The 2025 Medicare premiums at a glance

Medicare Part B (doctor visits and outpatient care) costs $185 per month for most people in 2025, up from $175 in 2024. Part D (prescription drugs) premiums vary by plan and range widely — there is no single monthly cost. Part A (hospital care) has no monthly premium for most people who paid Medicare taxes while working, but you pay a deductible when you enter the hospital.

These are the base amounts. Your actual premium may be higher if your income is above certain thresholds, or lower if you receive help paying premiums through Medicaid or other programs. The amounts change each year, usually announced in the fall for the following January.

Key Takeaways

  • Part B premiums are $185 monthly in 2025 for most people, but those earning over $97,000 (single) or $194,000 (married) pay more based on income brackets.
  • 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 includes a $1,676 deductible per hospital stay in 2025.
  • Medigap (supplemental insurance) premiums are set by insurance companies and are not part of the standard Medicare premium structure.
  • You can change your plan during the annual open enrollment period from October 15 to December 7 each year.

Part B premiums and income-related adjustments

The standard Part B premium of $185 per month applies if your modified adjusted gross income (MAGI) from two years prior falls below $97,000 for single filers or $194,000 for married couples filing jointly. If your income is higher, Medicare charges an additional amount called an Income-Related Monthly Adjustment Amount (IRMAA).

The income brackets for 2025 are based on your 2023 tax return. If your income was between $97,001 and $123,000 (single), you pay $259 monthly. The premium continues to increase in steps as income rises, reaching $560 per month for those with income over $500,000 (single) or $750,000 (married). You receive a notice in the mail if IRMAA applies to you, and you can appeal if your income has dropped since the tax year used for the calculation.

Part D prescription drug plan costs

Part D premiums depend entirely on which insurance company and plan you choose. In 2025, monthly premiums for standalone Part D plans range from $0 to over $100, depending on the drugs covered and the insurer. Plans with $0 premiums do exist but typically have higher copays or deductibles for medications.

You also pay an annual deductible (up to $545 in 2025), copays or coinsurance for each prescription, and potentially a coverage gap cost if your spending reaches certain thresholds. The best way to find the lowest-cost plan for your specific medications is to use the Medicare Plan Finder tool on Medicare.gov during open enrollment. Costs vary so widely that switching plans can save hundreds of dollars per year.

Part A hospital deductible and costs

Most people do not pay a monthly Part A premium because they or their spouse paid Medicare taxes for at least 10 years while working. However, Part A does have an annual deductible of $1,676 per hospital stay in 2025. This means you pay this amount out of pocket before Medicare begins to cover hospital costs.

If you are hospitalized for more than 60 days in a row, you also pay daily coinsurance amounts ($419 per day for days 61–90 in 2025). Skilled nursing facility care, home health services, and hospice have their own cost structures under Part A. If you did not work long enough to may have access to for premium-free Part A, you can buy it for $278 per month in 2025.

Medigap and Medicare Advantage plan costs

Medigap (supplemental insurance) and Medicare Advantage are optional plans that sit on top of or replace Original Medicare. Medigap premiums are set by private insurance companies and are not part of the standard Medicare premium — they typically range from $100 to $300+ per month depending on your age, location, and the plan letter (A through N). Medicare Advantage plans often have $0 premiums but include out-of-pocket maximums and network restrictions.

If you choose Medicare Advantage instead of Original Medicare, you still pay the Part B premium ($185 for most people), but the Advantage plan premium may be $0 or a small monthly amount. You do not pay Part D separately because prescription drug coverage is built into most Advantage plans. The trade-off is that you must use doctors and hospitals in the plan's network, except in emergencies.

When and how premiums are deducted

Part B and Part D premiums are usually deducted automatically from your Social Security check each month. If you do not receive Social Security, Medicare sends you a bill. Part A has no monthly premium for most people, so you only pay when you use hospital services and meet the deductible.

If you disagree with your premium amount or believe your income has changed, you can request a reconsideration. Contact Social Security at 1-800-772-1213 if the deduction is wrong, or call Medicare at 1-800-MEDICARE if you want to appeal an IRMAA information. Changes to your income or life circumstances (marriage, divorce, death of a spouse) may lower your premium in the current year if you report them promptly.

What to ask your doctor or Medicare counselor

Before the open enrollment period ends on December 7, ask your doctor which medications you will need in the coming year, so you can check them against Part D plan formularies. If you are turning 65 or newly may be able to access for Medicare, ask whether you should enroll in Part B and Part D right away — late enrollment penalties explore if you delay without a valid reason.

If your income is close to the IRMAA thresholds, ask a tax professional or Medicare counselor whether timing a large withdrawal or charitable donation could lower your adjusted gross income and reduce your premiums. State Health Insurance information Programs (SHIP) offer free counseling by phone or in person to help you understand your options and compare plans.

Frequently Asked Questions

Will my Part B premium go up every year?

Part B premiums usually increase each year, but the amount varies. The increase is tied to the Social Security cost-of-living adjustment (COLA). In 2025, the Part B premium rose $10 from 2024. Future increases depend on inflation and other factors Medicare uses to set rates.

Can I reduce my Medicare premiums if my income dropped?

Yes. If your income has fallen since the tax year used to calculate your IRMAA, you can request a reconsideration. Life events like retirement, divorce, or death of a spouse may have access to you to report a change. Contact Social Security or Medicare to file a request — you will need to provide proof of the income change.

What happens if I do not pay my Part B premium?

If your premium is not deducted from Social Security and you do not pay the bill, your Part B coverage can be terminated. You can restart it during the General Enrollment Period (January 1 to March 31), but you may owe back premiums and face a permanent 10% penalty on your premium for each year you were not enrolled.

Do I have to pay Part D premiums even if I do not take prescription drugs?

No, you only pay Part D premiums if you enroll in a Part D plan. However, if you do not enroll when you first become may be able to access and later decide you need coverage, you may owe a late enrollment penalty for each month you were without coverage. The penalty is added to your premium permanently.

How do I know if my income qualifies for IRMAA?

Medicare uses your Modified Adjusted Gross Income (MAGI) from your tax return from two years prior. In 2025, that is your 2023 return. If your MAGI is above $97,000 (single) or $194,000 (married filing jointly), you will receive a notice in the mail explaining your IRMAA amount. You can appeal if you believe the income figure is wrong or if your circumstances have changed.