Medicare may pay for a portion of health care costs, but it doesn’t cover everything.
How much you can expect to spend on care and services depends on several factors. These include the type of Medicare plan you have, when you sign up for it and your annual income.
The good news is you have some control over your Medicare costs.
Read on to learn about how much Medicare coverage can cost. There are also some tips for keeping your expenses in check.
What do you need to know about Medicare costs?
Medicare costs vary by plan and coverage type — here are a few key facts:
- Most people can get a Medicare Part A premium-free.
- Part B and Part D can require monthly premiums, deductibles and cost sharing.
- With a Medicare Advantage (Part C) plan, your total costs will depend on the plan’s premium, copays and annual out-of-pocket limit.
How the different parts of Medicare affect what you pay
Medicare has different parts. You can combine them to deliver more complete health care coverage. Depending on your choice, you may need to pay Medicare premiums, copays, coinsurance, deductibles or other costs.
How much is Medicare Part A and Part B (Original Medicare)?
Medicare Parts A and B provide coverage for essential medical care. Together, Parts A and B are called Original Medicare.
Let's take a closer look.
How much is the Medicare Part A premium?
If you or your spouse worked and paid Medicare taxes for at least 10 years, you qualify for premium-free Part A. (Most people do.)
If you don’t meet that requirement, you can pay a monthly premium for Medicare Part A coverage. The amount depends on how long you’ve worked and paid Social Security taxes. Three months of work count as one “work credit.”
In 2026, the standard Medicare Part A premium is $565 if you have fewer than 30 credits. If you have 30 to 39 credits, it’s $311.
Medicare Part A hospital inpatient deductible and coinsurance
In 2026, you pay:
- $1,736 Medicare Part A deductible for each benefit period (A benefit period begins the day you go into the hospital. It ends when you haven’t received any care for 60 days in a row.)
- Days 1 to 60: $0 coinsurance for each benefit period
- Days 61 to 90: $434 coinsurance per day after day 60 of each benefit period
- Days 91 and beyond: $868 coinsurance per each "lifetime reserve day" after day 90 for each benefit period (up to 60 days over the course of your lifetime)
- Beyond lifetime reserve days: all costs
What does Medicare Part A cover?
Medicare Part A covers inpatient hospital stays and some care outside of the hospital. For instance, skilled nursing care after you leave the hospital.
Medicare Part A costs
Medicare Part A is generally no cost. But you will need to pay a Part A deductible before Medicare begins to cover any of your hospital costs. In 2026, the Part A deductible is $1,736. If you spend more than 60 days in the hospital, you will have coinsurance to pay.
What does Medicare Part B cover?
Medicare Part B can cover:
- Doctor visits
- Outpatient procedures, even if they occur at a hospital
- Lab services and other testing
- Durable medical equipment (think wheelchairs, hospital beds and oxygen tanks)
Medicare Part B costs
Here are some things to note about paying for Part B
- Most people pay a monthly premium for Part B.
- Before Medicare Part B starts paying for services, you must meet a deductible.
- The standard monthly payment is $202.90 in 2026.
- The annual deductible for Medicare Part B is $283 in 2026.
If your income is more than a certain amount, you pay the standard Part B premium plus an extra charge. This is called an Income-Related Monthly Adjustment Amount (IRMAA).
Part B enrollment penalty
The Medicare Part B premium may also cost more if you enroll later than three months after your 65th birthday and you don’t have other creditable health insurance, such as through an employer.
How much is a Medicare Part D prescription drug plan?
Medicare Part D provides coverage for prescription drugs. It can offer a degree of cost protection.
Medicare Part D costs
Here are some things to note about paying for a Part D plan:
- Medicare Part D premium amounts vary by plan and by where you live.
- In 2026, the average Medicare Part D monthly premium is $38.99. The annual Part D deductible is no more than $615.
- As with Part B, you may need to pay an extra monthly charge if you make more than a certain amount. It’s called the Medicare Part D IRMAA.
- You may also have to pay a Medicare copayment or coinsurance when you pick up your prescribed medicines. The more costly the prescription, the more you’ll pay.
Part D enrollment penalty
Ensuring you have consistent drug coverage is key. If you go 63 or more days in a row with no Medicare drug coverage or other creditable prescription coverage, you may have to pay a penalty if you sign up for Part D later.
Explore Medicare Part D drug plans to compare prescription coverage, premiums and deductibles
How much is Medicare Part C (Medicare Advantage)?
Medicare Part C plans, also known as Medicare Advantage, provide at least the same coverage as Original Medicare. But it often comes with added benefits. Benefits you can get with an Aetna ® Medicare Advantage plan:
- Prescription drugs
- Dental, vision and hearing services
- Basic fitness membership
- An allowance for certain over-the-counter (OTC) products
Learn more about the difference between Original Medicare and Medicare Advantage plans
Before you can sign up for Medicare Advantage, you must enroll in Original Medicare. This means you’ll pay your Part B premium plus your Medicare Advantage plan premium. These Medicare plans also have a copay for each service. The amount varies by plan.
A closer look at the Medicare Advantage plans costs
When choosing a Medicare Advantage plan, you have plenty of options — premiums, deductibles and copayments can vary. So will your out-of-pocket costs. But Medicare Advantage plan costs are often highly competitive and may be less than what you’d pay for Original Medicare.
Another thing to consider: Medicare Advantage plans limit how much you’ll spend out of your own pocket each year on covered medical services. Original Medicare has no such limit. This Medicare Advantage maximum out-of-pocket (MOOP) limit means you will never pay more than a certain amount every year for your health care, if you use services and providers in your plan. In 2026, the maximum Medicare Advantage out-of-pocket limit is $9,250 for in-network services and $13,900 for in-network and out-of-network services combined. But Medicare Advantage plan members may often pay less than that, depending on the plan.Your MOOP includes deductibles, copayments and coinsurance costs. But it does not include your Medicare Part A and B premium and Part D cost sharing.
Original Medicare vs. Medicare Advantage plans costs
The costs for each type of coverage depend on your health needs and the services you use. When looking at Medicare plans, crunch the numbers for some different scenarios, such as doctor visits, a hospital stay and yearly medicine costs. The results can help you decide.
Use the chart below to compare the difference in cost between Original Medicare and Medicare Advantage plans..
| Plan details | Original Medicare | Medicare Advantage |
|---|---|---|
| What does the plan cover? | Original Medicare provides hospital and medical coverage. | Medicare Advantage provides hospital and medical coverage. It may also include vision, dental, hearing and prescription drug coverage. |
| Maximum out-of-pocket costs | There is no Original Medicare out-of-pocket maximum. | In 2026, the maximum Medicare Advantage out-of-pocket limit is $9,250 for in-network services and $13,900 for in-network and out-of-network services combined. |
| Monthly premiums, deductibles and coinsurance | For most people, there is no Medicare Part A premium. The Medicare Part B premium is $185 for most people.
The Part A deductible is $1,736 for each hospital visit per benefit period and the Part B deductible is $286.
For Part A, your copayment for inpatient stays after you pay the deductible is $0 for days 1–60, $434 for days 61–90 and $868 for days 91–150 (while using lifetime reserve days). After day 150, you pay all costs.
Coinsurance for Part B is 20% of the cost of each covered service or item. | Premiums, deductibles and coinsurance for Medicare Advantage all vary depending on your plan. You pay the Part B premium while on a Medicare Advantage plan. Some Medicare Part C plans require you to pay an extra Medicare premium, and some don’t.
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To learn more about comparing Medicare plans and costs, go to “Which Medicare plan will save you the most money? It’s not always what you think.”
No matter which type you choose, Medicare can help you care for your overall health. It may not be completely free, but your Medicare coverage will be an essential way to pay for your health care as you age. In fact, it may be the best present you get for your 65th birthday.
Ready to choose a Medicare plan? Shop Aetna Medicare coverage options available in your area.
