The amount you pay each month for Medicare, called the premium, depends on various individual factors. These factors include the coverage you choose, your income, the medications you take, and your other healthcare needs.

In general, people eligible for Medicare can enroll in Original Medicare (Part A and Part B) or Medicare Advantage (Part C).

With Original Medicare, many people may qualify for a premium-free Part A. And income determines the monthly cost of Part B.

Those with Original Medicare can enroll in a Part D prescription drug plan and a Medigap plan. Private insurers offer these plans, and each has separate monthly premiums.

If you elect to enroll in a Medicare Advantage plan instead of Original Medicare, your monthly premium may vary based on the plan you select.

This article discusses Medicare’s monthly costs in depth. However, Medicare has other out-of-pocket costs to consider, such as annual deductibles, coinsurance, and copayments.

Medicare Part A is hospital insurance. It covers services related to inpatient hospital stays or stays in a skilled nursing facility.

If you’ve paid Medicare taxes while working for 10 years or more, you don’t need to pay a premium for Part A. Also, if you qualify for Medicare before turning 65 years old, you don’t need to pay the Part A premium.

However, if you don’t meet the requirements for premium-free Part A, you need to pay a monthly payment between $285 and $518. The exact amount depends on how many quarters you (or your spouse) have paid Medicare taxes for while working.

Other Part A costs

Part A has an annual deductible of $1,676. A deductible is the amount of spending you must reach before Medicare begins sharing the cost of your care.

Under Part A, Medicare covers the initial cost of your stay in a hospital or skilled nursing facility. After a set time, you have to contribute to the daily cost.

Medicare Part B covers outpatient medical services, including doctors’ visits, screening procedures, preventive care, and durable medical equipment.

In 2025, the monthly premium for Medicare Part B starts at $185. You may have a higher premium if you make more than $106,000 per year individually (or $212,000 if married and filing jointly). This is called an income-related monthly adjustment amount (IRMAA).

Other Part B costs

Other costs associated with Part B include a deductible and coinsurance. Part B has an annual deductible of $257.

After meeting the deductible amount, you must typically pay a 20% coinsurance on the Medicare-approved amount of any services you receive.

Medicare Advantage plans are an alternative to Original Medicare. These plans include the same coverage as parts A and B bundled with other benefits such as prescription drug coverage and dental, vision, and hearing care.

The monthly cost of a Medicare Advantage plan can vary based on the plan itself. For example, in 2025, 60% of people enrolled in Medicare Advantage plans have had a $0 premium. And the average monthly premium is $17.00.

If you have a Medicare Advantage plan, you also need to pay the Part B premium.

If you’re an Original Medicare enrollee, you can sign up for a stand-alone Part D plan to cover prescription drug costs. People with Medicare Advantage typically have Part D bundled in their coverage.

Private insurance companies offer Part D plans. The costs of these plans vary based on the insurer, plan details, and location.

Most plans have a monthly premium. According to the nonprofit health policy group KFF, the average monthly payment for Part D plans across the United States is $42.51.

Further, your monthly costs under Part D depend on what medications you take.

Other Part D costs

If your Part D plan has a deductible, it may not be higher than $590. After meeting your deductible, you need to pay a copayment until your spending hits $2,000. After you reach this limit, Medicare can cover the rest of your costs for the calendar year.

Medigap plans, also called Medicare supplement insurance, help cover the costs of Original Medicare, such as Part A and Part B coinsurance payments and deductibles. They don’t offer any additional coverage.

Private insurers offer Medigap policies. The plans have varying monthly premiums.

The amount you pay each month for Medicare can vary based on individual factors such as your coverage, income, and medical needs.

While Original Medicare has set costs, Medicare Advantage, Part D, and Medigap plans have variable costs.

For the most accurate information, speak with a Medicare representative.

Remember that monthly premiums are just one cost factor when planning for Medicare. You also need to consider:

  • deductibles
  • copayments
  • coinsurance