The standard monthly premium for Medicare Part B, the part of Medicare that covers doctor visits, outpatient care, preventive screenings, home health care and durable medical equipment, is $202.90 in 2026. That is an increase of $17.90 from the 2025 premium of $185.00.
The annual Part B deductible is $283 in 2026, up $26 from $257 in 2025. After you meet the deductible, you generally pay 20 percent of the Medicare-approved amount for most Part B services, with no annual limit unless you have a Medigap policy or a Medicare Advantage plan.
Most people pay the standard premium
The standard premium applies if your modified adjusted gross income was $109,000 or less on an individual return, or $218,000 or less on a joint return, based on your 2024 tax return. Most people with Medicare fall into this group.
Higher-income enrollees pay more
Above those thresholds you pay an income-related monthly adjustment amount, or IRMAA, on top of the standard premium:
| Individual return | Joint return | Total monthly Part B premium in 2026 |
|---|---|---|
| $109,000 or less | $218,000 or less | $202.90 |
| Above $109,000 up to $137,000 | Above $218,000 up to $274,000 | $284.10 |
| Above $137,000 up to $171,000 | Above $274,000 up to $342,000 | $405.80 |
| Above $171,000 up to $205,000 | Above $342,000 up to $410,000 | $527.50 |
| Above $205,000 and less than $500,000 | Above $410,000 and less than $750,000 | $649.20 |
| $500,000 or more | $750,000 or more | $689.90 |
How you pay it
If you receive Social Security, your Part B premium is deducted from your monthly benefit. If you are not yet collecting Social Security, Medicare bills you directly, usually quarterly.
If your income has gone down
Because the 2026 premium is based on your 2024 income, a recent change can leave you paying more than you should. If you have had a life-changing event such as retirement, reduced work hours, the death of a spouse, divorce or the loss of income-producing property, you can file Form SSA-44 to ask Social Security to use more recent income.
Talk to a licensed iHealthAgents advisor
We can walk you through what these amounts mean for your own coverage and compare every plan available where you live.
Book a time with a licensed advisor, or call Illinois 312-726-6565 or Texas 972-666-0578.
This article is for educational purposes only and is not a substitute for advice about your specific situation. Figures shown are the 2026 amounts published by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services.
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