Medicare Part B costs $202.90 per month in 2026 for most enrollees. That is the standard monthly premium announced by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) in November 2025, up $17.90 from the $185.00 premium in 2025. The annual deductible is $283 in 2026. After meeting the deductible, Medicare covers 80% of approved outpatient costs and you pay the remaining 20%.
If you are approaching 65 or already enrolled, knowing these numbers helps you budget accurately and identify whether you qualify for programs that reduce or eliminate Part B costs. Check your eligibility now at CoveredUSA — it takes 2 minutes.
What Is Medicare Part B?
Medicare is divided into four parts. Part A covers hospital stays and inpatient care. Part B covers outpatient medical services. Part B is what most people think of as "regular doctor coverage."
Part B pays for:
- Physician office visits and specialist consultations
- Outpatient hospital services and same-day surgeries
- Diagnostic tests, lab work, and imaging (X-rays, MRIs, CT scans)
- Preventive services: annual wellness visits, cancer screenings, flu shots, diabetes screenings
- Durable medical equipment (wheelchairs, walkers, oxygen equipment)
- Mental health services (outpatient therapy, psychiatric care)
- Ambulance services in medical emergencies
- Physical therapy, occupational therapy, and speech therapy
- Chemotherapy and radiation (outpatient settings)
- Dialysis for people with kidney failure (outpatient)
- Transplant services
Part B does not cover long-term custodial care, most dental care, routine vision exams, hearing aids, or prescription drugs outside of certain outpatient drug infusions. Those costs are handled by Part D or supplemental coverage.
2026 Medicare Part B Standard Costs
Here is a summary of what most Medicare Part B enrollees pay in 2026:
| Cost Item | 2026 Amount | 2025 Amount | Change |
|---|
| Monthly premium | $202.90 | $185.00 | +$17.90 |
| Annual deductible | $283.00 | $257.00 | +$26.00 |
| Coinsurance (after deductible) | 20% | 20% | No change |
After you pay the $283 annual deductible, Medicare Part B pays 80% of the Medicare-approved amount for covered services. You owe the remaining 20% with no out-of-pocket cap unless you have a Medigap supplemental policy.
The increase from 2025 to 2026 reflects projected utilization increases and price changes consistent with historical CMS actuarial models.
IRMAA: Higher Premiums for Higher Earners
High-income Medicare beneficiaries pay more than the standard $202.90 premium. This additional charge is called the Income-Related Monthly Adjustment Amount, or IRMAA. Your 2026 IRMAA is based on your 2024 Modified Adjusted Gross Income (MAGI) as reported on your tax return.
Crossing any IRMAA threshold by even one dollar moves you into the next bracket for the full year. Plan accordingly if you expect significant income events like asset sales or Roth conversions in 2024.
2026 Part B IRMAA Brackets
| 2024 MAGI (Individual) | 2024 MAGI (Married Filing Jointly) | Monthly Part B Premium |
|---|
| $106,000 or less | $212,000 or less | $202.90 (standard) |
| $106,001 to $133,000 | $212,001 to $266,000 | $284.10 |
| $133,001 to $167,000 | $266,001 to $334,000 | $394.60 |
| $167,001 to $200,000 | $334,001 to $400,000 | $505.10 |
| $200,001 to $500,000 | $400,001 to $750,000 | $594.90 |
| Above $500,000 | Above $750,000 | $628.90 |
Note: The IRMAA surcharge amounts above reflect the standard premium plus the applicable income-related adjustment. The surcharge portion ranges from $81.20 to $426.00 per month on top of the standard premium.
If you had a significant reduction in income since 2024 (job loss, retirement, divorce, death of a spouse), you can request a reconsideration using SSA Form SSA-44 to have IRMAA recalculated using more recent income data.
How Medicare Part B Premiums Are Deducted
For most beneficiaries, the Part B premium is automatically deducted from your monthly Social Security, Railroad Retirement Board, or Office of Personnel Management benefit payment. If you are not yet receiving those benefits, Medicare bills you directly every three months.
There is a "hold harmless" rule that protects Social Security recipients: your net Social Security benefit cannot decrease from one year to the next due to a Part B premium increase. This protection does not apply to IRMAA surcharges or to people enrolling in Medicare for the first time.
What Medicare Part B Does Not Cover (and the 20% Gap)
The 20% coinsurance after the deductible has no annual cap in Original Medicare. If you have a serious illness requiring many outpatient visits or expensive procedures, out-of-pocket costs can be substantial.
Common ways people cover the 20% gap:
- Medigap (Medicare Supplement Insurance): Standardized plans sold by private insurers that fill in cost-sharing gaps. Plans like Plan G and Plan N are popular in 2026.
- Medicare Advantage (Part C): An all-in-one alternative that replaces Original Medicare. Typically has copays instead of 20% coinsurance, often with an annual out-of-pocket maximum.
- Medicaid dual enrollment: People who qualify for both Medicare and Medicaid (dual eligibles) have most or all cost-sharing covered by Medicaid.
- Medicare Savings Programs: Low-income programs that pay Part B premiums and sometimes cost-sharing. See below.
Medicare Savings Programs: Get Part B Paid for You
If your income is below certain thresholds, you may qualify for a Medicare Savings Program (MSP). These are state-administered programs funded jointly by the state and federal government. They can pay your Part B premium, deductible, and coinsurance for you.
2026 Medicare Savings Program Income Limits
| Program | What It Covers | Monthly Income Limit (Individual) | Monthly Income Limit (Couple) |
|---|
| QMB (Qualified Medicare Beneficiary) | Part A and Part B premiums, deductibles, and coinsurance | $1,350 | $1,824 |
| SLMB (Specified Low-Income Medicare Beneficiary) | Part B premium only ($202.90/month) | $1,616 | $2,184 |
| QI (Qualifying Individual) | Part B premium (full or partial) | $1,816 | $2,455 |
| QDWI (Qualified Disabled Working Individual) | Part A premium for certain disabled workers | $4,615 | $6,239 |
Income limits are slightly higher in Alaska and Hawaii. Some states use higher thresholds than the federal minimums, so check with your state Medicaid office or use the screener at CoveredUSA to see if you qualify.
QMB is the most comprehensive level. If you qualify, Medicare providers are legally prohibited from billing you for Part A or Part B cost-sharing. You should never receive a bill for covered Medicare services if you are enrolled in QMB.
Asset limits also apply: most states require individual assets below $9,950 and couple assets below $14,910, not counting your home, one car, and personal belongings.
Enrollment is through your state Medicaid agency. You can apply any time of year.
When Does Part B Coverage Start?
Part B enrollment timing affects when your coverage begins:
- Initial Enrollment Period (IEP): A 7-month window around your 65th birthday (3 months before, the birthday month, 3 months after). If you enroll during the first 3 months, coverage starts the month you turn 65.
- General Enrollment Period (GEP): January 1 through March 31 each year, for people who missed their IEP. Coverage starts July 1.
- Special Enrollment Period (SEP): If you delayed Part B because you had employer coverage through active work, you have an 8-month window after that coverage ends to enroll without penalty.
Late enrollment penalty: If you delay Part B enrollment without a valid employer coverage exception, your premium increases by 10% for each full 12-month period you were eligible but not enrolled. That penalty is permanent and added to your monthly premium for as long as you have Part B.
How to Enroll in Medicare Part B
If you are not automatically enrolled, here are the steps to sign up:
- Confirm your eligibility. You qualify at 65 if you or your spouse paid Medicare payroll taxes for at least 10 years, or you qualify under age 65 through disability or ESRD.
- Gather documents. You will need your Social Security number, proof of U.S. citizenship or lawful residency, and employment records if you are applying for a Special Enrollment Period.
- Apply online at SSA.gov. Go to ssa.gov/medicare to complete the application online. Most applications take under 10 minutes.
- Apply at a Social Security office. You can also apply in person or by phone at 1-800-772-1213.
- Enroll through the Railroad Retirement Board if you receive railroad retirement benefits.
- Choose your additional coverage. After Part B is active, consider whether you want a Medigap plan, Medicare Advantage, or standalone Part D drug coverage.
Use the Medicare eligibility guide at CoveredUSA to understand your full options before enrolling.
Part B Costs Compared to Other Medicare Parts (2026)
| Medicare Part | What It Covers | Standard 2026 Cost |
|---|
| Part A | Hospital stays (inpatient) | $0 premium for most; $1,676 per-benefit-period deductible |
| Part B | Outpatient, doctor visits | $202.90/month premium; $283 deductible; 20% coinsurance |
| Part C (Advantage) | Replaces A+B, often includes D | Varies by plan; many $0 premium plans available |
| Part D | Prescription drugs | Varies; $590 annual deductible cap in 2026 |
Part C (Medicare Advantage) is an alternative, not an add-on. You still pay the Part B premium even if enrolled in a Medicare Advantage plan.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Medicare Part B premium for 2026?
The standard Medicare Part B monthly premium is $202.90 in 2026. This applies to most Medicare enrollees. Higher-income beneficiaries pay an additional IRMAA surcharge that can raise the monthly premium to as much as $628.90.
What is the Medicare Part B deductible for 2026?
The Medicare Part B annual deductible is $283 in 2026. You pay this amount out of pocket each calendar year before Medicare begins paying its 80% share of covered outpatient services.
Why did Medicare Part B go up in 2026?
The Part B premium increased by $17.90 (from $185.00 to $202.90) primarily due to projected increases in healthcare utilization and medical costs consistent with historical trends. CMS sets the premium each year to cover expected program costs.
Can I avoid paying the Medicare Part B premium?
If your income is low enough, you may qualify for a Medicare Savings Program that pays your Part B premium for you. The SLMB program covers the full $202.90 monthly premium for individuals earning up to $1,616 per month. The QMB program covers the premium plus deductibles and coinsurance.
Do I have to pay the IRMAA surcharge if my income dropped recently?
No. If your income dropped significantly in 2025 or 2026 compared to 2024 (due to retirement, job loss, divorce, or death of a spouse), you can request that Social Security use your current income to calculate IRMAA. File SSA Form SSA-44 with documentation of the income change.
Does Medicare Part B cover prescription drugs?
Medicare Part B covers a limited category of drugs: those administered in an outpatient clinical setting, such as IV chemotherapy, certain vaccines, and injectable medications given during a doctor's visit. It does not cover most prescription drugs you pick up at a pharmacy. For those, you need Medicare Part D.
What happens if I miss my Medicare Part B enrollment window?
If you miss your Initial Enrollment Period and do not qualify for a Special Enrollment Period, you must wait for the General Enrollment Period (January 1 to March 31). Coverage would then start July 1. You may also face a permanent late enrollment penalty of 10% added to your premium for each 12-month period you were eligible but did not enroll.
Is there an out-of-pocket maximum for Medicare Part B?
Original Medicare Part B does not have an annual out-of-pocket maximum. The 20% coinsurance on approved services can accumulate without limit. Medigap supplemental insurance or Medicare Advantage plans provide out-of-pocket protections that Original Medicare does not.
Medicare Part B decisions affect your healthcare costs and coverage access for years. Understanding the $202.90 standard premium, $283 deductible, and IRMAA brackets for 2026 puts you in a better position to plan. If you think you may qualify for help paying Part B costs through a Medicare Savings Program or Medicaid, check your eligibility at CoveredUSA now. It takes 2 minutes and is completely free.
