Medicare Comparison Calculator & Worksheet
These tools will help you compare your different Medicare options and help you choose the option(s) that may potentially minimize your out-of-pocket costs. Triage Cancer offers two tools to help you compare Medicare options and estimate your out-of-pocket costs: the Medicare Comparison Calculator, an interactive online tool, and the Medicare Comparison Worksheet, a downloadable worksheet. Both focus on cost only and do not include provider or facility coverage. Some values in the calculator are pre-filled using 2026 data.
Medicare Terms to Understand
- Medicare is a government-funded and run health insurance program. To be eligible for Medicare, you must: be 65+ years old; have collected Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) more than 24 months; or have been diagnosed with end-stage renal disease (ESRD) or amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). Medicare coverage is broken down into 4 parts:
- Part A: Hospital Insurance. Includes hospital care, skilled nursing facilities, nursing homes, hospice & home health.
- Part B: Medical Insurance. Includes outpatient services, preventive care, labs, mental health care, ambulances, & durable medical equipment.
- Part D: Prescription Drug Coverage. You have different plans to choose from depending on where you live, with different premiums and formularies.
- Part C: Advantage plans. Part C is an alternative to Parts A & B and includes the benefits and services covered under Parts A & B and usually Part D. You can select a PPO or HMO plan that is run by a Medicare approved private insurance company. If you buy a Part C plan, you are not eligible to buy a Medigap plan.
- A Medigap plan is a supplemental insurance plan that will help pay for your deductibles, co-payments, and cost share amounts. Typically, plans are labeled as A through N, and each plan with the same letter must offer the same basic benefits. The premiums and deductibles vary with each plan. If you have chosen original Medicare (Parts A & B), there is a 20% cost share amount, so a Medigap plan can help pay for that expense.
How To Use The Calculator
Use the calculator below to input your information about the plans you are considering. The calculator will help you get a sense of what your out-of-pocket costs will be for each plan, assuming you will reach your out-of-pocket maximum. It is a similar process, if you prefer to print and handwrite on the worksheet. Please keep in mind that both of these tools provide an estimate that assumes that you are seeing in-network providers (e.g., doctors, hospitals, labs, pharmacies) for covered services. If you see an out-of-network provider or receive a service that your Medicare plan does not cover, you will likely have additional costs. Depending on the plan you choose, you may also need to calculate your prescription drug costs covered under Part D.
Medicare options comparison calculator
First, decide if you're comparing Medicare Advantage (Part C) plans, or if you want Original Medicare, a Part D plan, and a Medigap plan. Then, fill in the numbers for up to two plan options. Press calculate to see your totals. When you are done, use the print button to save your results as a PDF. This tool provides general education, not legal or financial advice, and does not replace reviewing your actual plan documents.
Medicare Advantage (Part C) plan details
Enter each plan's monthly premiums and out-of-pocket maximum, then press calculate. The out-of-pocket maximum already accounts for deductibles, copays, and coinsurance, so it is the only cost-sharing figure used in the total. Everyone with a Medicare Advantage plan still has to pay their Part B premium, and some plans also charge a separate monthly Part C premium on top of that, so this calculator asks for both.
About the Part B premium: the standard monthly Part B premium for 2026 is $202.90. If your income is above certain thresholds, you will pay more because of the income-related monthly adjustment amount (IRMAA). Your IRMAA amount is listed on the notice Social Security sends you each fall, or on your Medicare account online.
Option 1
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Enter your amount, including IRMAA if it applies. See the note above.
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$
Option 2
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Enter your amount, including IRMAA if it applies. See the note above.
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Calculates the health care cost for each option, not including Part D.
Option 1: Part C annual cost (medical care only)
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Option 2: Part C annual cost (medical care only)
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Part D prescription drug coverage
The most anyone can pay out-of-pocket for covered Part D drugs is $2,100, in 2026. If the Medicare Advantage option above already includes drug coverage, you do not need to add anything in this section.
If you have Extra Help, a Medicare Savings Program, or Medicaid: your actual costs are likely lower than this calculator shows. These programs can reduce or eliminate premiums, deductibles, and copays for Part B, Part D, and Medigap, and most people with Extra Help pay only a small, fixed amount per prescription rather than paying toward the $2,100 cap at all. Enter your actual costs if you know them, or contact your plan or a local benefits counselor to find out what you qualify for.
Option 1
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This tool assumes the full $2,100 out-of-pocket cap for covered drugs.
Option 2
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This tool assumes the full $2,100 out-of-pocket cap for covered drugs.
Applies the $2,100 out-of-pocket cap automatically.
Option 1: Part D annual cost
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Option 2: Part D annual cost
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Your Medicare Advantage totals
Option 1
Maximum Total Cost for Medical ExpensesNot yet calculated
Maximum Total Cost for Prescription DrugsNot yet calculated
Maximum Annual Cost—
Option 2
Maximum Total Cost for Medical ExpensesNot yet calculated
Maximum Total Cost for Prescription DrugsNot yet calculated
Maximum Annual Cost—
Select one of these Medicare Advantage plans to compare it with Original Medicare + Medigap. At the top of this page select Original Medicare + Medigap to calculate the total cost.
Your saved picks
Go through Medicare Advantage above, calculate, and save the option you like. Then switch to Original Medicare + Medigap and do the same. Your saved picks stay here so you can compare Advantage against Original Medicare + Medigap directly.
Medicare Advantage pick
Maximum Total Cost for Medical ExpensesNot yet selected
Maximum Total Cost for Prescription DrugsNot yet selected
Maximum Annual Cost—
Original Medicare + Medigap pick
Maximum Total Cost for Medical ExpensesNot yet selected
Maximum Total Cost for Prescription DrugsNot yet selected
Maximum Annual Cost—
More information about choosing and using a Medicare plan:
Last reviewed for updates: 09/2026
Disclaimer: This tool is intended to provide general information on the topics presented. It is provided with the understanding that Triage Cancer is not engaged in rendering any legal, medical, or professional services by its publication or distribution. Although this content was reviewed by a professional, it should not be used as a substitute for professional services. © Triage Cancer 2026
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