One of the most common questions I get from people approaching 65 here in Mesa and across the East Valley is simple: how much is Medicare actually going to cost me? The answer isn’t as straightforward as most people expect, because Medicare has several moving parts — and each one comes with its own price tag.
Let me break it down so you know exactly what to budget for.
Medicare Part A: Hospital Coverage
Most people don’t pay a monthly premium for Part A. If you or your spouse paid Medicare taxes for at least 10 years (40 quarters), your Part A premium is $0. That covers about 99% of the people I work with here in Arizona.
But Part A isn’t completely free when you use it. If you’re admitted to the hospital, you’ll pay a deductible of $1,676 per benefit period in 2026. That resets every time you’re admitted after being out for 60 days. After the deductible, Part A covers your first 60 days fully, but coinsurance kicks in after that — and it adds up fast.
This is one of the main reasons people in Gilbert, Chandler, and across the Phoenix metro area add either a Medicare Advantage plan or a Medicare Supplement on top of Original Medicare.
Medicare Part B: Doctor Visits and Outpatient Care
Part B has a standard monthly premium of $185 in 2026. That amount comes directly out of your Social Security check for most people. If your income is higher — above $106,000 as an individual or $212,000 as a couple — you’ll pay more through what’s called IRMAA (Income-Related Monthly Adjustment Amount).
On top of the premium, Part B has an annual deductible of $257. Once you hit that, Medicare covers 80% of approved services and you’re responsible for the remaining 20%. There’s no out-of-pocket maximum on Original Medicare, which is something a lot of Arizona seniors don’t realize until they get a big bill.
Medicare Part D: Prescription Drug Coverage
Part D premiums vary depending on which plan you choose. Here in the Mesa and Tempe area, I typically see Part D plans ranging from $0 to about $80 per month in 2026, depending on which medications you need covered.
The big change for 2026 is the $2,000 annual out-of-pocket cap on prescription drugs. This is a major improvement — before this cap, some people were paying $5,000 or more per year for their medications. If you’re on expensive prescriptions, this could save you thousands.
Medicare Advantage: The All-in-One Option
Many of the folks I help across Scottsdale, Mesa, and the East Valley choose a Medicare Advantage plan instead of stacking Parts A, B, and D separately. Most Advantage plans in Maricopa County have $0 monthly premiums (you still pay your Part B premium), and they bundle hospital, doctor, drug coverage, and often dental, vision, and hearing into one plan.
The tradeoff is that you’ll use a network of providers and have copays when you receive care. But with a built-in out-of-pocket maximum — usually between $3,500 and $8,000 depending on the plan — your costs are capped in a way that Original Medicare alone doesn’t offer.
Medicare Supplement: Predictable Costs
If you prefer the freedom to see any doctor who accepts Medicare without worrying about networks, a Medicare Supplement (Medigap) plan might be the right fit. Here in Arizona, Medigap premiums typically range from $100 to $250 per month depending on your age, the plan you choose, and which insurance company you go with.
The advantage is predictability. With a Plan G supplement, for example, your only out-of-pocket cost for the year is the Part B deductible of $257. After that, everything is covered at 100%. For people who want peace of mind and budget certainty, it’s hard to beat.
So What’s the Total?
For most Arizona residents going onto Medicare in 2026, here’s a realistic range of what you might pay monthly:
Medicare Advantage route: Around $185/month (just your Part B premium) with copays as you use services and a yearly out-of-pocket cap.
Medicare Supplement route: Around $285 to $435/month (Part B premium plus Medigap premium plus a standalone Part D plan) with very little out-of-pocket cost when you receive care.
Neither option is universally better — it depends on your health, your doctors, your medications, and how you prefer to budget. That’s exactly the kind of conversation I have with people every day.
The Bottom Line
Medicare costs in Arizona aren’t one-size-fits-all, and the right plan can save you thousands of dollars a year compared to the wrong one. The best move you can make is to sit down with someone who knows the local plans and can compare them side by side based on your specific situation.
I help people across Mesa, Gilbert, Chandler, Tempe, and the entire East Valley figure this out every day. There’s no cost to work with me and no pressure — just a clear conversation about your options.
Call me at 480-296-5804 or fill out the form and I’ll reach out at a time that works for you.
Andy Childs is a licensed Medicare broker based in Mesa, Arizona.