The 2025 Medicare Part B Premium

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, lab work, and other medical services that Part A does not cover.

The premium amount changes each year. For 2024, it was $174.70 per month, so the 2025 increase is about $10 per month. The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) sets the premium based on the cost of providing Part B services to all beneficiaries.

However, your actual premium may be higher or lower than $185 depending on your income. If you earn above a certain threshold, you will pay an additional amount called an Income-Related Monthly Adjustment Amount (IRMAA). If you have limited income, you may pay less through state programs that help with premiums.

Key Takeaways

  • The standard Part B premium for 2025 is $185 per month, but your actual cost depends on your income level.
  • If your income exceeds $103,000 as a single filer or $206,000 as a married couple filing jointly, you will pay a higher premium through IRMAA.
  • Your premium is usually deducted automatically from your Social Security check each month.
  • State Medicaid programs and the Medicare Savings Program can help pay your Part B premium if your income is low enough.

How Income Affects Your Part B Premium

Medicare uses your income from two years prior to determine whether you pay extra. For 2025 premiums, Medicare looks at your 2023 tax return. If your income is above the threshold for your filing status, you will pay IRMAA on top of the standard $185 premium.

The income thresholds for 2025 are $103,000 for single filers and $206,000 for married couples filing jointly. There are also thresholds for married filing separately ($103,000) and head of household filers. If you fall into a higher income bracket, your additional premium can range from about $74 to $560 per month, depending on how much your income exceeds the threshold.

Your income for this calculation includes wages, interest, dividends, capital gains, and certain other sources. Social Security benefits are not counted as income for IRMAA purposes, but they are counted for other Medicare programs.

When Your Premium Deduction Starts

If you are already receiving Social Security, your Part B premium is deducted from your monthly benefit check. The deduction happens automatically — you do not need to send a separate payment.

If you are not yet on Social Security when you turn 65, Medicare will send you a bill for your Part B premium. You can pay by mail, phone, or online through the Medicare website. Once you start receiving Social Security, the deduction will move to your benefit check.

Your 2025 premium takes effect on January 1, 2025. If you enrolled in Part B for the first time in late 2024, your first premium payment will be due in January 2025.

Programs That Help Pay Your Part B Premium

If your income is low, you may not have to pay the full $185 premium. The Medicare Savings Program (MSP) helps people with limited income and resources pay Part B premiums, deductibles, and copayments. Each state runs its own MSP, and income limits vary by state.

To learn whether you may have access to for MSP in your state, contact your state Medicaid office or call 1-800-MEDICARE. You will need to provide proof of income and resources. Processing usually takes 30 to 45 days once you submit your process.

If you are also on Medicaid, your state may pay your Part B premium directly to Medicare. This is called Medicaid Buy-In in some states. You do not need to do anything — your state handles the payment.

What Happens If You Do Not Pay Your Premium

If you do not pay your Part B premium, Medicare will send you a notice and give you a grace period to pay. If you continue not to pay, Medicare can disenroll you from Part B. Once you are disenrolled, you cannot re-enroll unless you have a may have access to life event, such as losing employer coverage.

If you miss the important date to enroll in Part B when you first turn 65, you will face a permanent late enrollment penalty. This penalty is added to your premium for as long as you have Part B. The penalty is 10 percent of the standard premium for each 12-month period you were not enrolled.

If you are having trouble paying your premium, contact Medicare or your state Medicaid office right away. Many people do not know about programs that can help, and waiting until you are behind on payments makes the situation harder to fix.

How Part B Premium Compares to Other Medicare Costs

The Part B premium is only one of several costs you will pay for Medicare. Part A (hospital insurance) has no monthly premium for most people, but it has a deductible of $1,740 per hospital stay in 2025. Part B has a deductible of $240 per year, and you pay 20 percent of the cost of most services after you meet the deductible.

If you want coverage for prescription drugs, you need Part D, which has its own premium that varies by plan. If you want coverage for services Part A and B do not cover — such as dental, vision, or hearing — you can buy a Medigap policy or join a Medicare Advantage plan, both of which have additional costs.

Your total out-of-pocket cost for Medicare depends on which services you use and which additional coverage you choose. The Part B premium is a fixed cost you pay every month regardless of whether you see a doctor, but the other costs depend on your actual use of healthcare.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I lower my Part B premium if my income drops?

Yes. If your income drops significantly — such as from retirement, loss of a job, or a major life event — you can ask Medicare to recalculate your IRMAA. You will need to file a form called the Medicare Income-Related Monthly Adjustment Amount — Life-Changing Event (form SSA-44). Medicare will use your current year income instead of the prior year income to determine your premium.

What if I disagree with the income Medicare used to calculate my premium?

You can request a review of your IRMAA calculation. Contact Social Security at 1-800-772-1213 and ask to file an appeal. You will need to provide documentation of your actual income, such as a recent tax return or pay stubs. The appeal process usually takes 30 to 60 days.

Do I have to pay Part B premium if I am still working and have employer coverage?

No. If you are still working and covered by your employer's health plan, you can delay enrolling in Part B without penalty. You must enroll within eight months after your employment or coverage ends. If you do not, you will face a late enrollment penalty.

Will the Part B premium increase every year?

Yes. Medicare adjusts the Part B premium each year based on the projected cost of providing Part B services. The increase is usually announced in the fall for the following year. You can find the current premium on the Medicare website or by calling 1-800-MEDICARE.

Is the Part B premium tax-deductible?

No. Medicare premiums are not deductible as a medical expense on your federal income tax return. However, if you are self-employed and pay your own Part B premium, you may be able to deduct it as a self-employment health insurance cost.