Updated October 1, 2026. Quick answer: Most people pay no Medicare Part A premium. For 2026 the premium is $311 a month for people with 30 to 39 quarters of Medicare-covered work, and $565 a month for those with fewer than 30 quarters who buy in. CMS published the amounts, up $26 and $47 from 2025.
2026 Part A premiums
| Work history | Monthly premium, 2026 |
|---|---|
| 40 or more quarters of Medicare-covered work | $0 |
| 30 to 39 quarters | $311 |
| Fewer than 30 quarters | $565 |
| 30 to 39 quarters, with the 10% late-enrollment surcharge | $342.10 |
| Fewer than 30 quarters, with the 10% surcharge | $621.50 |
The CMS fact sheet says “Individuals who had at least 30 quarters of coverage, or were married to someone with at least 30 quarters of coverage, may buy into Part A at a reduced monthly premium rate, which will be $311 in 2026, a $26 increase from 2025.” It adds that people with fewer than 30 quarters “will pay the full premium, which will be $565 a month in 2026, a $47 increase from 2025.”
Who pays nothing
CMS says “Approximately 99% of Medicare beneficiaries do not have a Part A premium since they have at least 40 quarters of Medicare-covered employment”. Medicare.gov says the premium is “$0 for most people” and that if you do not qualify you “might be able to buy it”.
The surcharge figures
The CMS notice MM14279 lists “Part A base premium (BP): $565 a month”, “Part A BP with 10% surcharge: $621.50 a month” and “Part A BP with 45% reduction and 10% surcharge: $342.10 a month”. The notice describes the surcharge as “A 10% penalty for twice the number of years they could enroll in Part A but didn’t”.
Common mistakes
- Assuming everyone pays a Part A premium. About 99% of beneficiaries do not.
- Confusing the premium with the Part A deductible ($1,736 in 2026), which is paid on a hospital stay.
- Forgetting the late-enrollment surcharge on the buy-in premium.
Related: the 2027 Part A deductible page, the Part B premium page, the Medicare and IRMAA guides, the 2026 retirement numbers hub, and the 2026 Part B premium.
Sources
- CMS, 2026 Medicare Parts A and B Premiums and Deductibles (fact sheet, Nov. 14, 2025): https://www.cms.gov/newsroom/fact-sheets/2026-medicare-parts-b-premiums-deductibles
- CMS MLN Matters MM14279, Medicare Deductible, Coinsurance and Premium Rates: CY 2026 Update: https://www.cms.gov/files/document/mm14279-medicare-deductible-coinsurance-premium-rates-cy-2026-update.pdf
- Medicare.gov, What does Medicare cost?: https://www.medicare.gov/basics/costs/medicare-costs
Sources: the primary documents linked above, read on October 1, 2026. General information, not tax advice. Your own facts decide the outcome, and a preparer, the plan administrator or the agency itself is the right place to confirm anything consequential.