When Is Medicare Free? How much does Medicare cost?
Original Medicare (Parts A and B) costs $185 per month in 2025 for most people.
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Original Medicare is made up of two parts: A and B. Medicare Part A (pays for hospital stays) is usually free, but almost everyone has to pay $185 per month for Medicare Part B (pays for medical care).
If you have a Part D, Medicare Advantage or Medicare Supplement plan, you'll have an extra monthly cost on top of paying for Part B. The total cost for all your Medicare will typically be between $185 and $409 per month depending on the coverage you choose.
How much does Medicare cost?
Medicare costs between $185 and $409 per month, depending on the options you choose.
What you pay depends on what parts of Medicare you have. The main coverage from Medicare comes from Parts A and B. These come from the federal government. Most people don't pay for Part A. The monthly fee for Part B is set each fall by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS).
- Cost for Part A: Usually free. About 99% of people get Medicare Part A for free. Part A covers hospital care if you are 65 or older. You get free Part A if you or your spouse worked for at least 10 years (40 quarters). That's because you paid Medicare taxes during your working years. If you have a disability, you can get free Medicare Part A without meeting the work requirements.
- Cost for Part B: $185 per month. Most people pay this standard fee, which covers medical care outside of hospitals. This includes doctor appointments, lab tests and diagnostics.
You can add other types of Medicare coverage to Parts A and B. For example, you can add Part D to cover prescription drugs or a Medicare Supplement policy to get extra coverage for medical bills. That's why your total Medicare costs depend on the extra coverage you buy.
The cheapest option is usually to pay for Medicare Part B and enroll in a $0 Medicare Advantage bundle with drug coverage.
But if you need frequent medical care, getting the cheapest combination of plans is not usually a good idea. It can be worth it to pay for Part B and then add on Medicare Supplement and Part D drug coverage. Your monthly bills might be higher, but you could save enough on medical costs to come out ahead.
Type of Medicare coverage | What affects prices | Typical monthly cost |
|---|---|---|
| Part A (hospital care) | 99% of enrollees get coverage for free | $0 |
| Part B (medical care) | Rate set annually by the government | $185 |
| Part C (Advantage bundle) | The plan you choose | $28 |
| Part D (prescriptions) | The plan you choose | $65 |
| Medicare Supplement Plan G | Your age, gender and the company you choose | $159 |
Medicare Advantage (Part C), Part D and Medicare Supplement plans come from private insurance companies. The costs for these plans vary based on where you live and what company you choose.
For example, a Medicare Advantage plan with prescription drug coverage costs an average of $28 per month. But in most places, there's at least one plan available that has no monthly rate.
The cost for Medicare Supplement plans, also called Medigap plans, varies based on the plan you choose, whether or not you signed up when you were first able to and if your state allows age to be used when setting prices.
Because of the cost changes, it can be helpful to compare plan options when you initially sign up for Medicare and to review your choices every year. This helps you get the best deal based on your available plan options and current medical needs.
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Is Medicare Part A free?
Most people qualify for free Medicare Part A because they paid Medicare taxes while they were working.
If you are 65 or older, you have to meet the work requirement to get free Part A. But if you qualify for Medicare because of a disability, you are automatically eligible for free Part A.
Type of Medicare enrollee | Work requirement for free Medicare Part A |
|---|---|
| Seniors | You or a spouse having worked at least 10 years |
| Those who have a disability | No work requirement |
The small percentage of enrollees who do not meet the work criteria pay between $285 and $518 per month for Medicare Part A.
Is Medicare Part B free?
Medicare Part B is only free if you have a low income and are enrolled in one of the Medicare Savings Programs for financial help.
In some states, you can qualify even if you earn a higher income or have a large amount of money saved or invested.
In 2024, you'll typically be eligible for a Medicare Savings Program if you earn less than $20,580 per year as an individual or less than $27,840 per year as a married couple. Some states will automatically enroll you if you are eligible. Check with your state's Medicaid office to see if you're eligible for one of the three Medicare Savings Programs that reduce the cost of Medicare Part B.
Medicare Savings Program | Typical income limit (indiv.) |
Typical asset limit (indiv.)
|
|---|---|---|
| Qualified Medicare Beneficiary (QMB) | $15,300 per year | $9,430 |
| Specified Low-Income Medicare Beneficiary (SLMB) | $18,312 per year | $9,430 |
| Qualifying Individual (QI) | $20,580 per year | $9,430 |
The Qualified Medicare Beneficiary (QMB) program can pay for the monthly plan costs as well as medical costs including your deductible, coinsurance and copays. The Specified Low-Income Medicare Beneficiary (SLMB) and Qualifying Individual (QI) programs will only help pay the monthly cost of Part B, but you still need to have Part A to qualify.
You can also save by being dual enrolled in Medicare and Medicaid. In many states, you'll qualify for Medicaid if you earn less than $20,783. Being in both programs can reduce or eliminate your health care costs. And you can still enroll in a Medicare Savings Program to reduce your monthly cost for Medicare Part B, as long as you also have Part A.
Can you get free Medicare Advantage (Part C)?
Yes, three in four people with Medicare Advantage have a free plan.
Some Medicare Advantage plans don't have a monthly rate, although you still have to pay for Part B. These plans typically include coverage for hospital stays, medical care, prescription drugs and other extra benefits like dental, vision and fitness programs.
With some free Medicare Advantage plans, you may pay more when you need medical care. But if you don't go to the doctor often, you could save money overall. And there are high-quality plans that have no monthly rate or a low monthly rate. You don't have to sacrifice good customer service.
Cheap Medicare Advantage plans aren't available everywhere. Unfortunately, there isn't any way to get a free plan unless one is offered in your area.
Is Medicare Part D free?
Most people can't get free Medicare Part D plans.
In most states and counties, you will pay a monthly rate for Medicare Part D. The national average cost for Part D is $65 per month, but most people can get a cheaper plan. Free Medicare Part D plans are offered in some areas, but they aren't common.
It's possible to get $0 prescription drug coverage if you qualify for help from the government, called Extra Help, by making less than $22,590 as an individual and you have no more than $17,220 in other resources, such as money in a bank account, stocks and bonds.
Eligibility for Extra Help | Annual income limit | Resources limit (cash, stocks or bonds) |
|---|---|---|
| Individual | $22,590 | $17,220 |
| Married couple | $30,660 | $34,360 |
With the Extra Help program, those who have low incomes can qualify for full or partial benefits. The program can reduce the cost of your plan and what you pay for medications. With full benefits, you'll pay no more than $4.90 for each generic prescription drug and $12.15 for each brand-name drug that's covered.
You may also be able to get free prescription drug benefits by choosing a Medicare Advantage bundle instead of a stand-alone Medicare Part D plan. However, this option is only possible if $0 plans are offered in your area. And choosing a bundle plan will also affect your health care benefits.
Can you get free Medicare Supplement (Medigap) plans?
No, Medigap plans always have a cost.
The average person pays $159 per month for a Medigap Plan G policy. Monthly Medigap rates are expensive because they help pay for so many of your medical costs. In some cases, a Medigap plan and Original Medicare can pay for almost all of your medical bills.
Despite the monthly cost, Medicare Supplement plans are a good choice if you have complex or expensive medical needs. That's because you'll save more money when you go to the doctor than you'll pay each month. With a Medigap plan, you can go to any doctor that accepts Medicare, rather than having a limited network of doctors and hospitals with a Medicare Advantage plan.
If you have a low income and qualify for Medicaid, you probably don't need a Medicare Supplement plan. Your Medicaid benefits will pay for the extra costs from Medicare, helping you reduce or eliminate your medical bills, although there may be some exceptions.
If you don't qualify for Medicaid, there are three ways to reduce the cost of a Medigap plan.
- Choose a plan with less coverage like Plan K, which costs an average of $83 per month. Just remember that the cheaper options usually don't have as much coverage.
- Choose a high-deductible plan. With these plans, coverage won't start until you pay the $2,870 deductible each year. That means you probably won't have the extra coverage when getting routine care, but you will get help from the plan if you need an expensive treatment.
- Choose a Select plan that limits your Medigap benefits to in-network doctors rather than covering any doctor who accepts Medicare.
If you have a high income, your costs for Medicare will be higher
You'll pay more for Part B and Part D in 2025 if the income on your 2023 tax return is above $106,000 as an individual or above $212,000 if you file as a married couple. You'll use your total income minus some deductions and tax penalties, which is called your modified adjusted gross income (MAGI).
The higher cost is based on your income taxes from two years ago and is called the income-related monthly adjustment amount (IRMAA).
Type of Medicare | Cost for high-income earners |
|---|---|
| Part B (medical care) | $591.90 to $628.90 per month |
| Part D (prescription drugs) | An extra $13.70 to $85.80 per month on top of your plan cost |
Why do you have to pay for Medicare?
You have to pay for some costs with Medicare because your taxes don't cover the full cost of coverage.
The payroll taxes you paid when working only pay for a third of the cost of the Medicare program. The monthly cost that enrollees pay for Medicare totals 15% of the program's budget.
This means that the benefits you get from the Medicare program are worth much more than what you pay each month.
How to save on Medicare costs
You can take certain steps to lower the amount you pay for Medicare each month.
- Make sure you're getting all of the discounts you're eligible for
- Sign up when you're first eligible to avoid late-enrollment penalties
- Look for Medicare Advantage plans with rewards programs for healthy activities
- Look for Medicare Advantage plans with a Part B giveback program to reduce how much you pay for Part B
- Work with a financial advisor to limit the high-income Medicare surcharge
An estimated 30% to 45% of people eligible for low-income discount programs are not enrolled, showing how important it is to check your eligibility for each savings program.
Frequently asked questions
Is Medicare free at age 65?
No, most seniors pay between $185 and $371 per month depending on what kinds of Medicare coverage they buy. However, seniors who have a low income can qualify for free or reduced-cost Medicare.
Is Medicare Part A free for everyone??
Medicare Part A is free if you've paid Medicare taxes for at least 10 years (40 quarters). That means 99% of people with Medicare do not pay a Part A monthly rate.
If you haven't paid Medicare taxes for at least 10 years, you can get Medicare Part A coverage for $285 to $518 per month depending on how long you've paid Medicare taxes.
Do you have to pay for Medicare?
Yes, most people pay $185 per month for Medicare Part B and may pay more if they choose extra coverage options. Part A is free if you worked for 10 years or more.
What is the Medicare deductible for 2025?
In 2025, Medicare Part B (doctor visits) has a $257 per year deductible and Part A (hospital stays) has a $1,676 deductible that resets 60 days after you leave the hospital. You may have to pay a separate deductible if you have prescription drug coverage through a Part D or Medicare Advantage plan.
Can I get Medicare Part B for free?
If you have a low income, you can qualify for free Medicare Part B benefits. Eligibility for a Medicare Savings Program varies by state, with a typical individual qualifying with an annual income of less than $20,580.
Methodology and sources
Medicare Advantage rates for 2025 are from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) public use files. Rates include only plans with prescription drug coverage. Medicare-Medicaid plans, Medicare savings account (MSA) plans, employer-sponsored plans, special needs plans (SNPs), sanctioned plans, Program of All-inclusive Care for the Elderly (PACE) plans and prepayment plans (HCPPs) were excluded from our analysis.
Part D rates are also from the 2025 CMS public use files. Rates exclude sanctioned and employer-sponsored plans.
Medicare Supplement rates are based on 2025 data for private insurance companies. Average costs are for a 65-year-old nonsmoking woman who does not have a household discount and signed up for a plan when she was first eligible and didn't have to answer health questions. States that have their own Medigap system and Select plans are excluded from average rates.
Other sources include:
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