Medicare Part B premiums and costs for 2025

The standard Medicare Part B premium for 2025 is $185 per month for most people. This is the amount you pay to Medicare each month to cover doctor visits, outpatient care, and other medical services. The actual amount you pay may be higher or lower depending on your income and when you first enrolled in Medicare.

Part B also has other costs beyond the monthly premium. You pay a yearly deductible of $240 before Medicare starts to pay its share. After you meet the deductible, you typically pay 20% of the cost for most doctor services and outpatient care, while Medicare pays 80%. Some services, like preventive care, have no cost-sharing at all.

These amounts can change each year. The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) announces the new premium and deductible amounts in the fall, usually in October or November, for the following year. If you are already on Medicare, you will receive a notice in the mail showing your specific premium amount.

Key Takeaways

  • The standard Part B premium is $185 per month in 2025, but you may pay more if your income was high in prior years.
  • You also pay a $240 yearly deductible and 20% coinsurance for most services after the deductible is met.
  • Income-related monthly adjustment amounts (IRMAA) can increase your premium significantly if your modified adjusted gross income exceeds certain thresholds.
  • Your actual premium depends on your enrollment history and income, so the amount you see on your notice may differ from the standard rate.

How income affects what you pay

If your income is above a certain level, you will pay a higher Part B premium through something called Income-Related Monthly Adjustment Amounts (IRMAA). Medicare uses your tax return from two years prior to calculate this. For 2025, if your modified adjusted gross income (MAGI) was above $103,000 as a single filer or $206,000 as a married couple filing jointly in 2023, you will pay more than the standard premium.

The higher amounts increase in steps. Someone with a MAGI between $103,000 and $129,000 (single) pays about $259 per month. The premium continues to rise in brackets, reaching over $560 per month for the highest income tier. Married couples have different income thresholds, and each spouse's premium is calculated separately based on their individual income.

If your income drops significantly — for example, because you retired, had a major life event, or experienced a loss — you can request that Medicare recalculate your IRMAA using your current year's income instead of the two-year-old tax return. You will need to contact Social Security with documentation of the change.

When you first enroll in Medicare

If you are turning 65 and enrolling in Part B for the first time, you will pay the standard premium of $185 per month (or higher if IRMAA applies). Your enrollment period is typically seven months: three months before the month you turn 65, the month you turn 65, and three months after.

If you delay enrolling in Part B after your initial enrollment period ends, you may face a late enrollment penalty. This penalty is added to your premium permanently and equals 10% of the standard premium for each full year you delayed. For example, if you waited two years to enroll, your premium would be 20% higher than the standard rate for as long as you have Part B.

There are exceptions to the late enrollment penalty. If you had health insurance through an employer or union while you were still working, or if you were covered under a spouse's employer plan, you may not owe a penalty. You will need to provide proof of that coverage when you enroll.

Other Part B costs you should know about

Beyond the premium and deductible, Part B covers many services but not all of them. Doctor office visits, lab tests, imaging like X-rays and MRIs, and outpatient surgery are covered. You pay your 20% coinsurance for these after meeting your deductible.

Some services have different cost-sharing rules. Mental health visits and physical therapy have a 20% coinsurance but may have visit limits. Preventive services — like annual wellness visits, cancer screenings, and vaccines — are covered at no cost to you if you see an in-network provider.

Part B does not cover dental, vision, or hearing care. It also does not cover routine foot care, most cosmetic surgery, or acupuncture (with limited exceptions). If you want coverage for these services, you would need to purchase a separate plan or pay out of pocket.

How to find your specific 2025 premium

Your Part B premium appears on your Medicare Summary Notice, which you receive in the mail each year, usually in March or April. This notice shows what you paid in the previous year and what you will pay going forward. If you are newly enrolled, you will receive a notice when your coverage starts.

You can also view your premium information online through your Medicare.gov account. Go to Medicare.gov, sign in with your username and password, and select "My Medicare" to see your coverage details and costs. If you do not have an online account, you can create one using your Social Security number and other identifying information.

If you receive Social Security, your Part B premium is usually deducted automatically from your monthly benefit. If you do not receive Social Security, you will receive a bill from Medicare. Make sure your address is current with Social Security so you do not miss payment notices.

What to ask your doctor about Part B costs

When you schedule an appointment, ask whether the doctor accepts Medicare and whether they are an in-network provider. Out-of-network doctors can charge more, and you may owe more than the standard 20% coinsurance. Ask the office staff to estimate what your out-of-pocket cost will be based on your deductible status.

Before a procedure or test, ask the doctor's office to submit a claim to Medicare for a cost estimate. Medicare can tell you in advance what it will pay and what you will owe. This is especially important for expensive services like imaging or surgery.

If you receive a bill that seems wrong, ask for an itemized statement and compare it to your Medicare Summary Notice. You have the right to dispute charges you believe are incorrect.

When to contact Medicare about your premium

Contact Medicare if your premium notice shows an amount you do not recognize, if your income has changed significantly, or if you believe you should not be paying an IRMAA surcharge. You can reach Medicare by calling 1-800-MEDICARE (1-800-633-4227) or by visiting Medicare.gov.

If your income dropped due to retirement, job loss, divorce, or death of a spouse, you can request a recalculation. You will need to submit documentation — such as a recent tax return, pay stub, or death certificate — to support your request. Social Security handles IRMAA appeals, so you may need to contact them directly.

If you are struggling to pay your premium, ask about the Medicare Savings Programs offered by your state. These programs can help pay your Part B premium, deductible, and coinsurance if your income and resources fall below certain limits. Your state Medicaid office or local Area Agency on Aging can tell you whether you may be may be able to access.

Frequently Asked Questions

Will my Part B premium go up every year?

Part B premiums usually increase each year, but the amount varies. CMS announces the new premium in the fall for the following year. The increase is based on the rising cost of healthcare services covered by Part B. Some years the increase is small; other years it is larger.

What happens if I cannot afford my Part B premium?

Your state's Medicare Savings Program may help pay your premium if your income is low enough. You can also ask about Medicaid, which may cover Part B costs. Contact your state Medicaid office or call your local Area Agency on Aging to learn what programs exist in your state.

Can I drop Part B if I do not want to pay the premium?

You can drop Part B, but you will face a late enrollment penalty if you enroll again later. The penalty is 10% of the standard premium for each year you were not enrolled. If you have employer coverage, you may be able to drop Part B without penalty, but you must notify Medicare in writing.

Does my Part B premium change if I move to a different state?

Your Part B premium does not change based on where you live. The standard premium is the same nationwide. However, your IRMAA calculation and access to state-specific programs like Medicare Savings Programs may differ by state.

What if I enrolled late in Part B — do I have to pay the penalty forever?

Yes, the late enrollment penalty stays on your premium for as long as you have Part B. It does not go away after a certain number of years. The only way to avoid it is to enroll during your initial enrollment period or during a special enrollment period if you may have access to.