Medicare Part A (hospital insurance) is premium-free for most enrollees. If you or your spouse worked at least 10 years in a job where you paid Medicare taxes, you’re eligible for free Medicare Part A when you turn 65. Almost all Medicare beneficiaries — 99% — receive Medicare Part A without having to pay a premium.

Some Medigap plans pay the Part B deductible. For people who become eligible for Medicare on or after January 1, 2020, Medigap plans that cover the Part B deductible are no longer available, but people who became eligible for Medicare before that date can continue to have coverage under Medigap Plans C or F, both of which cover the Part B deductible5 (these beneficiaries can keep those plans if they already have them, or they can apply for coverage under them if they want to change their plan, keeping in mind that medical underwriting is used in most states if you’re applying for a Medigap plan after your initial enrollment period ends).

(As noted above, Medicare Advantage plans can have different plan designs in terms of cost-sharing, so the out-of-pocket costs that an enrollee will pay for outpatient care will be different if they’re enrolled in a Medicare Advantage plan.)
Most Medicare beneficiaries also have private Medicare Part D coverage for prescription drugs, either as a stand-alone plan or as part of a Medicare Advantage plan. Employer-sponsored coverage for current employees or retirees can also provide supplemental drug coverage for Medicare beneficiaries.

If you purchase supplemental drug coverage and Medigap, the premiums for those two policies will be in addition to the Part B premiums (and if applicable, the Part A premiums).

Medicare Part D costs vary based on your specific plan and location. In 2026, stand-alone drug plans average about $34.50 per month, though $0-premium options exist. You may also face annual deductibles (up to $615), copays or coinsurance for medications, and extra surcharges if you are a high earner.

Part D costs are made up of four main components:

• Monthly Premium: The average premium is $34.50 for stand-alone prescription drug plans and Medicare Advantage plans that bundle drug coverage typically are $0 premium.
• Annual Deductible: Plans can set deductibles up to a maximum of $615 Many plans have lower deductibles or even $0 deductibles.
• Copayments and Coinsurance: You pay a portion of your drug costs when you fill a prescription. Part D features a $2,100 maximum out-of-pocket cap. Once you reach this cap for covered drugs, the plan pays 100% for the rest of the year.
• Income-Related Monthly Adjustment Amount (IRMAA): If your taxable income is above a certain limit (e.g., above $109,000 for single filers or $218,000 (for married couples filing jointly), you will pay a higher monthly premium.

Original Medicare won’t pay for routine vision services like eye exams, prescription glasses, or contact lenses.2 But there’s an exception to this if you’ve just had cataract surgery. In that case, Medicare Part B will cover some of the cost of a single pair of glasses or set of contact lenses3 (see below for more about how Medicare covers cataracts). And if you have a medical condition (i.e., not just a need for corrective lenses) that requires custom eyeglasses or contact lenses, Medicare might pick up the tab.

On the other hand, most Medicare Advantage plans tend to cover standard vision testing, as well as glasses or contacts. If you’re going to stick to Original Medicare but want coverage for routine vision services, Medicare supplement insurance (Medigap) won’t solve that problem, since Medigap plans won’t pay for vision care or eyeglass benefits, either. But if you have maintained supplemental coverage from a current or former employer, that coverage might include vision benefits. So be sure you understand any benefits you might have before you pay full price for eye exams and corrective lenses.

Working with a Medicare broker is completely free to you and removes the stress of navigating the confusing Medicare system alone. Brokers represent multiple insurance carriers, allowing them to objectively shop for plans tailored to your specific doctors, prescriptions, and budget.

The top benefits of using a broker include:

• Unbiased Comparison: Unlike corporate agents who only sell their own company’s products, brokers are licensed with multiple carriers. They help you compare Medicare Advantage, Medigap (Supplement), and Part D plans side-by-side.
• Cost Savings: Brokers are compensated directly by insurance companies. By law, they cannot charge you a fee, and their commission is never added to your premium.
• Avoid Costly Errors: Brokers ensure your preferred doctors are in-network and your medications are covered at the lowest tier, preventing surprise out-of-pocket costs.
• Deadline Tracking: They keep you on track with crucial dates (like your Initial Enrollment Period or Annual Enrollment Period), preventing lifelong late-enrollment penalties.
• Ongoing Support: A good broker will be your point of contact for claims, appeals, and annual plan reviews long after you enroll, watching for unexpected rate hikes.

To verify a broker’s credentials or learn more about the rules governing them, ask for the broker’s NPN# and License# from their residential state.