Money & Benefits · Tracker
Medicare costs 2026, and the 2027 update
What Original Medicare costs in 2026, from medicare.gov, the enrollment windows that matter, and where the 2027 figures will appear the day CMS announces them.
Last verified · refreshed on-event
Medicare’s premiums and deductibles reset every January, and the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services announces the next year’s figures in the fall, usually a few weeks before or after open enrollment begins on October 15. The 2026 figures below are the ones medicare.gov shows today; the 2027 row for each item fills in when CMS publishes it.
Most people pay no premium for Part A because they or a spouse paid Medicare taxes for at least ten years. Part B carries a monthly premium for everyone, higher for people above the income thresholds, and it is deducted from Social Security payments, which is why the January cost-of-living increase can feel smaller than the headline percentage. Medicare open enrollment, explained covers what can and cannot be changed between October 15 and December 7.
Swipe sideways to see every column.
| Item | 2026 | 2027 | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Part B standard monthly premium | $202.90 (higher above the income thresholds) | Announced by CMS in the fall | medicare.gov |
| Part B annual deductible | $283 | Announced by CMS in the fall | medicare.gov |
| Part B coinsurance | Usually 20% of the Medicare-approved amount after the deductible | Unchanged by the annual update | medicare.gov |
| Part A premium | $0 for most people; $311 or $565 a month to buy in | Announced by CMS in the fall | medicare.gov |
| Part A hospital deductible | $1,736 per benefit period | Announced by CMS in the fall | medicare.gov |
| Skilled nursing facility, days 21 to 100 | $217 a day | Announced by CMS in the fall | medicare.gov |
| Part D premium | Varies by plan; higher above the income thresholds | Set by each plan; shown in Plan Finder from October 1 | medicare.gov |
| Open enrollment (change Part D or Medicare Advantage plans) | October 15 to December 7, 2026, for coverage starting January 1, 2027 | October 15 to December 7, 2027 | medicare.gov |
| Medicare Advantage open enrollment (only if already in a Medicare Advantage plan) | January 1 to March 31 | January 1 to March 31 | medicare.gov |
What to do
- Compare Part D and Medicare Advantage plans for 2027 in Plan Finder once the new plan details are posted, before December 7. Official link
- If your income two years ago was above the thresholds, expect a higher Part B and Part D premium; a life-changing event such as retirement can be appealed to SSA. Official link
- Keep Part B when first eligible unless you have employer coverage; the late-enrollment penalty lasts as long as you have Part B. Official link
Questions readers ask
- What is the Medicare Part B premium in 2026?
- The standard Part B premium is $202.90 a month in 2026, with an annual Part B deductible of $283. People with higher incomes pay an income-related surcharge on top of the standard amount.
- When is Medicare open enrollment?
- October 15 to December 7 every year, with changes taking effect on January 1. People already in a Medicare Advantage plan get a second window from January 1 to March 31 to switch plans or return to Original Medicare.
- When are the 2027 premiums announced?
- The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services usually announces the next year’s Part A and Part B amounts in the autumn, often in October or November. This page carries the 2027 figures the day they are published.
Dates ahead
- Medicare open enrollment opens
- Medicare open enrollment closes
- Medicare Advantage open enrollment opens
Background: Medicare open enrollment, explained
Mentioned:Centers for Medicare & Medicaid ServicesMedicare
How we reported this
Built from the documents in the Source Card. 2026 figures entered from medicare.gov on September 4, 2026; 2027 figures are added when CMS announces them.
Written by Mirza Seraj Baig · Checked against the documents in the source card (editorial standards).
Updates
- 2026 figures entered from medicare.gov on September 4, 2026; 2027 figures are added when CMS announces them.