Part A is usually FREE! You generally qualify for premium-free part A if you or your spouse has worked and paid Medicare taxes for at least 10 years. There are also certain life experiences that could make you eligible for premium-free Part A even before you turn 65. If you don’t qualify for premium-free part A, you do have the option to purchase it.
For most people, Part B will cost $185 (in 2025) per month. This rate can and does change from year to year! The Part B premium also increases if you earn above a specific income threshold.
The national average cost for an Advantage plan in 2025 is $17 per month. There are even plans with $0 monthly premiums! Additionally, some Advantage plans reimburse you for your Part B premium.
As for Medigap or Supplement plans, they can range from about $50 – $280 (Washington state, in 2025) per month. These premiums can change in April every year.
And Part D for drug plans can range from $0 – $110 (in 2025).
If you enroll in an Advantage plan, you would be responsible for your Part B premium, and your Advantage plan premium which we’ll call $17. Your monthly total cost for Medicare would be $202.
Now let’s say you go the Supplement route and enroll in Plan G. You would be responsible for the Part B premium of $185, your Plan G premium of $238, and a $0 premium drug plan. Your total monthly cost would be $423. You would also be on the hook for extra expenses to add dental and vision insurance if you wanted those benefits.
Very importantly, premiums are not the only cost to consider. While Advantage plans have lower monthly premiums, those plans may subject you to a deductible and cost-sharing expenses leading to out-of-pocket expenses when seeking medical care. As for Supplement plans, they vary significantly in cost because they vary significantly in the additional coverage they provide. It’s important to understand the coverage offered by the plans you are comparing so that you can weigh the benefits and potential costs based on your individual expected medical care usage.
