Medicare glossary
Premium
A premium is the fixed amount you pay each month to keep an insurance plan, whether or not you use any care. In Medicare, you may pay premiums for Part B, Part D, a Medicare Advantage plan, and a Medicare Supplement.
Most people pay no premium for Part A but do pay the Part B premium ($202.90 a month in 2026, more for higher earners). Part D and Medicare Supplement plans add their own premiums, while many Medicare Advantage plans have a low or $0 premium on top of Part B. A premium is separate from what you pay when you actually use care.
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