2025 Medicare Premium Amounts

Medicare Part B premiums for 2025 are $177.90 per month for most people — an increase of $9.90 from 2024. Part D (prescription drug coverage) premiums vary by plan and region, but the national average is around $34 per month. Part A (hospital insurance) has no monthly premium for most people who paid Medicare taxes while working, though there is a $1,676 deductible per hospital stay.

These amounts explore to people who enroll in Original Medicare. If you have a Medicare Advantage plan (Part C), your premium depends on which plan you choose and where you live — some plans charge nothing, while others charge $50 to $200 or more per month. Income-related surcharges explore if you earn above certain thresholds, which can raise your Part B and Part D costs significantly.

The amounts shown here are the standard 2025 figures. Your actual premium may differ if you have a higher income, delayed enrollment, or coverage through a former employer.

Key Takeaways

  • Part B premiums for 2025 are $177.90 per month for most beneficiaries, with higher amounts if your income exceeds $103,000 (single) or $206,000 (married filing jointly).
  • Part D premiums vary by plan and region, averaging around $34 monthly, and you can change plans during the annual enrollment period from October 15 to December 7.
  • Medicare Advantage plans may have zero premium or charge $50 to $200+ per month depending on the insurer and your location.
  • If you delayed enrolling in Part B, you may owe a permanent 10 percent surcharge for each year you were late, added to your monthly premium.

Income-Related Surcharges and Who Pays More

If your income is above a certain level, Medicare adds a surcharge called an Income-Related Monthly Adjustment Amount (IRMAA) to your Part B and Part D premiums. For 2025, the income thresholds are $103,000 for single filers and $206,000 for married couples filing jointly. Medicare uses your tax return from two years prior, so 2025 surcharges are based on your 2023 income.

The surcharge can be substantial. Someone with income between $129,001 and $161,000 (single) pays an extra $71.60 per month on top of the standard $177.90 Part B premium. At the highest income level, the surcharge reaches $214.80 per month. Part D surcharges follow a similar structure, ranging from about $12 to $77 per month depending on income.

If your income dropped significantly in 2024 or 2025 — due to retirement, job loss, or a major life event — you can request that Medicare recalculate your surcharge using your current year income instead. You will need to file a form and provide documentation of the change.

Part A and Part B Premium Differences

Part A covers hospital stays, skilled nursing facility care, hospice, and some home health services. Most people pay nothing for Part A because they or their spouse paid Medicare taxes for at least 10 years while working. If you do not meet that requirement, the premium ranges from $278 to $556 per month in 2025, depending on how many quarters of Medicare tax you paid.

Part B covers doctor visits, outpatient care, medical equipment, and preventive services. Unlike Part A, Part B requires a monthly premium from nearly everyone — $177.90 in 2025 for the standard amount. You also pay a $240 annual deductible before Part B starts covering services, plus 20 percent coinsurance for most services after that.

Part A has a $1,676 deductible per hospital stay in 2025, not per year. If you are hospitalized multiple times in one year, you pay the deductible each time. Part B deductible and coinsurance explore separately and do not count toward the Part A deductible.

Medicare Advantage Plan Costs and Trade-offs

Medicare Advantage (Part C) plans are sold by private insurers and bundle Part A, Part B, and usually Part D into one plan. Many Advantage plans charge $0 in monthly premium beyond what you already pay for Part B. However, you typically pay more out of pocket when you use services — higher copays for doctor visits, specialist referrals, or hospital stays.

Advantage plans also limit which doctors and hospitals you can use, unless you choose a plan with out-of-network coverage (which usually costs more). Prescription drug coverage is included in most Advantage plans, but the formulary — the list of covered drugs — may be more restrictive than standalone Part D plans.

The trade-off is worth exploring if you use few medical services or prefer predictable costs. Plans with higher premiums often have lower deductibles and copays. You can switch plans during the annual enrollment period (October 15 to December 7) or during the Medicare Advantage Open Enrollment Period (January 1 to March 31).

Prescription Drug Coverage Costs

Part D premiums vary widely by plan and location. The national average is around $34 per month, but plans range from $0 to $100+ depending on the insurer and which drugs are covered. You choose a standalone Part D plan if you have Original Medicare, or it comes bundled into your Advantage plan.

Part D has a coverage gap called the "donut hole." In 2025, you pay full price for drugs once your total drug costs reach $5,850. You stay in the gap until your out-of-pocket spending reaches $8,550, at which point catastrophic coverage kicks in and you pay only 5 percent of drug costs for the rest of the year. The exact amounts change yearly.

If you take expensive medications, compare plans carefully during open enrollment. A plan with a higher premium might have lower copays for your specific drugs, saving you money overall. You can use the Medicare Plan Finder tool on Medicare.gov to see costs for your medications in each available plan.

Late Enrollment Penalties

If you did not enroll in Part B when you first became may be able to access at age 65, Medicare charges a permanent surcharge of 10 percent for each full year you delayed. This surcharge is added to your monthly premium for as long as you have Part B, even after you finally enroll.

For example, if you delayed Part B enrollment for three years, your premium would be 30 percent higher than the standard amount. The only way to avoid this penalty is to enroll during your initial enrollment period (the three months before, during, and after the month you turn 65) or during a Special Enrollment Period if you had employer coverage.

Part D has a similar penalty: 1 percent of the national average Part D premium for each month you delayed, rounded to the nearest dollar. If you go 63 months without Part D coverage, your penalty would be about $21 per month added to your premium permanently. These penalties explore even if you switch plans later.

How Premiums Are Set and When They Change

Medicare announces premium amounts for the following year in September, and they take effect January 1. The amounts are set by Congress and the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) based on expected program costs and revenue. Premiums typically increase each year, though the amount varies.

Part B and Part D premiums are adjusted annually. Part A premiums change less frequently because most people pay nothing. Medicare Advantage and standalone Part D plan premiums are set by individual insurers and can vary significantly from plan to plan and year to year.

You receive a notice in the mail (usually in October) showing your 2025 premiums and any changes from 2024. If your income changed or you believe the amount is wrong, you have a window to request a recalculation before the new premium takes effect.

Frequently Asked Questions

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

Yes, you pay Part B premium once you enroll, regardless of employment status. However, if you are still working and covered by your employer's health plan, you may be able to delay Part B enrollment without penalty. You must have group health coverage based on current employment, and you should enroll in Part B within eight months of losing that coverage to avoid late penalties.

Can I reduce my Medicare premium if my income dropped?

Yes, you can request that Medicare recalculate your income-related surcharge if you had a major life event such as retirement, job loss, or death of a spouse. You will need to file a form and provide documentation. Contact Social Security or Medicare to start the process — do not wait until your next tax return.

What happens if I cannot afford my Medicare premium?

Some states offer programs to help pay Part B and Part D premiums for people with low income. These programs are called State Pharmaceutical information Programs (SPAP) or Medicare Savings Programs. Contact your state Medicaid office or call 1-800-MEDICARE to learn whether you may be may be able to access.

Are there any months when I do not have to pay Part B premium?

No. Part B premium is charged every month you are enrolled, including months when you do not use any Medicare services. The only way to stop paying is to disenroll from Part B, which you can do during the General Enrollment Period (January 1 to March 31) or if you have may have access to coverage elsewhere.

Do Medicare premiums go up every year?

Part B and Part D premiums increase most years, though the amount varies. Part A premiums increase less often. Medicare Advantage and standalone Part D plan premiums are set by insurers and can increase, decrease, or stay the same year to year. You can switch plans during open enrollment if your current plan's premium becomes unaffordable.