Medicare Part B Premium 2026: What You'll Pay

The standard Medicare Part B monthly premium is $202.90 in 2026, up from $185.00 in 2025, an increase of $17.90 a month, according to the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS). The annual Part B deductible also rose, to $283 from $257. Most people have this premium deducted directly from their Social Security check, so the higher amount shows up automatically starting in January 2026. Beneficiaries with higher incomes pay more through the income-related monthly adjustment amount, known as Medicare IRMAA, which can push the total Part B premium as high as $689.90 a month.

Why the Part B premium went up

Part B premiums are set each year to cover roughly 25% of projected program costs for outpatient care, physician services, and durable medical equipment, with general federal revenue covering the rest. CMS adjusts the premium annually based on projected spending, and the increase for 2026 reflects rising health care costs across the program. The change applies broadly: nearly everyone enrolled in Part B pays the new standard amount unless they qualify for a Medicare Savings Program or fall into a higher-income IRMAA bracket.

How the deductible works alongside the premium

Before Medicare starts paying its share of covered outpatient services, you're responsible for the annual Part B deductible, $283 in 2026. Once you've met it, you typically pay 20% coinsurance for most Part B-covered services, with Medicare paying the remaining 80%. This is separate from the out-of-pocket maximum that applies to Medicare Advantage plans; Original Medicare has no annual out-of-pocket cap, which is one reason many people pair it with a Medigap policy or Part D drug plan to manage costs.

Who pays more: IRMAA and income brackets

About 8% of Medicare Part B beneficiaries pay an income-related monthly adjustment amount because their modified adjusted gross income exceeds $109,000 (individual filers) or $218,000 (joint filers), based on tax returns from two years prior. There are several income tiers between the standard premium and the top rate of $689.90, and Part D drug plans carry a similar surcharge structure. The Social Security Administration determines your IRMAA bracket and notifies you by mail if you owe a surcharge. If your income has dropped since that tax year, due to retirement, a life-changing event, or other circumstances, you can request a reconsideration. For a full breakdown of the income brackets and how they're calculated, see our guide to Medicare IRMAA.

What this means for your budget

If you're already enrolled, the higher premium will be reflected in your Social Security payment or your quarterly bill starting January 2026. If you're approaching 65, it's worth factoring the new premium into your overall cost planning alongside Medicare prescription drug costs and any Medigap premium you're considering. Some people use a Health Savings Account (HSA) built up before enrolling to help offset these costs, see Medicare and HSA rules for how that interacts with enrollment timing. If you're still working past 65 and covered by an employer plan, review how that coverage coordinates with Medicare before you enroll, since employer coverage rules can affect whether you owe a premium at all right away.