Medicare Premium and Deductible Costs in 2020

Costs based on Medicare.gov. Data Effective 11/11/19.

Each part of Medicare has its own premiums and deductibles. Private companies offer Medicare Advantage, Part D prescription drug coverage, and Medicare supplement plans, so costs could vary by area, program and insurer as well. If you add any of these private plans, you must still pay any Part A and Part B premiums, if applicable.

Medicare premiums and deductibles may change annually. Bookmark this page and check back here each year in October for the following year’s rates. Or call the number below to receive the latest prices tailored specifically to your situation.

Part A covers you when you’re in the hospital, a skilled nursing facility, and in a few other situations.

Most people receive premium-free Part A because rates are based on how long you’ve worked and paid Medicare taxes. If you’ve paid into Medicare payroll taxes for a total of 10 years (40 quarters), you probably won’t have to pay any Part A premiums. If you don’t hit the 40-quarter mark, you’ll have to buy Part A benefits.

Costs based on Medicare.gov. Data Effective 11/11/19.

The Part A deductible works differently than other types of coverage. Instead of resetting annually, this deductible resets after each benefit period—typically at the start of a new stay in the hospital.

Learn more about Part A premiums and deductibles.

Part B covers most of your regular health care costs, such as doctor visits, lab work, and durable medical equipment.

All beneficiaries pay the same deductible for Part B, but how much you pay Medicare will depend on your income. Most people pay the standard premium ($144.60 in 2020) for Part B, but if you make more than $87,000 (or $174,000, if you’re married) annually, you may pay more for Part B coverage.¹

Data based on Medicare.gov. Data Effective 11/11/19.

If you’re married, your income will affect your Part B premiums differently—whether you file your tax returns jointly or separately.

Read our page on Part B premiums and deductibles to find out how much.

Medicare Advantage (Part C) includes Part A and Part B, as well as additional benefits that differ from plan to plan. Medicare Advantage premiums and deductibles also vary by plan, insurer, and area.

At a minimum, Medicare Advantage plans cover everything Part A and Part B do. Many plans include additional benefits such as dental work, vision care, hearing aids, and prescription drug coverage.Of course, any premium you pay for a Medicare Advantage plan would be in addition to your Part A and Part B premiums.

The average Medicare Advantage premium in 2020 is $23, but some Medicare Advantage plans have $0 premiums.² And if you live in a particularly competitive area (typically a large city that’s home to lots of Medicare beneficiaries), you might find a plan that gives you a rebate on your Part B premiums.

Interested in Medicare Advantage? Learn more about how it’s different from Original Medicare insurance with our Ultimate Medicare Guide.

Part D is Medicare Prescription Drug Coverage. Like Medicare Advantage, Part D plans are provided by private insurers. That means premiums and deductible will vary by plan and area. The average Part D plan premium is $30 in 2020.³

Part D is like Part B in that the base premium has income limits. Your total monthly premium may be higher if you make more than $87,000 (or $174,000 if you’re married) per year.⁴ High-income Medicare recipients will pay the monthly premium for their plan as well as an additional $12 to $77, depending on their income.⁵

Learn more about Part D premiums and deductibles.

Medicare Supplement (Medigap) plans help you pay costs associated with Medicare Parts A and B—including paying the deductibles for Part A and Part B (in some plans). Medicare Supplement plans themselves have no deductible.

You’ll still pay a premium, however. How much you’ll pay depends on the plan you enroll in, where you live, and which insurance company you choose. Unlike other parts of Medicare, your Medicare Supplement premium may also depend on your health—but only if you apply outside your one-time Medicare Supplement enrollment period.

Learn more about Medicare Supplement plans and what they are likely to cost you.

What you pay for Medicare could change depending on when you enroll. That’s due to the Medicare program’s rules regarding late enrollment.

In a nutshell, if you don’t enroll in Medicare Part A, B, or D as soon as you’re eligible to, you could rack up Late Enrollment Penalties (LEPs). For some parts of Medicare, you’ll have to pay incurred LEPs as long as you want coverage. For other parts, you may pay penalties for only a few months or years.

The best way to avoid LEPs altogether is to enroll in Medicare at the right time—usually during your Initial Enrollment Period.

Check out our How to Apply for Medicare Guide to learn when to sign up.

While Medicare benefits come with costs, you're not entirely on your own. If you're worried about the dent health care could put in your savings, consider applying for one of these aid programs:

• Medicaid is a state-run program that helps cover health care costs for people with low incomes.
• Extra Help is a federally funded program that helps pay Part D prescription drug costs.

Whether you qualify for aid or not, call the number below. A licensed sales agent can search multiple plans in your area to find the ones that can best cover your expenses. You could find a better deal than you’re getting now.