How much does Medicare cost?

Part A (Hospital Insurance)

Monthly premium (for people who pay a premium): If you buy Part A, you’ll pay up to $441 each month in 2013. Most people get premium-free Part A.

Late enrollment penalty: If you don’t buy it when you’re first eligible, your monthly premium may go up 10%. (You’ll have to pay the higher premium for twice the number of years you could have had Part A, but didn’t sign up.)

Part B (Medical Insurance)

Monthly premium: Most people pay the Part B premium of $104.90 each month in 2013.

Late enrollment penalty: If you don’t sign up for Part B when you’re first eligible or if you drop Part B and then get it later, you may have to pay a late enrollment penalty for as long as you have Medicare. Your monthly premium for Part B may go up 10% for each full 12-month period that you could have had Part B, but didn’t sign up for it.

Part C (Medicare Advantage)

Monthly premium: The Part C monthly premium varies by plan.

Part D (Medicare prescription drug coverage)

Monthly premium: The Part D monthly premium varies by plan (higher-income consumers may pay more).

Late enrollment penalty: The cost of the late enrollment penalty depends on how long you went without creditable prescription drug coverage.