2026 Medicare costs & premiums
2026 plan yearPart A and Part B figures, IRMAA brackets by income, and Washington State Medicare Savings Programs that can lower or eliminate your premiums.
What you pay for an inpatient hospital stay
| Item | You pay |
|---|---|
| Deductible | $1,736 per benefit period |
| Coinsurance, days 1 to 60 | $0 per day |
| Coinsurance, days 61 to 90 | $434 per day |
| Coinsurance, 60 lifetime reserve days (after day 90) | $868 per day |
What you pay for a skilled nursing facility stay
| Item | You pay |
|---|---|
| Coinsurance, days 1 to 20 | $0 per day |
| Coinsurance, days 21 to 100 | $217 per day |
A 3-day inpatient hospital stay is required first.
| Item | You pay |
|---|---|
| Part B deductible | $283 per calendar year |
| Part B coverage | Generally 20% after the deductible is met |
Medicare Advantage plans replace this cost structure with plan copays. Medicare Supplement plans cover some or all of it. The Medigap Plan Comparison shows what each standardized plan covers.
Everyone enrolled in Part B pays at least the standard $202.90/month premium. Higher income enrollees pay a Part B IRMAA on top, and a Part D IRMAA added to their plan premium.
| If your MAGI in 2024 was (individual) | Joint return | Part B premium + IRMAA | Part D IRMAA |
|---|---|---|---|
| $109,000 or less | $218,000 or less | $202.90 | None |
| $109,001 to $137,000 | $218,001 to $274,000 | $284.10 | + $14.50 |
| $137,001 to $171,000 | $274,001 to $342,000 | $405.80 | + $37.50 |
| $171,001 to $205,000 | $342,001 to $410,000 | $527.50 | + $60.40 |
| $205,001 to $499,999 | $410,001 to $749,999 | $649.20 | + $83.30 |
| $500,000+ | $750,000+ | $689.90 | + $91.00 |
MAGI = Adjusted Gross Income (Form 1040 line 11) + tax-exempt interest (line 2a).
These Washington State programs can pay some or all of your Medicare costs. You can be on standard Medicare or a Medicare Advantage plan. No estate recovery applies. Take your gross monthly household income, subtract $20, and compare it to the chart.
| Program | Income limit (single) | Income limit (married) | What it pays |
|---|---|---|---|
| QMB (≤110% FPL) | $1,483/mo | $2,004/mo | Part A & B premiums, deductibles, copays |
| SLMB (110% to 120% FPL) | $1,616/mo | $2,185/mo | Part B premiums |
| QI-1 (120% to 138% FPL) | $1,855/mo | $2,510/mo | Part B premiums |
| QDWI (138% to 200% FPL) | $2,680/mo | $3,628/mo | Part A premiums |
These limits come from the Washington Health Care Authority and took effect April 1, 2026. They use the 2026 federal poverty level ($15,960 single / $21,640 couple) plus the $20/month general income exclusion. The state uses SSI-related counting rules (chapter 182-512 WAC), so income slightly over a limit may still qualify after deductions.