The 2026 Medicare premiums, deductibles, and copays for Medicare Parts A and B were recently announced by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) on November 14th. Here’s everything you and your clients need to know.
Medicare Part A
For most Americans, the premium for Medicare Part A is free. Medicare Part A covers inpatient hospitals, skilled nursing facilities, and some home healthcare services. Enrollees usually don’t pay a monthly premium for Medicare Part A coverage if they or their spouse paid Medicare taxes for a certain amount of time while working.
If your client doesn’t qualify for premium-free Part A, they can buy Part A.
Enrollees age 65 and older who have fewer than 40 quarters of coverage and certain persons with disabilities pay a monthly premium to voluntarily enroll in Medicare Part A. Individuals with at least 30 quarters of coverage or who were married to someone with at least 30 quarters of coverage may buy into Part A at a reduced monthly premium rate, which will be $311 in 2026, a $26 increase from 2025. Certain uninsured aged individuals who have less than 30 quarters of coverage and certain individuals with disabilities who have exhausted other entitlements will pay the full premium, which will be $565 a month in 2026, a $47 increase from 2025.
In most cases, if you choose to buy Part A, you must also:
- Have Medicare Part B (Medical Insurance)
- Pay monthly premiums for both Part A and Part B
Medicare Part B
Medicare Part B covers physicians’ services, outpatient hospital services, certain home health services, durable medical equipment, and certain other medical and health services not covered by Medicare Part A. The standard monthly premium for Medicare Part B enrollees will be $202.90 in 2026, an increase of $17.90 from $185.00 in 2025. The annual deductible for all Medicare Part B beneficiaries will be $283 in 2026, an increase of $26 from the annual deductible of $257 in 2025.
Medicare Part B & Part D Income-Related Monthly Adjustment Amounts
High-income earners may pay an additional surcharge, called IRMAA (Income-Related Monthly Adjustment Amount). The Part B IRMAA is an extra surcharge added to the Medicare Part B premium, while the Part D IRMAA is an additional surcharge high-income earners also pay, which may give you the right to enroll in a drug plan.
The 2026 Part B total premiums for high-income beneficiaries with full Part B and Part D coverage are shown in the following table:
| Individual Tax Return | Married & Joint Tax Return | Married & Separate Tax Return | Part B IRMAA | Part D IRMAA | Part B Premium | Monthly Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| $109,000 or less | $218,000 or less | $109,000 or less | $0.00 | $0.00 | $202.90 | $202.90 |
| Greater than $109,000 and less than or equal to $137,000 | Greater than $218,000 and less than or equal to $274,000 | N/A | $81.20 | $14.50 | $202.90 | $298.60 |
| Greater than $137,000 and less than or equal to $171,000 | Greater than $274,000 and less than or equal to $342,000 | N/A | $202.90 | $37.50 | $202.90 | $443.30 |
| Greater than $171,000 and less than or equal to $205,000 | Greater than $342,000 and less than or equal to $410,000 | N/A | $324.60 | $60.40 | $202.90 | $587.90 |
| Greater than $205,000 and less than $500,000 | Greater than $410,000 and less than $750,000 | Greater than $109,000 and less than $390,000 | $446.30 | $83.30 | $202.90 | $732.50 |
| Greater than or equal to $500,000 | Greater than or equal to $750,000 | Greater than or equal to $391,000 | $487.00 | $91.00 | $202.90 | $780.90 |
Source: CMS.gov and Medicare.gov
When Coverage Begins
It’s also important to note when your plan will begin based on your enrollment time:
- Enrolling 3 months before your 65th birthday: Medicare coverage will begin the first of the month you turn 65.
- Enrolling during the month of your 65th birthday: Medicare coverage will begin the first of the next month.
- Enrolling 1-3 months after your 65th birthday: Medicare coverage will begin the first day of the following month of enrollment.
With a local Medicare FMO serving independent agents in the Carolinas and all across the United States, you can find success in 2026! Stay up to date with the most important news in your industry by following us. If you would like help marketing for the new year, give us a call at (919) 460-6073 or email us at [email protected]
