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Medicare Education from Calvin Sulak

Medicare Basics

Understand Original Medicare, current cost examples, and the two common ways people add coverage.

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2026 Medicare Cost Snapshot

Medicare Basics

A practical guide to Original Medicare, Medicare Advantage, prescription drug coverage, and Medicare Supplement choices.

Original MedicareProvided by the federal government
Part A

Hospital InsuranceMost people pay a $0 monthly premium

Helps cover inpatient hospital care, skilled nursing facility care, hospice, and certain home health services.

Inpatient hospital deductible
$1,736 per benefit period
Hospital days 61–90
$434 per day
Lifetime reserve days
$868 per day
Skilled nursing days 21–100
$217 per day
Part A premium when not premium-free
$311 or $565 per month, depending on work credits
Part B

Medical InsuranceStandard premium: $202.90 per month

Helps cover doctor visits, outpatient services, preventive care, durable medical equipment, and other medically necessary services.

Annual deductible
$283
Typical coinsurance after deductible
20% of the Medicare-approved amount
Higher-income premium
May apply based on tax-reported income

After Parts A and B, there are two common coverage paths

Original Medicare does not include a yearly out-of-pocket limit and does not automatically include most outpatient prescription drug coverage.

Option 1

Keep Original Medicare

Use Parts A and B as your primary coverage, then consider one or both of the following:

Medicare Supplement InsuranceOffered by private insurance companies

May help pay certain Part A and Part B deductibles, copayments, and coinsurance. Premiums vary by company, location, plan letter, age, and other permitted rating factors.

Standalone Part D Drug PlanOffered by Medicare-approved private plans

Helps cover prescription drugs. Premiums, formularies, pharmacies, deductibles, and cost sharing vary by plan. In 2026, covered Part D out-of-pocket drug costs are capped at $2,100.

OR
Option 2

Choose Medicare Advantage — Part C

A Medicare-approved private plan provides Part A and Part B benefits. Most plans include Part D drug coverage and may offer extra benefits.

  • You must remain enrolled in Parts A and B and continue paying the Part B premium.
  • Plan premiums, networks, referrals, copays, deductibles, and benefits vary by plan and service area.
  • Plans have an annual limit on what you pay out of pocket for covered medical services.
  • Provider networks and prescription formularies should be reviewed before enrollment.
Important: These are general 2026 Medicare amounts. Medicare Advantage, Part D, and Medicare Supplement premiums and benefits vary. Amounts may change each calendar year, and individual costs may differ because of income, late-enrollment penalties, eligibility, plan selection, or assistance programs.
Official annual figures: Medicare year 2026. CMS Part A & B source · Medicare.gov Part D source · CMS Medigap source
Figures may change each calendar year. Plan-specific premiums, benefits, copayments, networks, and availability vary.
Calvin Sulak
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