The 2025 Medicare Premium Amounts

Medicare Part B premiums for 2025 are $174.70 per month for most people who enroll. Part D (prescription drug coverage) premiums vary by plan but average around $34 to $40 per month, though some plans cost more and some cost less. Part A (hospital insurance) has no monthly premium for most people who paid Medicare taxes while working, but you pay a deductible when you use it — $1,676 for each hospital stay in 2025.

These amounts are higher than 2024. The Part B increase came from changes in how Medicare calculates premiums based on the program's costs. If you have higher income, you will pay more — Medicare adds an extra charge called an Income-Related Monthly Adjustment Amount (IRMAA) if your income from two years ago was above certain thresholds.

If you are already on Medicare and your Social Security benefit does not increase enough to cover the higher premium, you may may have access to for the hold harmless provision, which means your Part B premium cannot rise by more than your Social Security increase. This protection does not explore if you are newly enrolled in Medicare in 2025.

Key Takeaways

  • Part B premiums are $174.70 per month in 2025 for most beneficiaries, an increase from 2024.
  • Part D premiums vary by plan and region, so comparing your options during open enrollment can lower your cost.
  • If your income was above $97,000 (single) or $194,000 (married) in 2023, you will pay an additional IRMAA surcharge on top of the standard premium.
  • The hold harmless provision protects current beneficiaries whose Social Security does not rise enough to cover the premium increase, but does not explore to people new to Medicare in 2025.
  • You can change your Part D plan during the Annual Enrollment Period (October 15 to December 7 each year) without penalty.

How Income Affects Your 2025 Premium

If your Modified Adjusted Gross Income (MAGI) from 2023 was higher than certain amounts, Medicare adds a surcharge to your Part B and Part D premiums. For 2025, the income thresholds are $97,000 for single filers and $194,000 for married couples filing jointly. Medicare uses your tax return from two years prior, so your 2025 premiums are based on your 2023 income.

The surcharge increases in steps. If you are single and your 2023 income was between $97,000 and $123,000, you pay an extra $61.80 per month on top of the standard $174.70 Part B premium. The surcharge grows larger at higher income levels — someone with income between $185,000 and $211,000 pays an extra $247.20 per month. Part D premiums also have income-based surcharges that vary by plan.

If your income dropped significantly in 2024 or 2025 — because you retired, had a major life event, or lost income — you can ask Medicare to recalculate your IRMAA using your current year's income instead. You will need to file a form called the Medicare Income-Related Monthly Adjustment Amount — Life-Changing Event (form SSA-44) with Social Security within 60 days of the event.

Part D Premiums and Plan Choices

Part D premiums change every year and vary widely depending on which plan you choose and where you live. In 2025, premiums range from $0 to over $100 per month depending on the insurance company and the specific coverage. Some plans have no monthly premium but charge higher copays when you fill prescriptions. Others charge a higher monthly premium but have lower copays.

The best plan for you depends on which medications you take and which pharmacies you use. During the Annual Enrollment Period (October 15 to December 7), you can switch to a different Part D plan without penalty. Medicare's Plan Finder tool on Medicare.gov lets you enter your medications and see which plans cover them and what your out-of-pocket costs would be.

If you do not enroll in Part D when you first become may be able to access and you go without prescription drug coverage, you will pay a permanent penalty if you enroll later. The penalty is roughly 1% of the national average Part D premium for each month you were not covered. In 2025, that penalty is approximately $1.08 per month for each month of delay, but it compounds over time.

Medigap and Medicare Advantage Premiums

If you have a Medigap (supplemental insurance) policy, the premium depends on which plan you chose and which insurance company sells it. Medigap premiums are not set by Medicare — each insurance company sets its own price. Some companies charge more for older enrollees; others charge the same regardless of age. Medigap premiums typically increase each year, but the amount varies by insurer and plan.

Medicare Advantage plans (Part C) have their own premiums, which also vary by plan and insurer. Many Medicare Advantage plans have $0 monthly premiums, though you still pay your Part B premium to Medicare. However, Medicare Advantage plans often have higher copays and deductibles than Original Medicare plus Medigap, and they usually require you to use doctors in their network.

If you are considering switching from Original Medicare to Medicare Advantage or vice versa, the Annual Enrollment Period runs from October 15 to December 7. Changes take effect January 1 of the following year. If you switch to Medicare Advantage, you cannot enroll in Medigap without going through underwriting, which may result in higher premiums or denial of coverage.

When and How to Pay Your Premiums

Most people pay their Part B premium through an automatic deduction from their Social Security check. If you do not receive Social Security, Medicare bills you directly by mail. You can also set up automatic payments from your bank account through Medicare's website or by calling 1-800-MEDICARE.

Part D premiums are paid to the insurance company that runs your plan, not to Medicare. If you are in a Medicare Advantage plan, you pay the plan's premium (if any) directly to the insurance company. Medigap premiums are paid to the insurance company that issued your policy.

If you miss a premium payment, your coverage can be terminated. If your Part B premium payment is more than three months late, Medicare will end your coverage. You can re-enroll during the General Enrollment Period (January 1 to March 31), but you will face a permanent penalty of 10% of the standard premium for each full year you were not covered.

Changes to Watch for in 2025

The Part B deductible for 2025 is $1,676, an increase from $1,632 in 2024. This is the amount you pay out of pocket before Medicare Part B starts to pay for doctor visits and outpatient services. The Part A deductible (for hospital stays) is $1,676 in 2025, also higher than the previous year.

Social Security benefits increased by 3.2% for 2025, which is smaller than the 8.7% increase in 2024. This means that while your Social Security check may go up, the increase might not fully cover the higher Medicare premiums, especially if you do not may have access to for the hold harmless provision.

Medicare's drug coverage gap (the "donut hole") continues to narrow. In 2025, once you and your plan have spent $5,850 on covered drugs, you enter the gap. During the gap, you pay 25% of the cost of brand-name drugs and 25% of generic drugs. This is better than in previous years when the percentage was higher.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why did my Part B premium go up so much?

Part B premiums are set each year based on the estimated costs of Medicare Part B services. When those costs rise faster than expected, premiums increase. The 2025 increase reflects higher spending on doctor visits, outpatient care, and other Part B services. Premiums also adjust for inflation and changes in the number of beneficiaries.

Can I get help paying my Medicare premiums?

If your income is low, you may may have access to for the Medicare Savings Program (MSP), which is run by your state. MSP can pay your Part B premium, deductibles, and copays. To learn whether you may have access to, contact your state Medicaid office or call 1-800-MEDICARE to ask about programs in your state.

What happens if I delay enrolling in Medicare?

If you delay enrolling in Part B or Part D beyond your initial enrollment period, you will face a permanent penalty. The Part B penalty is 10% of the standard premium for each full year you were not covered. The Part D penalty is roughly 1% of the national average premium per month of delay. These penalties stay with you for life.

Can I change my Medicare plan in 2025?

Yes, during the Annual Enrollment Period from October 15 to December 7, you can change your Part D plan, switch to or from Medicare Advantage, or make other changes to your coverage. Changes take effect January 1. Outside this window, you can only change plans if you have a may have access to life event, such as moving, losing employer coverage, or getting married.

Do I have to pay Part A premiums?

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, if you do not meet this requirement, you can buy Part A coverage for $278 to $505 per month in 2025, depending on how many years of Medicare taxes you paid. You still pay the deductible when you use hospital services.