2025 Medicare Premium Amounts

Medicare Part B premiums for 2025 start at $185 per month for most people who enroll. Part D (prescription drug coverage) premiums vary by plan but average around $34 to $40 monthly, though some plans cost more or less. Part A (hospital insurance) has no monthly premium for most people, but you pay a deductible when you use it. If you have a Medigap supplemental policy, that premium depends entirely on the plan you choose and your insurance company.

The Part B amount you actually pay may be higher if your income was above a certain level two years ago. Medicare uses your tax return from 2023 to set your 2025 premiums, so higher earners pay what is called an Income-Related Monthly Adjustment Amount (IRMAA) on top of the base premium. This can range from an extra $65 to $560 per month depending on your income bracket.

Part A has a deductible of $1,676 per benefit period in 2025 if you need hospital care. You do not pay this upfront — it applies only when you are admitted. If you did not pay Medicare taxes for 10 years or more while working, you may have a Part A premium instead of being premium-free; that premium can be $278 to $556 per month depending on your work history.

Key Takeaways

  • Part B premiums start at $185 monthly in 2025, but higher earners pay more based on 2023 income reported to the IRS.
  • Part D prescription drug premiums vary by plan and insurance company, so comparing plans during open enrollment can lower your cost.
  • Part A has no monthly premium for most people but carries a $1,676 hospital deductible per benefit period.
  • Your actual premium depends on when you enrolled, your income level, and which coverage types you chose.

How Income Affects Your Part B Premium

If your Modified Adjusted Gross Income (MAGI) from your 2023 tax return exceeded $97,000 (single) or $194,000 (married filing jointly), you will pay more than the base Part B premium. Medicare looks at your tax return automatically — you do not need to report it again. The extra amount, called IRMAA, is added to your Part B bill each month.

The income brackets for 2025 are set by law and increase each year. A single person earning $97,001 to $121,000 pays an extra $65 per month. The brackets go up from there, with the highest earners paying an extra $560 per month on top of the base $185. If you are married filing jointly, your combined income determines the bracket, and both spouses pay the same IRMAA amount.

You can request a review if your income dropped significantly in 2024 — for example, due to retirement, a job loss, or a death in the family. You will need to file a form called the Medicare Income-Related Monthly Adjustment Amount — Life-Changing Event (form SSA-44) with Social Security. They will use your current-year income instead of the prior year's tax return if the change qualifies.

Part D Prescription Drug Coverage Costs

Part D premiums are set by each insurance company and vary widely depending on which drugs are on the plan's formulary and how the plan structures its costs. The national average hovers around $34 to $40 per month, but some plans cost $10 and others cost $100 or more. The only way to know what you will pay is to look at the actual plans available in your area during the annual open enrollment period.

Beyond the monthly premium, you also pay a deductible (usually $0 to $550 in 2025), a copay or coinsurance when you fill a prescription, and potentially more once you hit the coverage gap. The coverage gap, sometimes called the "donut hole," is a range of drug costs where you pay a larger share. Once your total out-of-pocket spending reaches $8,850 in 2025, catastrophic coverage kicks in and your costs drop sharply.

If your income is low, you may be able to get Extra Help (also called the Low-Income Subsidy program) to reduce your Part D premium and out-of-pocket costs. You can check whether you may have access to through Medicare.gov or by calling Social Security at 1-800-772-1213. Extra Help can cut your premium to as little as $0 and reduce your deductible and copays significantly.

Medigap and Medicare Advantage Premium Variations

If you have a Medigap (supplemental insurance) policy, that premium is separate from your Medicare premiums and is set by the insurance company you choose. Medigap plans are standardized by the government — Plan G covers the same things no matter which company sells it — but the price varies. One company's Plan G might cost $120 per month while another charges $180 for the identical coverage. Shopping around and comparing quotes is worth the time.

Medigap premiums also depend on your age and, in some states, your health status. If you enroll within six months of turning 65 and signing up for Part B, you have a may provide right to buy any Medigap plan without being turned down or charged more due to pre-existing conditions. If you wait longer, some companies can deny you or charge you more.

If you chose Medicare Advantage (Part C) instead of Original Medicare, you still pay your Part B premium to Medicare, but your Advantage plan premium is set by the insurance company. Many Advantage plans have $0 monthly premiums, though you will pay copays and coinsurance when you use care. Some Advantage plans also include Part D prescription coverage bundled in, while others do not.

When and How Premiums Are Deducted

If you receive Social Security, your Medicare Part B and Part D premiums are automatically deducted from your monthly benefit. You will see the amount taken out on your Social Security statement each month. If you do not receive Social Security, Medicare sends you a bill, usually quarterly, and you pay by check, online, or automatic bank transfer.

Your premium amount can change from month to month if your IRMAA changes, if you switch plans during open enrollment, or if you gain or lose Extra Help. Always check your Medicare Summary Notice (the bill you receive) to confirm the amount being deducted. If the amount seems wrong, contact Medicare at 1-800-MEDICARE to ask why.

If you enroll late — for example, if you did not sign up for Part B when you first became may be able to access at 65 — you will pay a permanent penalty on top of your regular premium. The penalty is 10 percent of the base Part B premium for each full year you delayed, and it stays with you for life. The same applies to Part D: late enrollment penalties are added to your premium permanently.

Comparing Plans During Open Enrollment

Every year from October 15 to December 7, you can change your Medicare coverage for the following year. This is called the Annual Enrollment Period (AEP). During this window, you can switch from Original Medicare to Medicare Advantage, drop Advantage and go back to Original Medicare, change your Part D plan, or add or drop a Medigap policy.

Use the Medicare Plan Finder tool on Medicare.gov to see which plans are available in your zip code and what they will cost you based on your specific drugs and doctors. Enter your prescriptions, and the tool will show you the total estimated cost (premium plus out-of-pocket) for each plan. This is the fastest way to find the lowest-cost option for your situation.

If you are on a tight budget, also check whether you may have access to for Medicare Savings Programs (state programs that help pay your Part B premium and deductibles) or Extra Help for Part D. may be able to access and benefit amounts vary by state, but these programs can save you hundreds of dollars per year. You can learn more through your state Medicaid office or by calling 1-800-MEDICARE.

Frequently Asked Questions

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

Part B premiums are set each year based on the cost of Medicare services, not the general cost of living. If hospital and doctor costs rise faster than inflation, your premium rises faster too. Additionally, if your income increased since 2023, your IRMAA may have gone up, raising your total premium.

Can I get my Part B premium back if I don't use Medicare?

No. Once you enroll in Part B, you pay the premium whether you use it or not. If you do not need coverage, you can drop Part B, but you will face a permanent penalty if you want to re-enroll later. The only exception is if you are still working and have employer health insurance; you may be able to delay Part B enrollment without penalty.

What happens if I can't afford my Medicare premiums?

Contact Medicare at 1-800-MEDICARE to ask about Medicare Savings Programs and Extra Help. You can also request a review of your IRMAA if your income dropped. Some nonprofits and community health centers also offer financial information or can help you find programs you may may have access to for.

Do I pay the same Part B premium as everyone else my age?

No. Your Part B premium depends on your income, not your age. Two people who are the same age pay different amounts if their incomes are different. The base premium is the same for everyone, but IRMAA adds to it based on your individual tax return.

Can my Medigap premium go up just because I got older?

It depends on how your insurance company prices Medigap plans. Some use "community rating" (everyone pays the same regardless of age), while others use "age rating" (premiums increase as you age). Your state law determines which method is allowed. Check your policy documents or call your insurance company to see which method applies to you.