When Is Medicare Free? How Much Does Medicare Cost?
Original Medicare (Parts A and B) costs $202.90 per month in 2026 for most people.
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Original Medicare is made up of two parts: A and B. Medicare Part A (pays for hospital stays) is usually free, but almost everyone has to pay $202.90 per month for Medicare Part B (pays for medical care).
If you have a Part D, Medicare Advantage or Medicare Supplement plan, you'll have an extra monthly cost on top of paying for Part B. The total cost for all your Medicare will typically be between $202.90 and around $445 per month, depending on the coverage you choose.
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How much does Medicare cost?
Depending on the combination of plan options you choose, Medicare usually costs between $202.90 and around $445 per month.
What you pay depends on what parts of Medicare you have. The main coverage from Medicare comes from Parts A and B, which are offered by the federal government. Most people don't pay for Part A. The monthly fee for Part B is set by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS).
- Cost for Part A: Usually free. Part A covers hospital care if you are 65 or older.
About 99% of people get Medicare Part A for free. You get free Part A if you or your spouse worked for at least 10 years (40 quarters). That's because you paid Medicare taxes during your working years. If you have a disability, you can get free Medicare Part A without meeting the work requirements.
- Cost for Part B: $202.90 per month in 2026. Most people pay this standard amount for Part B, which covers medical care outside of hospitals. This includes doctor appointments, lab tests and diagnostics.
You can add other types of Medicare coverage to Parts A and B. For example, you can add Part D to cover prescription drugs or a Medicare Supplement policy to get extra coverage for medical bills. That's why your total Medicare costs depend on the extra coverage you buy.
The cheapest option is usually to pay for Medicare Part B and enroll in a $0 Medicare Advantage bundle with drug coverage.
But if you need frequent medical care, getting the cheapest combination of plans is not usually a good idea. It can be worth it to pay for Part B and then add on Medicare Supplement and Part D drug coverage. Your monthly bills might be higher, but you could save enough on medical costs to come out ahead.
Type of Medicare coverage | What affects prices | Typical monthly cost |
|---|---|---|
| Part A (hospital care) | 99% of enrollees get coverage for free | $0 |
| Part B (medical care) | Rate set annually by the government | $202.90 |
| Part C (Advantage bundle) | The plan you choose | $27 |
| Part D (prescriptions) | The plan you choose | $62 |
| Medicare Supplement Plan G | Your age, gender and the company you choose | $180 |
Medicare Advantage (Part C), Part D and Medicare Supplement plans come from private insurance companies. The costs for these plans vary depending on where you live and what company you choose.
For example, a Medicare Advantage plan with prescription drug coverage costs an average of $27 per month. But in most places, there's at least one plan available that has no monthly rate.
The cost for Medicare Supplement plans, also called Medigap plans, depends on the plan you choose, whether or not you signed up when you were first able to and if your state allows age to be used when setting prices.
Because of the cost changes, it can be helpful to compare plan options when you first sign up for Medicare and to review your choices every year. This helps you get the best deal based on the plan options where you live and your current medical needs.
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Is Medicare Part A free?
Most people get Medicare Part A for free because they paid Medicare taxes while they were working.
If you are 65 or older, you have to meet the work requirement to get free Part A. But if you qualify for Medicare because of a disability, you are automatically eligible for free Part A.
Type of Medicare enrollee | Work requirement for free Medicare Part A |
|---|---|
| Seniors | You or a spouse worked for at least 10 years |
| Those who have a disability | No work requirement |
The small percentage of people who do not meet the work criteria pay between $311 and $565 per month for Medicare Part A.
Is Medicare Part B free?
Medicare Part B is only free if you have a low income and are enrolled in one of the Medicare Savings Programs for financial help.
In some states, you can qualify even if you earn a higher income or have a large amount of money saved or invested.
In 2025, you'll typically be eligible for a Medicare Savings Program if you earn less than $21,372 per year as an individual or less than $28,800 per year as a married couple. Some states will automatically enroll you if you are eligible. Check with your state's Medicaid office to see if you're eligible for one of the three Medicare Savings Programs that lower the cost of Medicare Part B.
Medicare Savings Program | Typical income limit (indiv.) |
Typical asset limit (indiv.)
|
|---|---|---|
| Qualified Medicare Beneficiary (QMB) | $15,900 per year | $9,660 |
| Specified Low-Income Medicare Beneficiary (SLMB) | $19,020 per year | $9,660 |
| Qualifying Individual (QI) | $21,372 per year | $9,660 |
- The Qualified Medicare Beneficiary (QMB) program can pay for the monthly plan costs as well as medical costs, including your deductible, coinsurance and copays.
- The Specified Low-Income Medicare Beneficiary (SLMB) and Qualifying Individual (QI) programs will only help pay the monthly cost of Part B, but you still need to have Part A to qualify.
You can also save by being enrolled in both Medicare and Medicaid. In many states, you'll qualify for Medicaid if you earn less than $21,597. Being in both programs can reduce or eliminate your health care costs. And you can still enroll in a Medicare Savings Program to reduce your monthly cost for Medicare Part B, as long as you also have Part A.
Can you get free Medicare Advantage (Part C)?
Yes, about three in four people with Medicare Advantage have a free plan.
Some Medicare Advantage plans don't have a monthly rate, although you still have to pay for Part B. These plans typically include coverage for hospital stays, medical care, prescription drugs and other extra benefits such as dental, vision and fitness programs.
With some free Medicare Advantage plans, you may pay more when you need medical care. But if you don't go to the doctor often, you could save money overall. And there are high-quality plans that have no monthly rate or a low monthly rate. You often don't have to sacrifice good customer service or quality coverage to get a free or cheap plan.
Free and cheap Medicare Advantage plans aren't available everywhere. Unfortunately, there isn't any way to get a free plan unless one is offered in your area.
Is Medicare Part D free?
In some states, you can get a Part D plan for free.
The national average cost for Medicare Part D is $62 per month, but most people can get a cheaper or free plan.
State | Free Part D available? |
|---|---|
| Alabama | Yes |
| Alaska | Yes |
| Arizona | Yes |
| Arkansas | Yes |
| California | Yes |
Info is for 2026 Part D plans.
It's also possible to get $0 prescription drug coverage if you qualify for help from the government, called Extra Help. You can get Extra Help by making less than $23,475 as an individual and you have no more than $17,600 in other resources, such as money in a bank account, stocks and bonds.
Eligibility for Extra Help | Annual income limit | Resources limit (cash, stocks or bonds) |
|---|---|---|
| Individual | $23,475 | $17,600 |
| Married couple | $31,725 | $35,130 |
With the Extra Help program, people with low incomes can qualify for full or partial benefits. The program can lower the cost of your plan and what you pay for medications. With full benefits, you'll pay no more than $5.10 for each generic prescription drug and $12.65 for each brand-name drug that's covered.
You may also be able to get free prescription drug benefits by choosing a Medicare Advantage bundle instead of a stand-alone Medicare Part D plan. However, this option is only possible if $0 Medicare Advantage plans are offered in your area. And choosing a bundle plan will also affect your health care benefits.
Can you get free Medicare Supplement (Medigap) plans?
You can't get a free Medicare Supplement plan. Medigap plans always have a cost.
Despite the high monthly cost, Medicare Supplement plans are usually a good choice if you have complex or expensive medical needs. That's because, overall, the plan will save you more money than it costs. With a Medigap plan, you can go to any doctor that takes Medicare, rather than being limited to a network of doctors and hospitals like you would be with a Medicare Advantage plan.
If you have a low income and qualify for Medicaid, you probably don't need a Medicare Supplement plan. Your Medicaid benefits will pay for the extra costs from Medicare, helping you reduce or eliminate your medical bills, although there may be some exceptions.
If you don't qualify for Medicaid, there are three ways to lower the cost of a Medigap plan.
- Choose a plan with less coverage such as Plan K, which costs an average of $87 per month. Just remember that the cheaper options usually don't have as much coverage.
- Choose a high-deductible plan. With these plans, coverage won't start until you pay the $2,950 deductible each year. That means you probably won't have the extra coverage when getting routine care, but you will get help from the plan if you need an expensive treatment.
- Choose a Select plan that limits your Medigap benefits to in-network doctors rather than covering any doctor who accepts Medicare.
If you have a high income, your costs for Medicare will be higher
You'll pay more for Part B and Part D in 2026 if the income on your 2024 tax return is more than $109,000 as an individual or above $218,000 if you file as a married couple. You'll use your total income minus some deductions and tax penalties, which is called your modified adjusted gross income (MAGI).
The higher cost is based on your income taxes from two years ago and is called the income-related monthly adjustment amount (IRMAA).
Type of Medicare | Cost for high-income earners |
|---|---|
| Part B (medical care) | $284.10 to $689.90 per month |
| Part D (prescription drugs) | An extra $14.50 to $91 per month + your plan cost |
Why do you have to pay for Medicare?
You have to pay for some costs with Medicare because your taxes don't cover the full cost of coverage.
The payroll taxes you paid when working only pay for about a third of the cost of the Medicare program. The monthly rates that people with Medicare pay make up about 15% of the program's budget.
This means that the benefits you get from the Medicare program are worth much more than what you pay each month.
How to save on Medicare costs
While Medicare is generally cheaper than private health insurance, you can take more steps to lower your monthly costs.
- Make sure you're getting all of the discounts you're eligible for
- Sign up when you're first eligible to avoid late-enrollment penalties
- Look for Medicare Advantage plans with rewards programs for healthy activities
- Look for Medicare Advantage plans with a Part B giveback program to lower how much you pay for Part B
- Work with a financial advisor to limit the high-income Medicare surcharge
More than a million people are thought to be eligible for a Medicare Savings Program but aren't enrolled. If you have a low income, it's important to check your eligibility so you can save money.
Frequently asked questions
Is Medicare free at age 65?
No, most seniors pay between $202.90 and around $445 per month, depending on what kinds of Medicare coverage they buy. However, seniors who have a low income can qualify for free or reduced-cost Medicare.
What is the monthly cost for Medicare?
Depending on what specific Medicare Parts you choose, most people pay between $202.90 and about $445 per month for coverage. Most people don't pay for Medicare Part A. Part B costs $202.90 per month in 2026. If you have a Part D prescription drug plan, you'll pay an average of $62 per month. Medicare Advantage plans with prescription drug coverage cost $27 per month, on average, and Medigap Plan G costs an average of $180 per month.
Is Medicare Part A free for everyone?Do you have to pay for Medicare?
Yes, most people pay $202.90 per month for Medicare Part B and may pay more if they choose extra coverage options. Part A is free if you worked for 10 years or more.
What is the Medicare deductible for 2026?
In 2026, Medicare Part B (doctor visits) has a $283 per year deductible and Part A (hospital stays) has a $1,736 deductible that resets 60 days after you leave the hospital. You may have to pay a separate deductible if you have prescription drug coverage through a Part D or Medicare Advantage plan.
Can I get Medicare Part B for free?
If you have a low income, you can qualify for free Medicare Part B benefits. Eligibility for a Medicare Savings Program varies by state, with a typical individual qualifying with an annual income of less than $21,375.
Methodology and sources
Medicare Advantage rates for 2026 are from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) public use files. Rates include only plans with prescription drug coverage. Medicare savings account (MSA) plans, employer-sponsored plans, special needs plans (SNPs), sanctioned plans, Program of All-inclusive Care for the Elderly (PACE) plans and prepayment plans (HCPPs) were excluded from our analysis.
Part D rates are also from the 2026 CMS public use files. Rates exclude sanctioned and employer-sponsored plans.
Medicare Supplement rates are based on 2026 data for private insurance companies. Average costs are for a 65-year-old nonsmoking woman who does not have a household discount and signed up for a plan when she was first eligible and didn't have to answer health questions. States that have their own Medigap system and Select plans are excluded from average rates.
Other sources include KFF, Medicare.gov and the Social Security Administration.
Insurance Writer
Cate Deventer is a ValuePenguin writer who specializes in health insurance, Medicare, auto and home insurance. She's been a licensed insurance agent since 2011.
She started her insurance career working as a customer service agent for State Farm. She later moved to an independent agency, where she worked with several insurance companies and hundreds of clients. She quoted policies, filed claims and answered insurance questions. In 2021, she pivoted her career and began writing about insurance for Bankrate. She moved to ValuePenguin in 2023 and began writing about health insurance and Medicare.
Cate has a passion for helping readers choose insurance to fit their needs. She enjoys knowing that her research and knowledge help people choose insurance products that make a positive difference in their lives.
How insurance helped Cate
Cate used her health insurance knowledge to navigate a surgery in 2023. Understanding how her policy worked let her focus on recovery instead of worrying about bills.
Expertise
- Health insurance
- Medicare & Medicaid
- Auto insurance
- Home insurance
- Life insurance
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- Licensed Life, Accident & Health Insurance Agent
- Licensed Property & Casualty Insurance Agent
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- CBS
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- BA, Theatre, Purdue University
- BA, English, Indiana University
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