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2026 Medicare Premiums Announced, Last Weeks of Open Enrollment
Last week, CMS released the 2026 premiums, deductibles, and coinsurance amounts for Medicare Part A and Part B, and the 2026 income-related monthly adjustment amounts for Part D. These amounts are set according to formulas in the Medicare law and depend on historical and projected health care costs.
The standard monthly premium for Medicare Part B will be $202.90 a month for 2026, an increase of $17.90 from $185.00 in 2025. The Medicare Part B deductible, or the amount beneficiaries must pay out of pocket before coverage begins, will be $283 in 2026, an increase of $26 from 2025. The Part A deductible will be $1,736, an increase of $60.
Most beneficiaries do not pay a premium for Part A, and those who do pay varied amounts depending on their work history. For people who pay the full Part A premium, that amount will increase by $47, to $565 a month.
These premium increases are lower than some projections, but they still represent a significant increase of 10%.
These premium increases are lower than some projections, but they still represent a significant increase of 10%. Combined with an average COLA, this hike could put added strain some beneficiaries’ budgets, or at least dampen excitement about the raise.
Certainly, premium costs, alongside expected out-of-pocket spending at the doctor’s office, pharmacy, and hospitals are top of mind as people with Medicare approach the last weeks of the Fall Open Enrollment period, where they can compare and make changes to their Part D or Medicare Advantage Enrollment. Ending December 7, this period marks the best opportunity for people to ensure they are enrolled in the right plan for their health and financial needs in 2026.
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5 Comments on “2026 Medicare Premiums Announced, Last Weeks of Open Enrollment”
Geff Ratcheson
November 20, 2025 at 5:18 pmCola’s are a joke. I always come out with a net loss every year.
Sallie Stillman
November 23, 2025 at 1:11 pmAs a retired person I worked my entire life and paid into Medicare so why should we have to pay for it being retired?? Not right we paid for it and still paying for it!
Gerald Skobinsky
November 24, 2025 at 8:10 amMy deduction for Medicare, from my Social Security check, rose from $174 per month to $591 per month all in one year. Medicare said that the increase would be about 10%, however, this is much greater than their estimate. It not only erased my COLA, took away the usual increase in the Social Security monthly benefit.
Debbie Fabregas
November 27, 2025 at 2:03 amAs far as the increase they increase our rates and take away a lot of help we need. I’m in need of dental work, I have been informed that they took all dental away. So my feelings are they need to reinstate dental and any other needs they have taken away from the ppl. I’m seriously thinking of going to find a Medicare company that has everything we all need. Also payments we have are to HIGH FIR THE ELDERLY
Km
December 5, 2025 at 12:54 pmMedicare has more increase in premiums (dont forget we have several other healthcare fees, like advantage, dental, eye…) than increase in pay. It never goes up with inflation, not even levels out even. Social security is horrible and not survivable to (for example, struggle to keep home after owning for 40 years). With a lot of us elders, 401k’s were not available in our days, we have always struggled to pay everyday life bills, never had enough to save to keep up with inflation. I’ve worked very hard, above average pay, 1 full time job, periodic part time, and one that didn’t pay anything also in between craft shows…to find out I don’t make much more than my mother 40 years ago. I am a very good budget person with integrity. But had to sacrifice everything to survive. Now you want to take my home too? Seniors have no rights, no-one listens, we are usually too old to protest….so I guess we are forgotten and maybe too late to enjoy life, like our parents did. I’ve noticed a huge change in our government shortly after graduation…early 1980’s? (And how many recessions?) Never been right since. Wish Trump was around in my younger days. I literally could cry!