The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services announced the Medicare premiums, coinsurance, and deductibles for 2026. The amounts have increased, which will affect many seniors. Seniors wondering about the Medicare Premium and its impact can find the full details here.
Medicare offers US federal health insurance for seniors and some adults with certain conditions and disabilities. The health insurance program makes hospital bills and drugs affordable for seniors and protects them from high healthcare costs.
The Medicare Trustees have already predicted the increase in Medicare premiums earlier, and now the CMS has announced the increase from $185 to $202.90 in 2026 for the Medicare Part B premium. Recently, the Social Security COLA 2026 was also announced, which would bring changes for seniors’ Social Security.
What is the increase in the Medicare Part B premium and deductible for 2026?
Medicare Part B covers the outpatient hospital services, physicians’ services, certain home health services, health services, durable medical equipment, and other services that are not covered under Part A. The beneficiaries generally do not pay a premium in Part A because they have a minimum of 40 quarters of Medicare-employment.
With the COLA 2026 increase, the CMS has now released the increased premiums, deductibles, and other changes that would impact seniors. The increase in the standard premium was due to the increased prices and unitlization increases.
The standard premium for enrollees is increased to $202.90 for 2026, by $17.90 from $185 premium in 2025. The deductible for Medicare Part B enrolled in 2026 is $283 from $257. As per the released statement, here are the increased premiums and deductibles for the Medicare Part B, and if your income is higher, you will pay IRMA :
| Beneficiaries filing a tax return individually with MAGI | Beneficiaries filing tax return jointly with MAGI | IRMA (Income-related monthly adjustment amount) | Total Premium Amount |
| Less than or equal to $109,000 | Lower than or equal to $218,000 | $0 | $202.90 |
| Above $109,000 but less than or equal to $137,000 | Above $218,000 but less than or equal to $274,000 | $81.20 | $284.10 |
| Above $137,000 but less than or equal to $171,000 | Above $274,000 but less than or equal to $342,000 | $202.90 | $405.80 |
| Above $171,000 but less than or equal to $205,000 | Above $342,000 but less than or equal to $410,000 | $324.60 | $527.50 |
| Above $205,000 but less than $500,000 | Above $410,000 but less than $750,000 | $446.30 | $649.20 |
| Above or equal to $500,000 | Above or equal to $750,000 | $487 | $689.90 |
What will be the Medicare Part A deductible and coinsurance for 2026?
Medicare Part A covers the inpatient hospital costs, hospice, inpatient rehabilitation, skilled nursing facility, and other healthcare services. Almost 99% of enrolled do not pay the premium, so with the increase in the premium, the enrollees can expect an increase in deductible and coinsurance, such as:
| 2025 | 2026 | |
| Inpatient Hospital deductible | $1,676 | $1,736 |
| Daily hospital coinsurance for lifetime reserve days | $838 | $868 |
| Daily Hospital Coinsurance for 61 to 90th day | $419 | $434 |
| Nursing facility coinsurance | $209.50 | $217 |
How Medicare premium increase impact seniors?
The increase in the Medicare standard premium will impact seniors, as the premium is paid through their Social Security. Here’s how the Medicare Premium will impact the seniors:
- The Social Security for 2026 is increased based on the 2.8% 2026 COLA, but now the increase in Medicare premiums can leave seniors with a reduced payout increase. The payment for seniors will experience a $56 a month increase with COLA, but with the Medicare Premium rise, their average monthly COLA increase will be $38.10 only.
- The high-income earners will pay extra with IRMA, which could impact their budget.
- With the increase in deductibles, the seniors will spend more on hospital stays, doctor visits, and outpatient care.
What’s the hold harmless to lessen the impact of the Medicare Premium?
Seniors wondering about the Medicare Premium increase and its impact on Social Security should know that they can be protected from the increase through the hold-harmless provision. The provision is for the recipients with a Social Security payout of $640 or less.
The provision prevents the premium increase from being higher than the Social Security COLA increase; that is, if the premium is above the COLA, you will not pay the full premium increase. So, if you have Social Security of $640 or less, your Social Security increase will be $18 less than for each month due to this provision.
However, if you do not qualify for this provision, the premium will impact your Social Security as per the rules. The provision may save seniors from paying full premium costs, but it will not impact the Part D premiums and other costs.
Medicare is a boon for seniors, considering increasing healthcare costs, but the premium increase can affect seniors, especially their Social Security 2026 COLA increase. So, seniors, do check your Medicare premiums based on your income and coverage.
Disclaimer: These 2026 Medicare premium updates are for informational purposes only; actual amounts and eligibility are determined by CMS.