How Much Does Medicare Cost Per Month in 2026?

There is no one price for Medicare. Anybody handing you a single number is guessing, because a big piece of it is your prescriptions — and that is different for every single person. But most of it we can pin down.

Start with the parts everybody pays

Part B covers your doctor visits and outpatient care. In 2026 it is $202.90 a month, usually taken straight out of your Social Security check.

Part A is the hospital side, and for most people there is no premium at all — as long as you worked and paid Medicare taxes for about 10 years.

Together those two cover roughly 80% of your medical costs. The other 20% is on you, and on Original Medicare alone there is no cap on it. So the rest of this is really about how you handle that 20%.

Option one: Medicare Advantage

A lot of Advantage plans have a low premium — some are $0 — and they usually include drug coverage. So your monthly cost can stay right around that $202.90.

Option two: a Supplement

Supplements run about $110 to $220 a month depending on your age and where you live, plus a separate drug plan that averages around $35. That puts you somewhere near $350 to $460 a month.

But the premium is only half the picture

With a Supplement like Plan G, you pay the Part B deductible — $283 in 2026 — and after that you are essentially covered for the year.

With Advantage, you pay copays as you go, and those add up. Some plans let them climb all the way to a $9,250 out-of-pocket maximum in 2026 before you are capped, though most plans set theirs lower.

And the drug costs?

That unpredictable piece we started with does have a ceiling now. Either way you go, Part D out-of-pocket costs cap at $2,100 in 2026.

So which way is cheaper?

It is a trade-off, not a winner. Pay a little more every month and keep things predictable, or pay less monthly and more when you actually use care. Neither one is better — it comes down to your budget and your health.

If those numbers feel out of reach

Do not assume you are stuck. There are programs that may pay your Part B premium outright if your income is limited — the Medicare Savings Programs, and Extra Help for drug costs. A lot of people who qualify never apply, usually because nobody told them.

Common questions

How much is Medicare Part B in 2026?

$202.90 a month for most people. Higher earners pay more through IRMAA.

Is Medicare Advantage cheaper than a Supplement?

Month to month, usually. Across a year with real medical use in it, often not. The premium is only part of the cost.

Is there a cap on Medicare drug costs?

Yes. Part D out-of-pocket spending is capped at $2,100 in 2026.

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I am Rick Caso, an independent Medicare advisor with Falcon Life and Health, based in Port Charlotte, Florida and licensed in 24 states. If you want to walk through your own situation, call or text 941-412-2362.