The 2025 Medicare Premium Amounts

Medicare Part A (hospital insurance) has no monthly premium for most people in 2025 because they or their spouse paid Medicare taxes while working. If you did not pay those taxes for at least 30 quarters, you will pay a premium — either $278 or $505 per month depending on how many quarters you did pay. Most people do not fall into this group.

Medicare Part B (medical insurance) costs $189.10 per month in 2025 for most people. Part D (prescription drug coverage) varies by plan and insurance company, typically ranging from $7 to $100 per month, though some plans cost more. Part B and Part D premiums are deducted from your Social Security check each month, or you receive a bill if you do not yet collect Social Security.

If you have a Medigap or Medicare Advantage plan instead of Original Medicare, your costs work differently. Medigap plans charge their own premiums (usually $100 to $300 per month, varying by plan and insurer), and Medicare Advantage plans often charge $0 to $50 per month but have copays and deductibles when you use care.

Key Takeaways

  • Part A has no premium for most people; Part B costs $189.10 per month in 2025 unless your income is high enough to trigger an extra charge.
  • Part D premiums vary by plan and company, so comparing plans each year can lower what you pay for prescriptions.
  • If your income is above $97,000 (single) or $194,000 (married), you will pay a higher Part B or Part D premium called an Income-Related Monthly Adjustment Amount (IRMAA).
  • Premiums are usually taken directly from your Social Security payment, so you do not have to remember to pay them separately.
  • You can change your Part D plan or switch to Medicare Advantage during the annual enrollment period in October and November each year.

Income-Related Premium Increases (IRMAA)

If your income exceeds certain thresholds, Medicare charges you more for Part B and Part D. This extra charge is called an Income-Related Monthly Adjustment Amount, or IRMAA. For 2025, the thresholds are $97,000 for single filers and $194,000 for married couples filing jointly. Income is measured using your tax return from two years prior — so your 2025 premiums are based on your 2023 income.

The IRMAA increases in steps. If your income is between $97,000 and $123,000 (single), you pay an extra $67.40 per month for Part B. At higher income levels, the extra charge climbs to as much as $268.60 per month. Part D has its own IRMAA scale, starting at $12.70 extra per month and reaching $77.10 at the highest income level.

You can request that Medicare recalculate your IRMAA if your income dropped significantly in 2024 — for example, because you retired or had a major life change. You must file a form called the Medicare Income-Related Monthly Adjustment Amount — Life-Changing Event, available on Medicare.gov or by calling 1-800-MEDICARE.

How Part B Premiums Are Paid

If you receive Social Security, Medicare automatically deducts your Part B premium from your monthly check. The standard premium for 2025 is $189.10, but the amount you actually see deducted depends on whether you have an IRMAA and which plan you chose.

If you do not yet receive Social Security, you will get a bill from Medicare each month. You can pay by mail, phone, or online through your Medicare account at Medicare.gov. If you miss a payment, Medicare will send you a notice and may suspend your coverage, so paying on time matters.

When you first turn 65 and sign up for Medicare, you have a seven-month window called the Initial Enrollment Period. If you delay signing up for Part B without a valid reason (such as employer coverage), you will pay a permanent 10% penalty on your premium for each year you were late. That penalty stays with you for life, so signing up on time is important.

Part D Prescription Drug Plan Premiums

Part D premiums change every year and differ from plan to plan. In 2025, premiums range widely depending on which insurance company offers the plan and which drugs it covers. Some plans cost $7 per month; others cost $100 or more. You receive a notice each fall showing the premium for your current plan in the coming year.

You can switch to a different Part D plan during the Annual Enrollment Period, which runs from October 15 to December 7 each year. Switching plans is free and can save you money if a cheaper plan covers your medications. Use the Medicare Plan Finder tool on Medicare.gov to compare plans side by side — it shows the total cost (premium plus copays) for your specific drugs.

If you go without Part D coverage when you are first may be able to access, you will pay a penalty when you do sign up. The penalty is 1% of the national average Part D premium for each month you were uninsured, and it is added to your premium permanently. If you have other drug coverage (such as from an employer or union), you may not owe this penalty.

Medicare Advantage Plan Costs

Medicare Advantage (Part C) is an alternative to Original Medicare. Many Medicare Advantage plans charge $0 per month in premiums, though you still pay your Part B premium to Medicare. However, $0 premium does not mean $0 cost — you will pay copays when you see a doctor, visit urgent care, or fill a prescription.

Medicare Advantage plans also have an out-of-pocket maximum, which is the most you will pay in a year for covered services. In 2025, that maximum is $8,300 for in-network care. Once you hit that limit, the plan pays 100% of covered services for the rest of the year. Original Medicare does not have an out-of-pocket maximum, which is why some people prefer it.

If you choose a Medicare Advantage plan, you must use doctors and hospitals in the plan's network (except in emergencies). You also need a referral from your primary care doctor to see a specialist. These restrictions do not explore to Original Medicare, where you can see any doctor who accepts Medicare.

Medigap (Supplemental Insurance) Premiums

Medigap plans help pay the costs that Original Medicare does not cover — copays, coinsurance, and deductibles. Medigap premiums are separate from Medicare premiums and are paid directly to the insurance company, not to Medicare. In 2025, premiums typically range from $100 to $300 per month, though some plans cost more, and prices vary significantly by location and insurer.

Medigap premiums are based on your age and the plan you choose, not your income. Younger people pay less than older people for the same plan. Some states allow insurers to use a pricing method called "community rating," where everyone pays the same price regardless of age; other states allow "age-rated" pricing, where premiums rise with age.

You have the best chance to buy Medigap at the lowest price during your Medigap Open Enrollment Period, which is six months starting the month you turn 65 and enroll in Medicare Part B. After that window closes, insurers can charge you more or deny you coverage based on your health. If you miss this window, you may pay higher premiums for the rest of your life.

When and How Premiums Change

Medicare Part B and Part D premiums are set each year by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) and announced in the fall. You receive a notice called the "Important Notice About Your Medicare Premiums" in September or October showing what you will pay in the coming year. Read this notice carefully — it tells you the exact premium amount and when it takes effect.

If your premium increases and you disagree with the amount, you have 30 days from the date of the notice to request a review. You can also request a review if your IRMAA was calculated incorrectly. Contact Medicare at 1-800-MEDICARE or visit Medicare.gov to file an appeal.

Medigap and Medicare Advantage premiums can change at any time during the year, though most insurers change them once per year. Your insurance company will notify you of any increase at least 30 days in advance. You can switch plans during the Annual Enrollment Period to find a lower-cost option.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I have to pay Part A premium if I worked for the government?

Government employees who did not pay Medicare taxes may not owe a Part A premium, but they usually must pay a higher Part B premium instead. The rules are complex and depend on when you worked and what type of government job you had. Contact Medicare at 1-800-MEDICARE to find out what applies to you.

What happens if I cannot afford my Medicare premiums?

If your income is low, you may may have access to for Medicaid or the Medicare Savings Program, which helps pay Part B and Part D premiums. Contact your state Medicaid office or local Area Agency on Aging to learn whether you may have access to. You can also ask Medicare about payment plans if you fall behind.

Can I change my mind about Medicare Advantage and go back to Original Medicare?

Yes, but only during the Annual Enrollment Period (October 15 to December 7) or if you have a may have access to life event such as moving out of your plan's service area. If you switch back to Original Medicare, you can also buy a Medigap plan during your Medigap Open Enrollment Period, which is 63 days starting the day your Medicare Advantage coverage ends.

Why did my Part B premium go up more than the cost of living?

Part B premiums are set based on the cost of medical services, not the general cost of living. If medical costs rise faster than inflation, Part B premiums rise faster too. Additionally, if your income increased since two years ago, your IRMAA may have increased, raising your actual premium payment.

Do I pay premiums if I am still working and have employer health insurance?

Yes, you still pay Medicare premiums even if you have employer coverage. However, you may be able to delay signing up for Part B without penalty if your employer plan is large group coverage (50 or more employees). You must notify Medicare that you have employer coverage when you sign up to avoid paying the late enrollment penalty.