What's in this guide
One of the first questions people ask me is the simplest one: "What is this actually going to cost me?" It's a fair question, and the honest answer is that Medicare has a few moving parts. The good news is the core numbers are set by the federal government and are the same whether you live in Sarasota, Tampa, or anywhere else in Florida. Let me walk you through them in plain English.
A quick note before the numbers: the amounts below are the official standard 2026 figures. Standard Part A and Part B amounts are set federally, although what you actually spend depends on the services you use, whether providers accept assignment, income-related adjustments, and any other coverage. Medicare Advantage, Part D, and Medigap premiums and costs vary by plan and location. Medigap pricing may also reflect age, tobacco status, household discounts, and other rating factors permitted in Florida.
Part A — hospital coverage
For most people, Part A is premium-free. If you or your spouse worked and paid Medicare taxes for at least 10 years (40 quarters), you don't pay a monthly premium for Part A at all.
Where Part A has a cost is if you're admitted to the hospital. In 2026, the Part A inpatient hospital deductible is $1,736 per benefit period. One thing that surprises people: that's not a once-a-year deductible like you might be used to. A "benefit period" starts the day you're admitted and ends after you've been out of the hospital (or skilled nursing) for 60 days straight — so in theory it can apply more than once in a year.
Part B — doctors and outpatient care
Part B covers doctor visits, outpatient care, lab work, and the like. It has two regular costs:
- Monthly premium: the standard 2026 amount is $202.90 per month. Most people have this deducted right from their Social Security check.
- Annual deductible: $283 in 2026. After you meet it, Part B generally pays 80% of approved costs and you're responsible for the other 20% — and importantly, Original Medicare has no cap on that 20%. (That's the gap a lot of people choose to cover with an Advantage or Supplement plan.)
Higher earners pay more for Part B. If your income is above a certain level, you pay an income-related surcharge called IRMAA on top of the standard premium. For 2026, those surcharges kick in above $109,000 for an individual (or $218,000 for a couple filing jointly), and the total Part B premium can climb to $689.90 per month at the highest income tier. The income they look at is from your tax return two years prior.
Part D — prescription drug coverage
Part D helps with prescriptions, and it's where 2026 brings real good news.
- Premium: varies by the drug plan you choose; there's no single national number.
- Deductible: plans can set their own, up to a 2026 maximum of $615.
- The out-of-pocket cap: in 2026, annual out-of-pocket spending for covered Part D drugs is capped at $2,100. Once you reach it, you pay $0 for covered Part D drugs for the rest of the calendar year. Plan premiums and spending on drugs the plan does not cover do not count toward the cap.
As with Part B, higher earners pay a small income-related surcharge on Part D — roughly $14.50 to $91 a month in 2026, on top of the plan's own premium.
A simple snapshot for 2026
| Piece of Medicare | What it covers | 2026 cost |
|---|---|---|
| Part A | Hospital | $0 premium for most; $1,736 deductible per benefit period |
| Part B | Doctors / outpatient | $202.90/mo standard premium; $283 annual deductible; then you pay 20% |
| Part D | Prescriptions | Varies by plan; up to $615 deductible; $2,100 out-of-pocket cap |
| IRMAA (higher incomes) | Surcharge on B & D | Starts above $109,000 single / $218,000 joint |
Original Medicare has no annual out-of-pocket maximum for Part A and Part B services. Many Floridians therefore compare Medicare Advantage with Original Medicare plus Medigap to decide how they want to manage deductibles, coinsurance, premiums, networks, and other plan rules.
So what's the "real" number?
Many people compare two approaches: a Medicare Advantage plan, or Original Medicare with a Medicare Supplement (Medigap) policy and a standalone Part D plan. Compare the full picture, including premiums, deductibles, copays or coinsurance, provider access, prescriptions, travel, prior authorization, and maximum out-of-pocket limits where applicable. A licensed broker can help compare the companies and products the broker is appointed to offer. You generally do not pay a separate fee for that help; brokers may be paid by insurance companies when an enrollment occurs.
Want to put real numbers to your options?
I'm an independent broker, so I'm not pointing you toward any one company — we start with your situation and work outward. Grab the guide, or book a quick call and we'll look at it together.
Prefer to just talk? Call or text me at (941) 228-0476
Quick questions, quick answers
The standard Part B premium for 2026 is $202.90 per month, with an annual deductible of $283. Most people have the premium deducted directly from their Social Security check. Higher earners pay an income-related surcharge (IRMAA) on top of the standard amount.
For most people, yes. If you or your spouse worked and paid Medicare taxes for at least 10 years (40 quarters), you pay no monthly premium for Part A. Part A still has a hospital deductible of $1,736 per benefit period in 2026 if you're admitted.
In 2026, annual out-of-pocket spending for covered Part D drugs is capped at $2,100. Once you reach that amount, you pay $0 for covered Part D drugs for the rest of the calendar year. Plan premiums and spending on drugs not covered by the plan do not count toward the cap.
For 2026, the income-related surcharge known as IRMAA begins above $109,000 for an individual or $218,000 for a couple filing jointly. At the highest income tier, the total Part B premium can reach $689.90 per month. Medicare looks at your tax return from two years prior.
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