2026 Medicare
Costs & Coverage
2026 Medicare cost information from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS). We help Connecticut residents navigate every part of Medicare.
Dariusz (Darek) Orlowski
Licensed Insurance Agent
Peter Kovalevich
Licensed Insurance Agent
What is Medicare?
Medicare is a federal program that offers health insurance to American citizens and other eligible individuals. The program is often called Original Medicare (Parts A & B).
Sample Medicare Card
Who Can Get Medicare?
Medicare eligibility is primarily for U.S. citizens and legal residents who have lived in the U.S. for at least 5 consecutive years, including the 5 years just before applying and have worked for at least 10 years (or have a spouse who has) in covered employment.
You must also meet one of the following:
- ✓ Age 65 or older
- ✓ Younger than 65 with a qualifying disability for at least 24 months
- ✓ Any age with a diagnosis of end-stage renal disease (ESRD) or ALS
What Does Medicare Cover?
Original Medicare (Parts A & B)
- Part A Covers inpatient hospital and skilled nursing care
- Part B Covers doctor visits and outpatient care
You Can Choose to Add More Coverage
- Part D Prescription drug plans help pay for medications prescribed by a doctor or other health care professional
- Medigap Medicare supplement insurance plans help pay some of the out-of-pocket costs not paid by Original Medicare
- Part C Medicare Advantage plans combine Part A, Part B and often prescription drug coverage (Part D). Some plans may offer additional benefits like coverage for routine vision and dental care
What Are My Coverage Options?
You can add coverage to Original Medicare (Parts A and B) or choose a Medicare Advantage plan instead.
Part A + Part B
Original Medicare only
Part A + Part B + Part D
Original Medicare with drug coverage
Part A + Part B + Medigap
Original Medicare with supplement
Part A + Part B + Part D + Medigap
Original Medicare with drug coverage & supplement
Or you may choose Medicare Advantage Plan (Part C) which is a private, “all-in-one” alternative to Original Medicare offered by Medicare-approved insurance companies. You still have Medicare, but you get your coverage through that plan, not Original Medicare. You must have both Part A and Part B to join. These plans bundle Medicare Part A (hospital) and Part B (medical) coverage, usually include Part D (prescription drugs), and often provide extra benefits like dental, vision, or hearing care.
Medicare Costs & Deductibles
$0–$565/mo
Part A Premium
Most pay $0
$1,736
Part A Deductible
Per benefit period
$202.90/mo
Part B Premium
Standard 2026 rate
$283
Part B Deductible
Once per year
Hospital Insurance Costs
Monthly Premium
Most people don’t pay a Part A premium because they paid Medicare taxes while working. If you don’t get premium-free Part A, you pay up to $565 each month.
If you don’t buy Part A when you’re first eligible (usually at age 65), you might pay a late enrollment penalty.
Skilled Nursing Facility Stay
- • $0 for the first 20 days of each benefit period
- • $217/day for days 21–100 of each benefit period
- • All costs for each day after day 100
Hospital Inpatient Stay
$1,736
Deductible
Per benefit period
$0/day
Days 1–60
After deductible
$434/day
Days 61–90
Per benefit period
$868/day
Lifetime Reserve Days
After day 90 (max 60 days lifetime)
All costs
After Day 150
No coverage
Medical Insurance Costs
Most people pay the standard Part B monthly premium of $202.90 in 2026. However, if your income is above certain thresholds, you’ll pay an Income-Related Monthly Adjustment Amount (IRMAA).
The 2026 Part B annual deductible is $283. You pay this once each year before Original Medicare starts to pay.
2026 Part B Premium — Based on 2024 Income
| File Individual Tax Return | File Joint Tax Return | File Married & Separate | You Pay Each Month (2026) |
|---|---|---|---|
| $109,000 or less | $218,000 or less | $109,000 or less | $202.90 |
| above $109,000 up to $137,000 | above $218,000 up to $274,000 | not applicable | $284.10 |
| above $137,000 up to $171,000 | above $274,000 up to $342,000 | not applicable | $405.80 |
| above $171,000 up to $205,000 | above $342,000 up to $410,000 | not applicable | $527.50 |
| above $205,000 and less than $500,000 | above $410,000 and less than $750,000 | above $109,000 and less than $391,000 | $649.20 |
| $500,000 or above | $750,000 or above | $391,000 or above | $689.90 |
Questions about your Part B premium? Call Social Security at 1-800-772-1213. TTY: 1-800-325-0778.
Medicare Advantage Plans
Medicare Advantage (Part C) plans are offered by private insurance companies approved by Medicare. Premiums vary by plan and location. To find and compare plan premiums in Connecticut, visit Medicare.gov/plan-compare or call 1-800-MEDICARE (1-800-633-4227).
As your local Connecticut Medicare broker, we can help you compare Medicare Advantage plans available in New Britain, Hartford, and surrounding areas — at no extra cost to you.
Drug Coverage Premiums
The 2026 Part D national base premium is $38.99. If your income is above a certain limit, you’ll pay an income-related monthly adjustment amount (IRMAA) in addition to your plan premium.
2026 Part D Premium — Based on 2024 Income
| File Individual Tax Return | File Joint Tax Return | File Married & Separate | You Pay Each Month (2026) |
|---|---|---|---|
| $109,000 or less | $218,000 or less | $109,000 or less | Your plan premium |
| above $109,000 up to $137,000 | above $218,000 up to $274,000 | not applicable | $14.50 + your plan premium |
| above $137,000 up to $171,000 | above $274,000 up to $342,000 | not applicable | $37.50 + your plan premium |
| above $171,000 up to $205,000 | above $342,000 up to $410,000 | not applicable | $60.40 + your plan premium |
| above $205,000 and less than $500,000 | above $410,000 and less than $750,000 | above $109,000 and less than $391,000 | $83.30 + your plan premium |
| $500,000 or above | $750,000 or above | $391,000 or above | $91.00 + your plan premium |
If you pay a late enrollment penalty, your total premium amount may be higher. Visit Medicare.gov to learn how to avoid late enrollment penalties.
Key Medicare Dates
New Coverage Begins
New coverage begins if you made a plan change. If you enrolled for the first time mid-year then that is your start date for your initial coverage. Medicare coverage renews every January 1st regardless of when your initial coverage took effect. If you kept your existing coverage and your plan’s costs or benefits changed, those changes also start on this date. (Contact your plan if these changes aren’t in your account after 10 days.)
Medicare Advantage Open Enrollment Period
If you’re in a Medicare Advantage Plan, you can change to a different Medicare Advantage Plan or switch to Original Medicare (and join a separate Medicare drug plan). Any changes will be effective the first day of the month after the plan gets your request. During this period, you cannot switch from Original Medicare to a Medicare Advantage Plan, join a Medicare drug plan if you’re in Original Medicare, or switch between Medicare drug plans if you’re in Original Medicare.
Start Comparing Plans for 2027
Start comparing your current Medicare health or drug coverage with options for 2027 before Open Enrollment (AEP) starts. Plans may have changed monthly costs, copays, deductibles and/or how your prescription drugs will be covered next year. You may be able to save money or get extra benefits.
Open Enrollment & Annual Election Period (AEP) for 2027
It’s Open Enrollment and the Medicare Annual Election Period (AEP). You can change your Medicare health or drug coverage for 2027, if you decide to. You can join, switch or drop a Medicare Advantage Plan or Medicare drug plan, or switch to Original Medicare. The AEP is the primary time each year when Medicare beneficiaries can review and change their Medicare Advantage (Part C) and Medicare Part D prescription drug plans. Changes made during this period take effect January 1, 2027.
We do not offer every plan available in your area. Currently we represent 8 organizations which offer 45 products in your area. Please contact Medicare.gov, 1-800-MEDICARE, , 1-800-MEDICARE, or your local State Health Insurance Program (SHIP) to get information on all of your options.