Medicare Part B — covering outpatient services, physician visits, preventive care, and durable medical equipment — underwent significant cost changes for 2026. The standard monthly premium increased from $185.00 in 2025 to $202.90 in 2026, an increase of $17.90 per month, according to the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) announcement in November 2025. The annual deductible also increased from $257 to $283.
For the more than 67 million Americans enrolled in Medicare, these changes directly affect household budgets and require careful planning. This guide provides a complete, accurate explanation of all Medicare Part B cost changes for 2026, who pays what based on income, what Part B covers, and what steps beneficiaries should take.
Disclaimer: This article provides educational information based on official CMS data. Individual Medicare costs may differ based on income, enrollment date, and other factors. For personalized benefit information, visit medicare.gov or call 1-800-MEDICARE (1-800-633-4227).
Medicare Part B 2026: The Key Numbers at a Glance
| Part B Cost Item | 2025 Amount | 2026 Amount | Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| Standard monthly premium | $185.00 | $202.90 | +$17.90/month |
| Annual deductible | $257 | $283 | +$26/year |
| Coinsurance (after deductible) | 20% of approved amount | 20% of approved amount | No change |
Why Did Medicare Part B Premiums Increase?
Medicare Part B premiums are reset each year based on projected program costs. The 2026 increase reflects higher utilization of outpatient services, increased spending on physician-administered drugs (particularly cancer therapies and specialty medications covered under Part B), and ongoing actuarial adjustments to maintain the program’s financial stability.
The $17.90 monthly increase represents a 9.7 percent rise from 2025 — notably larger than the 2.8 percent Social Security COLA for 2026. For many Medicare beneficiaries who receive Social Security, the net benefit of the COLA is reduced: on an average benefit of $1,927/month, the $54 COLA gain is partially offset by the $17.90 Part B increase, leaving a net gain of approximately $36/month.
What Medicare Part B Covers
Medically Necessary Services
Medicare Part B covers doctor visits (primary care and specialists), outpatient hospital care, clinical laboratory tests, X-rays and imaging, ambulance services, mental health services, and physical and occupational therapy. Part B also covers some home health services and durable medical equipment such as wheelchairs, walkers, and oxygen equipment.
Preventive Services at No Cost
One of the most valuable and underutilized aspects of Medicare Part B is its comprehensive coverage of preventive services at zero cost-sharing — no deductible and no coinsurance — when received from participating providers. Covered preventive services include: Annual Wellness Visit (AWV), cardiovascular disease screening, colorectal cancer screening (colonoscopy), diabetes screening, mammography, cervical cancer screening, bone density screening, lung cancer screening (for eligible current or former smokers), and depression screening. Many beneficiaries are unaware of the Annual Wellness Visit, which provides an individualized prevention plan at no cost.
Medicare Part B and Drug Coverage
Medicare Part B covers certain drugs administered in a physician’s office or outpatient setting by a healthcare provider — distinct from Medicare Part D, which covers self-administered prescription drugs. Part B drug coverage is particularly relevant for cancer patients receiving chemotherapy, patients receiving infused specialty medications, and patients receiving equipment-delivered medications (such as nebulizer drugs). Physician-administered Part B drugs are subject to the Part B deductible and 20 percent coinsurance — without a cap on out-of-pocket costs under Original Medicare (a gap that Medicare Supplement policies address).
IRMAA: Income-Related Premium Surcharges for 2026
Beneficiaries with higher incomes pay Income-Related Monthly Adjustment Amounts (IRMAA) surcharges on top of the standard Part B premium. IRMAA brackets for 2026 are based on 2024 Modified Adjusted Gross Income (MAGI). If your income has decreased since 2024 due to retirement, divorce, or loss of a spouse, you can request an IRMAA recalculation using IRS Form SSA-44.
| 2024 MAGI (Individual) | 2024 MAGI (Joint) | 2026 Part B Monthly Premium |
|---|---|---|
| $106,000 or below | $212,000 or below | $202.90 (standard) |
| $106,001 – $133,000 | $212,001 – $266,000 | $285.00 |
| $133,001 – $167,000 | $266,001 – $334,000 | $367.10 |
| $167,001 – $200,000 | $334,001 – $400,000 | $449.20 |
| $200,001 – $500,000 | $400,001 – $750,000 | $572.90 |
| Above $500,000 | Above $750,000 | $596.90 |
Medicare Savings Programs: Help Paying Part B Premiums
For Medicare beneficiaries with limited income and resources, Medicare Savings Programs (MSPs) — administered by state Medicaid agencies — can pay some or all Medicare cost-sharing amounts, including the Part B premium. There are four MSP levels:
- Qualified Medicare Beneficiary (QMB): Pays Part A and Part B premiums, deductibles, and coinsurance. Income limit approximately $1,275/month individual (2026).
- Specified Low-Income Medicare Beneficiary (SLMB): Pays Part B premium only. Income limit approximately $1,526/month individual.
- Qualifying Individual (QI): Pays Part B premium only. Income limit approximately $1,715/month individual. First-come, first-served funding.
- Qualified Disabled Working Individual (QDWI): Pays Part A premium for certain disabled workers. Income limit approximately $5,105/month individual.
To apply for an MSP, contact your state Medicaid office or call 1-800-MEDICARE. QMB recipients have federal protections prohibiting providers from billing them for cost-sharing amounts.
How to Minimize Part B Costs: Avoiding the Late Enrollment Penalty
Avoiding the Part B late enrollment penalty is one of the most important Medicare decisions. If you do not sign up for Part B when first eligible and do not have employer-sponsored coverage qualifying as primary insurance, you will pay a permanent 10 percent late enrollment penalty for each 12-month period you were eligible but not enrolled. On a $202.90 premium, a two-year delay creates a permanent $40.58 per month surcharge.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the $202.90 Part B premium automatically deducted from Social Security?
Yes, for most beneficiaries. If you receive Social Security benefits, your Medicare Part B premium is automatically deducted from your monthly payment. If you have Medicare but are not yet receiving Social Security, you will receive a quarterly bill from Medicare.
Does Medicare Part B cover vision, dental, and hearing?
Original Medicare Part B does not cover routine vision exams, eyeglasses, dental care, or hearing aids. Medically necessary eye exams for conditions like glaucoma or diabetic retinopathy are covered, as are certain medically necessary dental services related to other covered procedures. Many Medicare Advantage plans include these supplemental benefits — compare plans at medicare.gov/find-a-plan.
What does the Part B deductible reset mean in 2026?
The Part B deductible ($283 in 2026) resets to zero on January 1 each year. Once met, Medicare typically pays 80 percent of approved costs and you pay 20 percent coinsurance. Medicare Supplement (Medigap) policies can cover part or all of the deductible and coinsurance.
Sources
- Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services — cms.gov — 2026 Medicare Part B premium and deductible announcement, November 2025. Available at: https://www.cms.gov/newsroom/fact-sheets/2026-medicare-parts-b-premiums-and-deductibles
- Medicare.gov — medicare.gov — Part B coverage details and preventive services. Available at: https://www.medicare.gov/what-medicare-covers/whats-covered-part-b
- Social Security Administration — ssa.gov — IRMAA and Medicare premium deduction information. Available at: https://www.ssa.gov/medicare/
- Medicare Rights Center — medicarerights.org — Medicare Savings Program guidance. Available at: https://www.medicarerights.org/medicare-watch/2025/11/15/medicare-savings-programs
