Frequently Asked Questions
How much is Medicare Part B in 2026?
The standard Medicare Part B premium in 2026 is $174.70 per month. Higher-income beneficiaries pay more due to IRMAA surcharges — up to $594.00 per month at the highest income tier. The annual Part B deductible is $257 in 2026. After meeting the deductible, Medicare pays 80% of approved costs; you pay 20%.
Does Social Security automatically deduct Medicare Part B premium?
Yes — for most beneficiaries, the Part B premium is automatically deducted from your monthly Social Security payment. If your Social Security benefit is less than your Part B premium, you will receive a bill from Medicare. If you are not yet receiving Social Security, you pay the Part B premium quarterly by check, online at pay.gov, or through your bank.
What is the Medicare Part B deductible in 2026?
The Medicare Part B annual deductible is $257 in 2026. You pay this amount out of pocket before Medicare begins covering 80% of approved costs. The deductible resets every January 1. With Medigap Plan G, you pay the $257 deductible — and nothing else for all covered Part B services for the rest of the year.
What does Medicare Part B 20% coinsurance mean?
After meeting your $257 annual deductible, Medicare Part B pays 80% of the Medicare-approved amount for covered services. You pay the remaining 20% with no out-of-pocket cap under Original Medicare. On a $1,000 approved service, you pay $200. This is why Medigap (which covers the 20%) is so important for seniors with significant medical needs.
How can I lower my Medicare Part B premium?
You can lower your Part B premium if your income qualifies for Medicare Savings Programs (which pay the premium for very low-income seniors), if your income has decreased recently and you qualify for IRMAA reconsideration (file Form SSA-44), or if you qualify for Extra Help which reduces associated costs. The standard premium cannot be further reduced for most beneficiaries.
Medicare Part B costs more than most seniors initially budget for — and the costs have increased significantly over the past decade. This is your complete 2026 reference for every Part B cost: the standard premium, IRMAA surcharges for higher incomes, the annual deductible, and what you pay for different services.
2026 Part B Standard Premium
The standard Medicare Part B monthly premium in 2026 is $174.70. Over the course of a year, this totals $2,096.40 per person. For a married couple both on Medicare, Part B premiums alone cost $4,192.80 annually — before any services are used.
The Part B premium is automatically deducted from monthly Social Security payments for most beneficiaries. If your Social Security payment is smaller than the premium (this affects some people who claimed early), you receive a quarterly bill from Medicare.
IRMAA: Higher Premiums for Higher Incomes
If your Modified Adjusted Gross Income (MAGI) exceeded $106,000 (single) or $212,000 (married) in 2024, you pay an additional monthly surcharge called IRMAA in 2026:
| 2024 Income (Single) | 2026 Part B Premium |
|---|---|
| ≤ $106,000 | $174.70/mo |
| $106,001–$133,000 | $244.60/mo |
| $133,001–$167,000 | $349.40/mo |
| $167,001–$200,000 | $454.20/mo |
| $200,001–$500,000 | $559.00/mo |
| > $500,000 | $594.00/mo |
Deductible and Coinsurance
The 2026 Part B annual deductible is $257. After meeting this deductible, Medicare pays 80% of approved costs and you pay 20% — with no annual out-of-pocket cap under Original Medicare. With Medigap Plan G: pay the $257 deductible once, then $0 for all covered Part B services for the rest of the year.
What Part B Covers at 80% (After Deductible)
- Doctor and specialist visits
- Outpatient hospital services
- Lab tests and diagnostic imaging
- Durable medical equipment (wheelchairs, walkers, CPAP)
- Outpatient mental health services
- Chemotherapy and other outpatient treatments
- Physical, occupational, and speech therapy
- Ambulance services
Preventive services (annual wellness visit, colonoscopy, mammogram, vaccines) are covered at 100% — no deductible, no coinsurance — as long as they qualify as preventive and are performed by a Medicare-participating provider.
- Budget $174.70/month per person for Part B premiums in 2026
- Add the $257 annual deductible to your healthcare budget
- If your 2024 income exceeded $106,000 (single), expect an IRMAA notice
- If income decreased since 2024, file Form SSA-44 to appeal your IRMAA
- Consider Medigap Plan G — paying $257 deductible once eliminates all other Part B costs