Want to estimate your Medicare costs for 2026? Use this straightforward breakdown.
How do you calculate your 2026 Medicare costs?
Start with the fixed pieces: most people pay $0 for Part A and a $202.90 monthly Part B premium in 2026. Next, check whether IRMAA applies by looking at your 2024 MAGI — above $109,000 (single) or $218,000 (joint), add the surcharge for your tier. Then add the cost of the coverage you choose: a Part D drug plan (often $35-$40 a month), or a Medicare Advantage plan, or a Medigap plan plus Part D. Finally, factor in deductibles — $283 for Part B and $1,736 per benefit period for Part A. The total is your estimated annual cost.
Why a live quote beats an online calculator
Online Medicare calculators give ballpark numbers, but they cannot account for your exact ZIP code, age, health, and the specific carriers available where you live — all of which change Medigap and Medicare Advantage prices significantly. A licensed agent can run real quotes across multiple carriers in minutes and show you side-by-side totals, not estimates. There is no cost to you for this help. Call 1-800-MEDIGAP (1-800-633-4427) to get accurate numbers for your situation instead of a generic guess.