Suze Orman, Medicare'in emeklileri sağlık masraflarında 185.500 $ için zorladığını söyledi — bu yüzden şimdi "kendinizi zorlama" zamanı

Suze Orman says Medicare leaves retirees on the hook for $185,500 in health costs — so now's the time to 'push yourself'

AnnaMarie Houlis

Tue, September 15, 2026 at 2:00 PM GMT+3 5 min read

Medicare can provide an important safety net for older Americans, but it doesn't mean healthcare becomes free once you turn 65.

In a recent post on her website, personal finance expert Suze Orman warns that retirees could still face hundreds of thousands of dollars in health-related expenses throughout retirement, adding that younger Americans should take that possibility seriously when planning how much to save.

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According to Fidelity's latest estimate, cited by Orman, someone who turns 65 this year and enrolls in original Medicare could expect to spend approximately $185,500 out of pocket on healthcare over the remainder of their lifetime.

That's a substantial increase from the previous year's estimate. Orman notes that the $185,500 figure is 7.5% higher than a year earlier, reflecting rising healthcare costs as well as an increase in the monthly premium for Medicare Part B.

And that estimate doesn't include everything.

"Medicare does not pay for the cost of ongoing long-term care assistance," Orman writes, whether that care is provided at home or in a nursing home.

Medicare doesn't mean retirement healthcare is free

The $185,500 figure can sound especially daunting when viewed as a single lump sum. But Orman points out that it's an estimate of healthcare spending over an entire remaining lifetime — not a bill someone will receive when they enroll in Medicare at 65.

For a 65-year-old woman in average health, for example, the costs would be spread over more than two decades. Still, $185,500 is a lot of money.

"That's just for actual medical care," she writes, emphasizing that long-term care expenses can fall outside Medicare's coverage. Retirees have choices when it comes to Medicare coverage, but Orman also cautions against assuming higher-tier options will eliminate expenses.

With Original Medicare, beneficiaries receive coverage through Medicare Parts A and B but are still responsible for deductibles, coinsurance and other out-of-pocket costs, which is why many people purchase a separate Medigap policy to help cover those expenses.

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However, while Medigap can make covered medical costs more predictable, it comes with its own monthly premium. According to Orman, Medigap premiums in 2026 typically run around $150 to $250 per month (and are on the rise, with premiums increasing by as much as 45% in some states), although costs vary by state and can reach $300 or more in higher-cost corners of the country.

Medicare Advantage, meanwhile, is offered by private insurers and can have lower upfront costs, sometimes including $0 plan premiums. That said, beneficiaries typically pay deductibles, copays and coinsurance when they receive care and may have to use a provider network.

Orman notes that the 2026 legal limit for Medicare Advantage out-of-pocket costs is more than $9,000, although many plans cap costs at around half that amount. Neither option, however, makes healthcare free in retirement — and neither Original Medicare nor Medicare Advantage generally covers ongoing long-term care.

"So it's definitely not free," she writes, adding that Medicare Advantage could, in some circumstances, end up costing even more than Original Medicare paired with Medigap, depending on an individual's health needs and the specifics of their plan. "The main point you need to grasp is that neither Original Medicare nor Medicare Advantage is cost-free."

Orman advice: Start saving as much as possible

Orman's broader point is that retirement planning shouldn't focus solely on saving enough money to pay for your future food costs, housing needs and everyday expenses. Healthcare deserves its own place in the calculation — and a substantial place at that.

"Medicare covers a lot of your medical expenses in retirement, but you will likely need to spend some of your retirement income as well," Orman writes. "And it's why I hope, if you are in your 30s, 40s and 50s, you will push yourself to save as much as possible for retirement."

Her recommendation is straightforward: The more money you can put away while you're working, the more options you may have later.

"The more you can save today, the easier you will find it to cover your later-life medical costs that Medicare does not cover the tab for," Orman says.

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This article originally appeared on Moneywise.com under the title: Suze Orman says Medicare leaves retirees on the hook for $185,500 in health costs — so now's the time to 'push yourself'

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