Medicare Part B Monthly Premium: Costs and How It Works

The standard Medicare Part B monthly premium is $202.90 in 2026. Your actual bill may be higher or lower because income-related surcharges, enrollment timing, and assistance programs can affect what you pay.

What the Part B premium pays for

Medicare Part B is the part of Original Medicare that helps cover medically necessary outpatient care and certain preventive services. Covered services can include doctor visits, outpatient procedures, durable medical equipment, laboratory tests, and some home health services. Part B is not the same as Part A, which generally covers inpatient hospital care, and it does not cover every health expense.

The monthly premium is the amount charged to maintain Part B coverage; it is not a monthly allowance for care. You may also owe a deductible and coinsurance when you receive services. The premium is separate from any amount you pay for a Medicare Advantage plan, a Part D prescription drug plan, or a Medigap policy.

How much Part B costs in 2026

The standard 2026 Part B premium is $202.90 per month, and the annual Part B deductible is $283. These are distinct charges: the premium is generally paid each month, while the deductible is the amount you pay for covered Part B services before Medicare begins paying its share under the applicable rules. After the deductible, you usually pay 20% of the Medicare-approved amount for many covered services, although exceptions and service-specific rules apply.

The standard premium is a baseline, not a guaranteed personal bill. The amount can change each calendar year. Check Medicare.gov or your current Medicare bill for the applicable year and your own amount; figures from an earlier year may no longer apply.

Why your monthly amount may be different

Some people pay more than the standard premium because of the Income-Related Monthly Adjustment Amount, usually called IRMAA. Social Security generally determines this surcharge using tax-return information from two years earlier. For example, a 2026 income-related adjustment is generally based on tax information from 2024. The applicable income thresholds and surcharge amounts depend on filing status and are updated over time.

If your income has fallen because of a qualifying life-changing event, such as retirement or a reduction in work, you may be able to ask Social Security to reconsider an IRMAA decision. The process requires supporting information, and a change is not automatic. Contact Social Security to ask what documentation applies to your situation.

Other circumstances can change how the premium is collected or whether you pay it directly:

• If you receive Social Security or certain other federal benefits, the Part B premium is commonly deducted from the benefit payment.
• If you are not receiving benefits that can be used for deduction, Medicare may bill you directly, often through a quarterly bill.
• Medicaid or a Medicare Savings Program may help eligible people pay Part B premiums. Eligibility and assistance depend on the program and individual circumstances.
• Late enrollment or a gap in coverage can lead to a Part B late-enrollment penalty in some cases. The penalty may increase the premium for as long as you have Part B.

When and how you pay

Part B is voluntary for many people, but delaying enrollment can have consequences. Some people can delay without a penalty because they have qualifying coverage based on current employment; other coverage, including retiree coverage or COBRA, may not provide the same protection. Before turning down or postponing Part B, confirm the rules for your specific coverage with Social Security or Medicare rather than assuming that any insurance lets you delay safely.

People approaching 65 generally have an initial enrollment period around their 65th birthday. There are also special and general enrollment periods, with eligibility and effective dates depending on the circumstances. Because missing an enrollment window may affect coverage and costs, verify your dates with Social Security or Medicare well before coverage is needed.

For a bill or deduction you do not understand, review the Medicare Summary Notice or premium notice and compare it with your Social Security benefit statement if applicable. Contact the agency shown on the notice to resolve a billing or income-adjustment question. State health insurance assistance programs can also provide free, individualized Medicare information.

Premium versus total out-of-pocket cost

A Part B premium alone does not show the full cost of using Medicare. Your total spending can include the premium, the annual deductible, coinsurance, services Medicare does not cover, and premiums for other coverage. Original Medicare generally has no annual out-of-pocket maximum for Part A and Part B cost-sharing by itself. A Medigap policy may help pay certain cost-sharing amounts, while Medicare Advantage plans have their own covered-service cost-sharing and plan rules. Plan premiums and coverage vary, so compare the official plan documents for the year in question.

For example, someone paying the standard premium would pay $2,434.80 in Part B premiums over 12 months at the 2026 rate ($202.90 × 12), before considering the deductible, coinsurance, or any other coverage. This arithmetic is not a prediction of that person’s total medical spending; their actual premium could also differ because of IRMAA or assistance.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is the Medicare Part B premium $202.90 a month?
That is the standard monthly premium for 2026. An income-related surcharge, assistance, or other individual circumstances can change the amount you personally pay.

Is the Part B premium deducted from Social Security?
It is commonly deducted when you receive Social Security or certain other federal benefits. If no suitable benefit payment is available for deduction, Medicare may bill you directly.

Does the Part B premium include the deductible?
No. The premium maintains coverage, while the deductible is a separate amount tied to covered services. After meeting the deductible, coinsurance or other cost-sharing may still apply.

Why did my Part B premium go up?
Possible reasons include an annual premium change or an IRMAA surcharge based on income information. Check the notice explaining the amount; if a qualifying life event reduced your income, ask Social Security about requesting a reconsideration.

Can I avoid paying the Part B premium?
Some people qualify for a Medicare Savings Program that helps pay the premium. Whether you qualify depends on program requirements and your circumstances; contact your state Medicaid office or a State Health Insurance Assistance Program for current information.

Where to confirm your amount

Use Medicare.gov and official Social Security notices for current premiums, deductibles, enrollment dates, and IRMAA decisions. For personal billing questions, contact the agency responsible for the notice. Since amounts and eligibility rules can change, confirm the figures for the calendar year you need instead of relying on an old statement or an estimate.

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