall. For someone with frequent hospitalizations or regular specialist visits, Medigap's predictability can avoid more expensive surprises throughout the year, even though the monthly premium starts out higher.
How to choose the most affordable plan for your budget during AEP
The Annual Enrollment Period, October 15 through December 7, is the time to compare these figures for the following year before they take effect on January 1. Instead of looking only at the advertised monthly premium, I review the estimated total yearly cost with you: premium, deductible, typical copays based on your current medications and doctor visits, and the plan's out-of-pocket maximum.
That comparison also takes into account whether your recent MAGI could put you in an IRMAA tier, whether you qualify for Extra Help or a Medicare Savings Program that would lower your costs, and whether your preferred doctors and hospitals are in the network of the plan you're considering, before you make a decision for 2027.
How I help you find the right plan
Karla Arámburo is a bilingual, independent, licensed insurance agent serving Southern California residents. I compare the premiums, deductibles, and out-of-pocket limits of the plans available for your ZIP code, explain their strengths and limitations honestly in English or Spanish, and help you choose the option that best fits your budget during the Annual Enrollment Period.
My guidance and enrollment help are free because licensed agents are paid by the insurance companies, not by you. Call or text (619) 321-8733 to schedule a no-cost, no-pressure conversation. This page is general education, not tax advice or an enrollment recommendation; Medicare figures update every year, and we always confirm the current amount before you decide.
Frequently asked questions
How much is the standard Part B premium in 2026?
The standard Part B premium in 2026 is $202.90 a month for most beneficiaries. If your income from two years ago exceeded certain thresholds, you pay an additional surcharge called IRMAA on top of this base premium.
Does everyone pay the same Part A premium?
No. Most people pay no Part A premium at all because they already covered it through Medicare taxes withheld from their paychecks. Those who didn't accumulate enough work credits pay a monthly premium that varies based on how many credits they do have.
Is the Part B deductible paid only once a year?
Yes. The 2026 Part B deductible is $283 for the year. Once you've met it, Part B generally pays 80% of covered medical services and you pay the remaining 20% coinsurance for the rest of the calendar year.
Does a Medicare Advantage plan eliminate these costs?
It doesn't eliminate them, but it restructures them. You still pay the Part B premium, and your Medicare Advantage plan replaces the 20% coinsurance with its own copays and an annual out-of-pocket maximum, which varies by plan and carrier.
Does Medigap eliminate the risk of the 20% coinsurance?
It depends on the plan. Plan G, one of the most popular, covers the Part B coinsurance almost entirely after the annual deductible, in exchange for a fixed monthly premium. That provides cost predictability, though the premium itself can be higher than a Medicare Advantage plan's.
Does IRMAA affect my premiums even if I choose Medicare Advantage?
Yes. IRMAA is added to your Part B premium and, if your plan includes drug coverage, to Part D as well, regardless of whether you choose Medicare Advantage or Original Medicare with a stand-alone drug plan. Choosing a $0-premium plan doesn't exempt you from the IRMAA surcharge.
When should I review my costs before switching plans?
The best time is during the Annual Enrollment Period, October 15 through December 7, when you can compare the premiums, deductibles, copays, and out-of-pocket limits of the plans available for the following year before they take effect on January 1.
Can you help me find the most affordable plan for my budget?
Yes. I review your budget, your current medications, and your doctors, and compare the estimated total yearly cost — premium, deductible, and copays — across available plans, not just the advertised monthly premium, at no cost and with no pressure to enroll.