Medicare 2026 Premiums Surge, Leaving Seniors With Higher Costs
Medicare premiums are set to rise nearly 10% in 2026, marking one of the most significant increases in the program's history. The standard monthly premium for Part B will climb to $202.90, up $17.90 from the current year. This hike will consume nearly a third of the $56 monthly Social Security cost-of-living adjustment retirees are slated to receive.
The surge represents the second-largest dollar increase ever and the steepest in four years. With roughly 69 million Americans enrolled in Medicare, the financial strain on seniors is mounting. Healthcare costs are spiraling, compounded by Medicare Advantage plan reductions as major insurers pull back offerings nationwide.
Last year, Medicare spent over $10 billion on skin substitute wound care products—a staggering jump from $256 million in 2019. The Part B deductible is also rising, further squeezing retirees already grappling with inflation across essential expenses.
