If you’re enrolled in Medicare or becoming eligible soon, it’s important to know that costs for Original Medicare (Part A + Part B) will be higher in the calendar year 2026. The federal agency Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) has released the new figures.
Here are the key figures:
Part B (Medical Insurance)
The standard monthly premium for Part B will be $202.90 in 2026, up from $185.00 in 2025. That’s an increase of $17.90/month (about +9.7%).
The annual deductible for Part B will be $283 in 2026, up from $257 in 2025 — that’s a $26 increase.
As before, after you meet the deductible you typically pay 20% coinsurance on most services that Medicare covers (assuming the provider accepts assignment).
For beneficiaries with incomes above certain thresholds (IRMAA – Income-Related Monthly Adjustment Amount), the premium will be higher.
Part A (Hospital Insurance)
The deductible for an inpatient hospital stay (for beneficiaries who have the standard premium-free Part A) will rise to $1,736 in 2026, up from $1,676 in 2025. That’s a $60 increase.
Daily coinsurance amounts for extended hospital days and skilled nursing facility days also go up. For example:
Days 61-90 of a hospital stay (in a benefit period): $434/day in 2026, up from $419/day in 2025.
Skilled nursing facility days 21-100: $217/day in 2026 vs $209.50 in 2025.
If you pay a premium for Part A (because you don’t have 40 quarters of work credits or are otherwise in the group that pays), that premium rises as well.
Why These Increases?
The increases in premiums and deductibles reflect the fact that healthcare costs continue to rise (facility, physician, equipment costs) and the utilization of services under Medicare is increasing. CMS notes that for Part B the increase is “mainly due to projected price changes and assumed utilization increases consistent with historical experience.”
Put another way: even if you don’t personally use more services, the overall cost pool Medicare covers is higher — and a portion of that gets passed through to you as increased premiums/deductibles.
What You, the Beneficiary, Should Remember
Deductibles reset at the beginning of each calendar year.
For Part B: Your annual deductible resets January 1. That means you’ll start the year with the new $283 deductible before coinsurance applies.
For Part A: Although it’s not an annual deductible in the calendar year sense (it’s per benefit period), you should still be aware each time you are admitted that the deductible has increased to $1,736 in 2026.
Keep in mind: if you are admitted late December into January you may have two benefit periods or new cost obligation — so knowing the reset rules is important.
Budget for the increase.
If you pay Part B premiums (most do, via Social Security deduction) your monthly cost is going up. Make sure that is part of your fixed budget.
The increase may not seem huge month-to-month ($17.90 more for standard Part B) but over a year it’s more than $200 extra, and when combined with higher deductibles it can add up.
For Part A you may not pay a premium (if you are eligible for premium-free Part A), but when you are hospitalized the deductible and coinsurance are higher — so you should factor that into any risk planning.
Review your coverage and supplemental protection now.
If you have a Medigap (supplemental insurance) plan, what it covers may change in impact given higher underlying deductibles.
If you are in a Medicare Advantage plan (Part C) or considering switching, you should compare total cost (premium + deductible + coinsurance + out-of-pocket maximum) with Original Medicare + supplement.
Because costs are changing, an open-enrollment review is prudent to ensure you’re in the most cost-effective plan for your health needs.
Use the date January 1 to your advantage.
Since deductibles reset at the calendar year, if you anticipate needing services you might plan them accordingly (if feasible) with your doctor.
If you’re receiving supplemental coverage through retiree benefits or employer/union plans, check whether changes in Medicare cost sharing alter what your supplemental pays.
Don’t forget the “benefit period” concept for Part A.
Unlike many health plans that use calendar years for hospital deductible resets, Part A uses a benefit period. A benefit period begins the day you’re admitted as an inpatient and ends when you haven’t received inpatient care for 60 days in a row. So if you’re admitted again after 60 symptom-free days, a new benefit period begins — and you’d owe the deductible again.
With the deductible higher in 2026, understanding timing becomes more important.
Why We Are Talking About This Now
At Stark Associates Insurance Agency we believe that staying ahead of cost changes helps our clients avoid unpleasant surprises. Medicare cost changes are part of your financial picture that most people don’t update annually — but they should. Because you already have several other fixed expenses (housing, utilities, etc.), this Medicare cost increase, combined with inflation elsewhere, means your budget matters.
Additionally:
If your income is high enough to trigger the Income-Related Monthly Adjustment Amount (IRMAA) for Part B (and Part D) premiums, you’ll want to know how that surcharge is calculated and how your income levels from two years ago affect your 2026 cost.
For bring-down of handicap: staying healthy matters. While this is a bit of a tangent, managing your health (through exercise, diet, preventive care) can reduce hospitalizations or costly interventions — which becomes more impactful when your deductible or coinsurance is higher.
We also remind you that you should review your Medicare plan during the Annual Enrollment Period (October 15 – December 7) each year for any changes. The new 2026 figures are set now, so you can use them in your decision making.
Final Thoughts
Yes — costs are going up for Medicare in 2026: both premiums and deductibles (for Part B) and the hospital-inpatient deductible and coinsurance (for Part A). But this is normal; Medicare costs typically increase annually. The key is awareness.
If you or someone you counsel is on Medicare, take these steps now:
Review your upcoming budget for the higher Part B premium and higher Part B deductible.
If you have hospital risk (planned surgery, etc.), check the timing and deductible for Part A and limit unexpected out-of-pocket.
Talk with your insurance advisor (that’s us) about whether your supplemental coverage or Medicare Advantage plan is still the best fit in light of the higher numbers.
Mark January 1, 2026 in your calendar — that’s when these new cost levels take effect and your deductible “year” begins (for Part B).
Stay in communication: If your income changed, or you anticipate major medical services, let us know so we can review implications (especially IRMAA).
At Stark Associates Insurance Agency we stand ready to help you navigate these changes, review your options, and make sure you’re positioned well for 2026.
“Professionalism. Expertise. Dedication.” — That’s not just our tagline; it’s how we approach your Medicare strategy.
