How Much Does Medicare Really Cost Each Month in 2025?

The Standard Medicare Costs (Parts A & B)

Let’s start with the basics: Original Medicare has two parts—Part A and Part B.

Part A – Hospital Coverage

• $0/month for most people (if you or your spouse worked at least 10 years and paid Medicare taxes)
• Up to $505/month if you don’t qualify for free Part A

Part B – Medical Coverage

• $202.90/month in (2026) (standard premium)
• Could be higher if your income is above a certain level (see IRMAA brackets)
• Could be lower if you’re on Medicaid or financial assistance

Option 1: Medicare Supplement (Medigap) Plans

If you stick with Original Medicare (Parts A & B), you can add a Medicare Supplement plan, often called Medigap, to cover the out-of-pocket costs that Medicare doesn’t.

Here’s what that can look like:

Plan G

• $100–$200/month, depending on your age, zip code, and gender
• Covers everything except the $283 Part B deductible
• No copays, no coinsurance, no surprises

Plan N

• $80–$150/month
• Same $283 deductible
• Up to $20 copay for doctor visits and $50 for ER (if not admitted)
• Does not cover Part B excess charges (rare)

High Deductible Plan G

• $40–$60/month
• $2,950 annual deductible
• After deductible is met, works just like standard Plan G

Drug Plan (Part D)

• $0–$100/month, depending on your prescriptions
• Most people with generic meds pay $0–$30/month

Dental, Vision & Hearing Plan (DVH)

• Add-on coverage for $20–$40/month

Example Monthly Cost (Plan G Setup)

Item	Estimated Monthly Cost
Part A	$0
Part B	$202.90
Plan G	$120
Part D Drug Plan	$20
Dental/Vision/Hearing Plan	$30
Total	~$355/month

And that gives you near-total coverage with no networks, no referrals, and nationwide access to any doctor who takes Medicare.

Option 2: Medicare Advantage (Part C)

Medicare Advantage plans are private insurance alternatives to Original Medicare. They become your primary coverage and often include Part D and extra benefits like dental and vision.

Monthly Costs:

• You still pay the $202.90/month Part B premium
• Most plans have $0–$50/month premiums
• Prescription, dental, vision included in most plans

But here’s the catch:

• You must use doctors in the plan’s network
• You’ll face copays for almost every service (doctor, ER, labs, etc.)
• You may need referrals (especially with HMO plans)
• Annual out-of-pocket max: up to $8,000

Medicare Advantage works great for some people—but if you need a lot of care, those out-of-pocket costs can add up quickly.

Option 3: Still Working with Employer Coverage

If you’re still working (or covered under a working spouse’s plan) and the employer has 20+ employees, you can usually delay Medicare Part B and avoid the $202.90/month premium.

You can enroll in Medicare later without penalty when you retire, as long as your coverage is considered creditable.

Final Thoughts: What’s the Right Medicare Setup for You?

It depends on:

• Your health (how often you see doctors)
• Your budget (monthly premiums vs. out-of-pocket risk)
• Your travel plans (Advantage plans don’t travel well)
• Your doctor preferences (network or no network?)

If you want:

• Nationwide access
• Low out-of-pocket costs
• No referrals

A Medigap plan like Plan G or Plan N may be your best fit.

If you want:

• Lower monthly premiums
• Extra dental and vision
• Okay with copays and networks

A Medicare Advantage plan might work for you.

Need Help Choosing?

We help people all over the country compare plans and figure out what’s best based on their health, lifestyle, and budget. If you want help:

Call us at 800-208-4974 book an appointment using the link in the description