2026 Medicare Deductibles & Copays
Beyond the monthly premium, Original Medicare charges deductibles and coinsurance when you actually use care. Here is every 2026 figure for Part A and Part B in one place.
2026 cost-sharing at a glance
| Cost | 2026 amount |
|---|---|
| Part A hospital deductible | $1,736 per benefit period |
| Part A coinsurance, days 61–90 | $434 per day |
| Part A lifetime reserve days (91+) | $868 per day |
| Skilled nursing facility, days 21–100 | $217 per day |
| Part B deductible | $283 per year |
| Part B coinsurance | 20% (no annual cap) |
Part A: hospital and skilled nursing costs
For an inpatient hospital stay you pay the $1,736deductible per benefit period, which covers your share of the first 60 days. Days 61–90 cost $434 per day, and beyond that you tap lifetime reserve days at $868 per day. After a qualifying hospital stay, skilled nursing facility care is free for the first 20 days, then $217 per dayfor days 21–100.
What “benefit period” means
Part A costs are measured in benefit periods, not calendar years. A benefit period starts the day you are admitted as an inpatient and ends only after you have been out of a hospital or skilled nursing facility for 60 consecutive days. There is no annual limit on benefit periods, so if you are readmitted after a gap of more than 60 days, the Part A deductible applies again.
Part B: the medical deductible and coinsurance
Part B has a $283 annual deductible. Once met, you generally pay 20% coinsurance for doctor visits, outpatient care, and supplies — with no annual cap under Original Medicare. That is the gap a Medigap policy is designed to fill; see our out-of-pocket maximum guide.
Lowering these costs
A Medigap plan, Medicare Advantage, and smart Part D choices all change how much of this cost-sharing you actually pay. Start at the Medicare costs hub, review the Part B premium page, and see how to lower your costs.
Source: CMS, 2026 Medicare Parts A & B Premiums and Deductibles (November 2025).
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the 2026 Part A hospital deductible?
The 2026 Part A inpatient deductible is $1,736 per benefit period. It covers your share of the first 60 days of a hospital stay before daily coinsurance begins.
What is a benefit period?
A benefit period begins the day you are admitted as an inpatient and ends after you have been out of the hospital or a skilled nursing facility for 60 days in a row. There is no limit on how many benefit periods you can have in a year, so the Part A deductible can apply more than once.
How much is the 2026 Part B deductible?
The 2026 Part B deductible is $283 per year. After you meet it, you generally pay 20% coinsurance for covered services, with no annual cap under Original Medicare.
Do Medicare deductibles reset each year?
The Part B deductible resets every calendar year. The Part A deductible is charged per benefit period rather than per year, so a new hospital stay after a 60-day break triggers it again.
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Get My Free ReviewThis information is for educational purposes only and is not legal, tax, or insurance advice. Medicare rules, premiums, and income thresholds change annually — confirm current figures with Medicare.gov, the Social Security Administration, or a licensed advisor. HealthPlan Connect is not affiliated with or endorsed by the federal Medicare program or any government agency. Last reviewed 2026-06-11 by Lynsey Brennan, Licensed Medicare Advisor (FL #G007269).