The 2025 Medicare Part B Premium
The standard Medicare Part B premium for 2025 is $185 per month for most people who enroll. This is an increase from $174.70 in 2024. The exact amount you pay depends on your income, when you first became may be able to access for Medicare, and whether you have other coverage.
Part B covers doctor visits, outpatient care, medical equipment, and some preventive services. The premium is separate from Part A (hospital insurance), which most people do not pay for if they or their spouse paid Medicare taxes for at least 10 years.
If you are already on Medicare, your 2025 premium notice will arrive in December 2024. If you are turning 65 or becoming may be able to access in 2025, you will see the $185 figure when you enroll, though your actual bill may differ based on your income level.
Key Takeaways
- The standard Part B premium is $185 per month in 2025, but higher earners pay more through Income-Related Monthly Adjustment Amounts (IRMAA).
- Your 2025 premium is based on your income from two years ago (2023 tax return), so a major life change in 2024 may not affect your 2025 bill.
- If you delay enrolling in Part B without other coverage, you will owe a permanent 10 percent penalty for each year you were late.
- You can change your Part B coverage only during the General Enrollment Period (January 1 to March 31) or if you have a may have access to life event.
Income-Based Premiums (IRMAA) for 2025
If your income is above a certain threshold, you pay a higher Part B premium called an Income-Related Monthly Adjustment Amount (IRMAA). The thresholds are based on your Modified Adjusted Gross Income (MAGI) from your 2023 tax return.
For 2025, the income brackets are:
| Income Level (2023 MAGI) | Monthly Part B Premium |
|---|---|
| $191,000 or less (single) / $382,000 or less (married) | $185 |
| $191,001–$241,000 (single) / $382,001–$482,000 (married) | $259 |
| $241,001–$291,000 (single) / $482,001–$582,000 (married) | $333 |
| $291,001–$341,000 (single) / $582,001–$682,000 (married) | $407 |
| Over $341,000 (single) / Over $682,000 (married) | $481 |
If your income changed significantly in 2024 — because you retired, sold a home, or had a major life event — you can request that Medicare use your 2024 income instead. You must file a form called the Medicare Income-Related Monthly Adjustment Amount – Life-Changing Event (form SSA-44) with Social Security.
When Your Premium Changes During the Year
Medicare recalculates your premium each January based on your tax return from two years prior. This means your 2025 premium is locked in based on your 2023 income, and it will not change again until January 2026.
The only exception is if you report a may have access to life event to Social Security. These include retirement, loss of income, marriage, divorce, or death of a spouse. You have 60 days from the event to report it. Social Security will then use your current-year income to recalculate your premium for the remainder of that year.
Common mistakes: waiting too long to report a change, or assuming a temporary income drop will automatically lower your premium. You must contact Social Security directly — Medicare will not adjust your premium without your request and documentation.
Part B Deductible and Costs Beyond the Premium
The Part B premium is only one cost. In 2025, you also pay a $240 annual deductible before Medicare begins to cover most services. After you meet the deductible, you typically pay 20 percent of the cost of covered services, and Medicare pays 80 percent.
There is no yearly cap on your out-of-pocket costs under Original Medicare (Part B and Part A combined). If you have a serious illness or injury, your costs can grow very large. Many people buy a Medigap policy (supplemental insurance) to cover the deductible and coinsurance, though Medigap premiums are separate from Part B and vary by plan and insurer.
If you are on a Medicare Advantage plan (Part C) instead of Original Medicare, you do not pay the Part B premium directly — it is included in your plan premium. However, you may pay a separate plan premium, copays, and coinsurance depending on the plan.
Late Enrollment Penalties
If you do not enroll in Part B when you first become may be able to access at 65, and you do not have other health coverage, you will owe a permanent 10 percent penalty on your Part B premium for as long as you are on Medicare. This penalty is added to your monthly bill and never goes away.
The penalty applies only if you delay without a valid reason. If you were still working and covered by your employer's health plan, or if you were covered by a spouse's plan, you may have had a valid reason to delay. You must prove this with documents from your employer or spouse's plan.
If you missed the important date and now owe a penalty, you can enroll during the General Enrollment Period (January 1 to March 31 each year), but the penalty will remain on your account.
How to Pay Your Part B Premium
Most people have their Part B premium deducted automatically from their Social Security check each month. If you do not receive Social Security, or if you want to pay a different way, you can pay by mail, phone, or online through Medicare.gov.
If you are on a Medicare Advantage plan, your plan sends you a separate bill for any plan premium. The Part B premium itself is still deducted from Social Security (or paid directly) unless you opt out.
If you cannot afford your Part B premium, you may be able to get help through Medicaid or the Medicare Savings Program, which is run by your state. These programs pay some or all of your Part B premium if your income and resources are low enough. Contact your state Medicaid office or call 1-800-MEDICARE to learn about you may have access to.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I reduce my Part B premium if my income dropped in 2024?
Yes, but only if you report a may have access to life event to Social Security within 60 days. Retirement, loss of income, or a major change in circumstances counts. You will need to file form SSA-44 and provide proof of the change. Social Security will then recalculate your premium using your 2024 income for the rest of the year.
What happens if I cannot pay my Part B premium?
Contact Medicare or your state Medicaid office right away. The Medicare Savings Program may pay your premium if your income is below the limit (which varies by state). You can also ask about a payment plan. If your premium goes unpaid for too long, your coverage may be suspended, though you can usually restart it by paying what you owe.
Does my Part B premium cover everything?
No. The premium covers the cost of the program, but you still pay a $240 deductible and 20 percent coinsurance for most services. Many people buy a Medigap policy to cover these costs, or they choose a Medicare Advantage plan instead. Neither is included in the Part B premium.
Will my premium go up again in 2026?
Likely yes, but the amount depends on inflation and changes to the Medicare program. The 2026 premium will be announced in the fall of 2025. Your 2026 premium will be based on your 2024 tax return, so if your income was higher in 2024 than 2023, your premium may increase.
What if I am still working at 65 — do I have to enroll in Part B?
Not when ready, if you are covered by your employer's health plan. You can delay Part B without penalty as long as you have creditable coverage through your job. When you retire or lose that coverage, you have eight months to enroll in Part B without owing a penalty. After that, the 10 percent permanent penalty applies for each year you were late.