{"id":54914,"date":"2022-11-10T13:37:38","date_gmt":"2022-11-10T18:37:38","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.singlecare.com\/blog\/?p=54914"},"modified":"2026-01-14T10:46:25","modified_gmt":"2026-01-14T15:46:25","slug":"cost-of-medicare-part-b","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.singlecare.com\/blog\/cost-of-medicare-part-b\/","title":{"rendered":"How much does Medicare Part B cost?"},"content":{"rendered":"

Medicare Part B covers outpatient items such as doctor services, some home health services, and durable medical equipment such as insulin pumps. Part B also covers some preventive services like screenings and vaccines. Although Medicare helps cover the cost of these services, Medicare Part B is not free. You will be responsible for paying deductibles, a standard premium, and copays for covered services.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
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Compare Medicare Part B costs over time<\/span><\/h2>\n<\/th>\n<\/tr>\n<\/thead>\n

<\/td>\n2026<\/b><\/td>\n2025<\/b><\/td>\n2024<\/b><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Premium<\/span><\/td>\n$202.90 per month*<\/span><\/td>\n$185 per month*<\/span><\/td>\n$174.70 per month*<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Deductible<\/span><\/td>\n$283 per year<\/span><\/td>\n$257 per year<\/span><\/td>\n$240 per year<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Coinsurance<\/span><\/td>\n20%**<\/span><\/td>\n20%**<\/span><\/td>\n20%**<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Late penalty<\/span><\/td>\n10% for every year without Part B<\/span><\/td>\n10% for every year without Part B<\/span><\/td>\n10% for every year without Part B<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n

* If your annual income is less than IRMAA amounts.<\/span><\/small><\/small><\/p>\n

** If your healthcare provider accepts a Medicare assignment. Also, there is sometimes no coinsurance (i.e., for preventive services).<\/span><\/small><\/small><\/p>\n

How much does Medicare Part B cost per month?<\/span><\/h2>\n

With some exceptions, Medicare Part A\u2019s premium is $0 for most consumers, but most Medicare beneficiaries will pay a standard Medicare Part B premium. In 2026, most Medicare enrollees pay a $202.90 monthly premium.<\/span><\/p>\n

Higher-income beneficiaries will have an Income Related Monthly Adjustment Amount (IRMAA). These higher premiums are based on gross income reported on their tax returns over the previous two years.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

The chart below shows the amount a beneficiary will pay based on their IRMAA. This amount can be determined by a household or an individual, depending on how the income taxes are filed. <\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
\n
Filing individual tax returns\u00a0<\/b><\/td>\nFiling joint tax returns<\/b><\/td>\nAdjustment amount<\/b><\/td>\nTotal monthly premium amount<\/b><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
$109,000 or less<\/span><\/td>\n$218,000 or less<\/span><\/td>\n$0.00<\/span><\/td>\n$202.90<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
$109,001 to $137,000<\/span><\/td>\n$218,001 to $274,000<\/span><\/td>\n$81.20<\/span><\/td>\n$284.10<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
$137,001 to $171,000<\/span><\/td>\n$274,001 to $342,000<\/span><\/td>\n$202.90<\/span><\/td>\n$405.80<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
$171,001 to $205,000<\/span><\/td>\n$342,001 to $410,000<\/span><\/td>\n$324.60<\/span><\/td>\n$527.50<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
$205,001 to $499,999<\/span><\/td>\n$410,001 to $749,999<\/span><\/td>\n$446.30<\/span><\/td>\n$649.20<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
$500,000 or more<\/span><\/td>\n$750,000 or more<\/span><\/td>\n$487.00<\/span><\/td>\n$689.90<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n

How much does Medicare Part B cost per year?<\/span><\/h2>\n

Before Medicare Part B starts paying its cost-share for medical services, the beneficiary must meet the annual Medicare Part B deductible. Once this occurs, Medicare will pay its portion of the Medicare-approved costs for services rendered under Part B. The Part B deductible increased by $26 from 2025 to 2026, going from $257 to $283. <\/span><\/p>\n

How much does Medicare cover per service?<\/span><\/h2>\n

Items and services covered by Medicare Part B have a coinsurance portion paid by both Medicare and the beneficiary. Once the annual deductible is met, Medicare pays 80%, and the beneficiary is responsible for 20% of the Medicare-approved amount.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

If a provider accepts Medicare but not Medicare assignment, they can charge up to 15% more than the Medicare-approved amount. The Medicare beneficiary is responsible for these Part B excess charges. <\/span>Medicare coinsurance<\/span><\/a> and Part B excess charges don\u2019t typically change annually.<\/span><\/p>\n

Coinsurance applies to some covered outpatient items and services associated with your Part B medical insurance. Sometimes, there is no coinsurance, such as for preventive services and <\/span>annual wellness visits<\/span><\/a>.<\/span><\/p>\n

Cost-sharing with Medicare Part B doesn\u2019t limit out-of-pocket costs, making <\/span>Original Medicare<\/span><\/a> (Parts A and B) potentially expensive and unpredictable.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Some beneficiaries enroll in a Medicare Supplement plan (called <\/span>Medigap<\/span><\/a>) to help cover Medicare costs and coinsurance left by Medicare. Medigap plans are secondary to Original Medicare and cover all or part of the cost-share associated with Original Medicare.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

If you want a plan with an out-of-pocket limit, you may consider enrolling in a <\/span>Medicare Advantage plan<\/span><\/a> instead of Original Medicare. MA plans combine Parts A, B, and usually D and are required to cover the same benefits as Original Medicare. These plans often include additional benefits, health services, and prescription drug coverage.<\/span><\/p>\n

Medicare Part B late enrollment penalty\u00a0<\/span><\/h2>\n

Late enrollment penalties apply to eligible Medicare beneficiaries who don\u2019t take coverage when they become eligible if they do not already have creditable coverage. The Medicare Part B penalty compounds at a rate of 10% for every consecutive 12-month period that they\u2019re eligible for but don’t enroll in Medicare, and don’t have creditable coverage.<\/span><\/p>\n

The 10% penalty is based on Medicare\u2019s standard Part B premium. In some situations, a beneficiary can delay their Medicare Part B and not be assessed a Part B penalty. Below are some scenarios that allow for delaying Part B without penalty:<\/span><\/p>\n