Key Takeaways
- Medicare Advantage (Part C) costs are influenced by the plan you select, your healthcare needs, and whether you qualify for financial assistance programs.
- Your income can affect how much you pay for a Medicare Advantage plan, and programs like Medicare Savings Programs (MSPs) can help lower costs for those with limited income and resources.
- Medicare Advantage plans can potentially reduce medical expenses compared to Original Medicare, with savings on physician costs, medical equipment, and lab tests, although network restrictions may apply.
Original Medicare (parts A and B) and Medicare Advantage (Part C) include the same core inpatient and outpatient benefits, but they may have different costs and Medicare Advantage plans may include added benefits.
Medicare Advantage might be a good option if you’re eligible for Original Medicare but want additional coverage for prescription drugs and other services.
Several factors determine Medicare Advantage costs, such as:
- premiums
- deductibles
- copayments
- coinsurance
These amounts can range from $0 to hundreds for monthly premiums and annual deductibles.
Most of your Medicare Advantage costs are determined by your chosen plan. However, your lifestyle and financial situation can also impact your costs.
According to data from the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS), the average monthly premium for Medicare Advantage plans is around $17 in 2026.
This is based solely on the publicly available data, which provides the average 2026 monthly Medicare Advantage plan premiums for 46 specific states and the District of Columbia.
Data for Alaska, American Samoa, Guam, the Northern Mariana Islands, and the U.S. Virgin Islands were included. However, it did not include information relating to the average 2026 monthly Medicare Advantage premiums in these areas.
The average monthly Medicare Advantage premium in a particular state reflects changes from the previous year. For example:
- Vermont saw the most significant decrease in the average monthly premium. The cost fell from $22.41 in 2025 to $0 in 2026.
- Florida’s average premium decreased from $4.09 in 2025 to $2.11 in 2026.
- New York’s premiums increased from $39.59 in 2025 to $40.49 in 2026.
- Idaho’s premiums increased from $18.32 in 2025 to $23.21 in 2026.
In the majority of listed states, 100% of people with Medicare have access to a Medicare Advantage plan, and nearly all also report that 100% of people with Medicare have access to a plan with a $0 monthly premium.
Even with a zero-premium Medicare Advantage plan, you will still pay the Part B premium, although some plans may offer a Part B give-back. This is when the Medicare Advantage plan carrier pays some or all of the Part B premium as an additional benefit.
Deductibles
Medicare Advantage plans may have deductibles relating to both the health plan and the drug plan (if the plan includes drug coverage). As with premiums, some plans may offer a deductible of $0.
If your plan has a deductible, you’ll need to pay this amount before your plan covers its share of costs. Once it does, your plan will typically cover a percentage of eligible expenses as copayments or coinsurance.
Managing Medicare Advantage costs
One of the first things you can do to manage your Medicare Advantage costs is to read through the following annual notices from your plan:
These notices can help you determine your exact out-of-pocket costs and any price changes that will take effect the following year.
While Original Medicare covers services nationwide, Medicare Advantage plans can be location-based. If you frequently travel within the U.S., consider plans with state-to-state coverage.
Other factors that can affect costs include:
- Plan type: Your plan can impact the cost of your Medicare Advantage plan. For example, if you have an HMO or PPO plan but choose to visit an out-of-network healthcare professional or facility, this can increase your costs.
- Spending limit: All Medicare Advantage plans have an out-of-pocket maximum. This amount varies, but in 2025, the average Medicare Advantage out-of-pocket, in-network maximum was $5,320. For combined in- and out-of-network services, the average was 9,547.
- Additional benefits: Many Medicare Advantage plans offer benefits beyond those included with Original Medicare. For example, in 2025, over 97% of Medicare Advantage plans included coverage for dental, hearing, and vision care. Additional costs may apply for specialized services, like dentures or specific contact lenses.
Income limits
Your yearly gross income can also factor into how much you’ll pay for your Medicare Advantage costs.
People with a limited income or resources may be eligible for programs that can help lower their Medicare costs. These are called Medicare Savings Programs (MSPs).
The federal government funds these programs, which are administered by Medicaid in each state. These programs are:
The table below outlines the income and resource requirements for these Medicare savings programs in 2025. The income and resource requirements may change in 2026.
| Individual monthly income limit | Married couple monthly income limit | Individual resource limit | Married couple resource limit | Helps you pay | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| QMB | $1,325 | $1,783 | $9,660 | $14,470 | • Part A premiums • Part B premiums • deductibles • copayments • coinsurance |
| SLMB | $1,585 | $2,135 | $9,660 | $14,470 | Part B premiums |
| QI | $1,781 | $2,400 | $9,660 | $14,470 | Part B premiums |
| QDWI | $5,302 | $7,135 | $4,000 | $6,000 | Part A premiums |
Medicare Advantage plans have different costs that are determined by many factors, including your location, plan type, and whether you receive additional financial assistance.
For an estimate of Medicare Advantage plan costs based on your individual circumstances, use Medicare’s plan finder tool and enter your ZIP code to compare available plans near you.
Is Medicare Advantage more expensive than Original Medicare?
While it may seem that Medicare Advantage plans cost more than Original Medicare, they may help reduce medical expenses by having in-network or preferred healthcare professionals and facilities.
Most companies offering Medicare Advantage plans have various payment options, including:
- online bill payment
- automatic withdrawal from your bank account
- automatic withdrawal from your Social Security or Railroad Retirement Board benefits check
- check or money order
Help paying for Medicare
If you’re having difficulty paying for your Medicare Advantage plan, there are resources that can help:
- Medicaid: This program helps people with low incomes pay for medical costs.
- Medicare Savings Program (MSP): This benefit helps Medicare beneficiaries with low incomes pay plan costs, such as premiums, copayments, and coinsurance.
- Supplemental Social Security: Some people may be eligible for Supplemental Social Security benefits, which are monthly payments to help pay for Medicare costs.
- PACE: This program can help you get coordinated care within your local community.
- Extra Help: If you meet certain income and resource limitations, you may qualify for this Medicare program, called Extra Help, to pay for prescription drug costs, premiums, deductibles, and more.
Medicare Advantage (Part C) may be a good coverage option for Medicare beneficiaries seeking additional coverage. Your Medicare Advantage costs typically include premiums, deductibles, copayments, and coinsurance.
Your costs will also be determined by your plan type, how often you need medical services, and what type of doctors, other healthcare professionals, and facilities you visit.