Indiana Medicare Costs 2026: Premiums, Deductibles, and How to Lower Them

What Medicare Costs Every Indiana Beneficiary in 2026

Medicare isn't free, even for people who paid into it their entire working life. In 2026, the standard costs add up quickly for seniors on a fixed income — and Indiana has programs specifically designed to reduce or eliminate most of them.

Part B Premium: $202.90 Per Month

Every Medicare beneficiary pays the Part B premium. In 2026, the standard amount is $202.90 per month, deducted directly from the Social Security check. Higher-income beneficiaries pay more through IRMAA surcharges, but most Indiana seniors on fixed incomes pay the standard amount.

Over a full year, that's $2,434.80 — money that comes straight off the top of a Social Security check before it hits the bank account.

Part B Deductible and Coinsurance

Beyond the premium, Part B charges a $283 annual deductible. After meeting it, beneficiaries pay 20% coinsurance on most outpatient services — doctor visits, lab work, durable medical equipment, outpatient procedures. There's no annual out-of-pocket cap on original Medicare, so a hospitalization or series of specialist visits can generate thousands in coinsurance charges.

Part A Costs

Most people don't pay a Part A premium because they or a spouse earned 40 quarters of Medicare-covered employment. But seniors who didn't earn enough credits face a monthly premium of up to $518 in 2026.

Even with premium-free Part A, the cost-sharing is substantial:

• Hospital deductible: $1,736 per benefit period (resets each time you're admitted after a 60-day gap)
• Days 61–90 coinsurance: $434 per day
• Lifetime reserve days (91–150): $868 per day
• Skilled nursing facility days 21–100: $217 per day

How Indiana's Programs Reduce These Costs

Indiana offers several programs that directly pay Medicare costs:

QMB (Qualified Medicare Beneficiary) covers the most. The state pays the Part B premium ($202.90/month), the Part A premium if owed, the Part B deductible ($283/year), and all Part A and Part B coinsurance and copayments. A QMB beneficiary's out-of-pocket Medicare costs drop to zero. Income limit: $2,015/month single, $2,725/month couple in 2026.

SLMB (Specified Low-Income Medicare Beneficiary) pays the Part B premium only — $202.90/month back in the Social Security check. Income limit: $2,281/month single, $3,086/month couple.

QI (Qualifying Individual) also pays the Part B premium only. Income limit: $2,481/month single, $3,356/month couple.

These limits are well above the federal floor. National resources list QMB at 100% FPL, SLMB at 120%, and QI at 135%. Indiana uses Section 1902(r)(2) disregards to raise them to 150%, 170%, and 185% respectively.

The Extra Help Bonus

Getting approved for any Indiana MSP automatically triggers full Extra Help (Low-Income Subsidy) for Part D prescription drugs. In 2026, that means $0 Part D premiums on benchmark plans, no deductible, and drug copayments capped at $5.10 for generics and $12.65 for brand-name drugs — plus the $2,100 annual out-of-pocket cap under the Inflation Reduction Act.

HoosierRx: Part D Premium Help for Seniors Denied Extra Help

For seniors aged 65 and older who earn too much for Extra Help or were denied due to excess assets, HoosierRx pays up to $70 per month toward the Part D plan premium. No asset test applies to HoosierRx. Income limit: $23,475 per year for a single applicant.

Putting the Numbers Together

A single Indiana senior with $1,900 in monthly Social Security income and $6,000 in savings qualifies for QMB. Before QMB, they're paying $202.90/month in Part B premiums plus all deductibles and coinsurance. After QMB, their Medicare costs are $0 and they get full Extra Help for prescriptions.

Our Indiana Medicare Savings Programs guide walks through the full cost picture for each MSP tier, includes the eligibility worksheet to check income and assets against Indiana's limits, and covers the application process through DFR from start to approval.

See more Indiana guides →