On November 14, 2025, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) announced the 2026 Medicare Part B premium and deductible. The 2026 Medicare Part B premium will increase by 9.7% from 2025’s $185.00, bringing the standard monthly premium to $202.90.
Wondering what Medicare Part B covers? Read “What Does Medicare Part B Cover & When to Enroll.”
The 2026 standard monthly Medicare Part B premium is $202.90. This is an increase of $17.90 per month compared to 2025’s $185.00 premium.
For individuals, this comes out to an annual increase of $214.80 per person. For couples both enrolled in Medicare Part B, the yearly increase would be $429.60.
The 2026 Medicare Part B premium will rise by 9.7%, nearly 10%, a larger jump than the roughly 6% increase seen the year before, when the monthly cost moved from $174.70 in 2024 to $185.00 in 2025.
CMS explains that this year’s increase would have been about $11 higher if the Trump Administration hadn’t intervened to curb unusually high spending on skin substitute products. Skin substitute products, such as Apligraf, Dermagraft, Oasis, and Integra, are advanced wound-care dressings used to help heal chronic or slow-healing wounds. Because of policy changes finalized in the 2026 Physician Fee Schedule, Medicare now expects spending on these products to fall by around 90%, with no anticipated impact on patients’ access to care.
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Local, licensed insurance agents with 25+ years of experienceThe higher 2026 Part B premium and deductible are mainly due to rising medical costs and more people using Part B services. CMS expects increased demand for care, more beneficiaries enrolling in Part B, and higher expenses for both hospital and outpatient services, all of which contribute to the overall premium increase.
Some Medicare beneficiaries pay more than the standard Part B premium because of their income. According to the Social Security Administration (SSA), individuals with higher Modified Adjusted Gross Income (MAGI) must pay an additional charge, known as the Income-Related Monthly Adjustment Amount (IRMAA), in addition to the standard premium.
For 2026, Medicare will review your 2024 IRS tax return to determine whether IRMAA applies and which income bracket you fall into. SSA also notes that these income thresholds are adjusted each year to keep pace with inflation.
According to CMS, the 2026 Part B total premiums for high-income beneficiaries with full Part B coverage are shown in the table below:
Note: If you receive Social Security, Railroad Retirement Board, or Office of Personnel Management benefits, the Part B premium can be automatically deducted from your benefit payment. You’ll receive a monthly or quarterly premium invoice if you don’t receive these benefits.
If your 2026 IRMAA amount is higher than expected, you may be able to request a lower premium. Social Security allows you to appeal IRMAA when:
To appeal, complete Form SSA-44 (Medicare Income-Related Monthly Adjustment Amount – Life-Changing Event) and submit it to the Social Security Administration. Appealing IRMAA can significantly lower what you pay each month, especially after retirement or another major income change.
The Part B deductible is the amount you must pay out-of-pocket each year before Original Medicare begins sharing costs on your doctor visits, outpatient services, durable medical equipment, and other covered care. It resets annually and changes each year.
Once you’re enrolled in Medicare Part B, you must meet your deductible before Medicare starts its 80% cost-sharing. Most services covered under Part B count toward the annual deductible.
For 2026, the annual deductible is set at $283, an increase of $26 from the 2025 level of $257. According to CMS, this increase of approximately 10.1% is slightly higher than the year-earlier rise. In 2025, the deductible increased from $240 in 2024 to $257, a 7% increase.
Because both the premium and deductible tend to rise in similar proportions each year, this steeper deductible increase means beneficiaries may face higher overall costs going into 2026.
After your deductible is met ($283 for 2026), you pay 20% coinsurance for Medicare-approved doctor services, outpatient therapies, and Durable Medical Equipment (DME).
Original Medicare does not have a maximum on these out-of-pocket expenses. This is why most Medicare enrollees have either Medicare Supplemental insurance plus their Medicare Part D prescription drug coverage or choose to enroll in a Medicare Advantage Prescription Drug Plan, which covers all of these needs.
Because Medicare Part B has no out-of-pocket maximum, your 20% coinsurance can add up quickly, especially for frequent doctor visits, imaging, outpatient treatments, or medical equipment.
This is a major reason many people choose either a Medicare Supplement (Medigap) plan to help cover the 20%, or a Medicare Advantage plan, which caps your annual out-of-pocket costs.
Review the table below to learn what coinsurance and copayments are typical to pay under the Medicare Part B deductible 2026.
The table below outlines the standard coinsurance percentages and copayment rules for Medicare Part B-covered services in 2026, as published by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) and Medicare.gov. These costs apply once the annual Part B deductible of $283 has been met and are specific to Original Medicare (they do not apply to Medicare Advantage plans).
How could a Medicare Advantage or Medicare Supplement plan help reduce your out-of-pocket costs? Speak with a local licensed agent. Call (623) 223-8884 to explore your plan options.
Agent tip:
“Review your 2026 Medicare costs early, especially if your income is close to an IRMAA bracket. Many people can lower their costs by appealing IRMAA after a life-changing event or by comparing Medicare Advantage and Medicare Supplement plans. A quick call with a licensed insurance agent can help you avoid unexpected expenses.”
There are several strategies to help manage Medicare Part B costs:
If you have limited income or resources, you may qualify for a Medicare Savings Program (MSP). These state-run programs can help pay some, or even all, of your Medicare Part B costs.
Here are the three most common Medicare Savings Programs:
If you think you may qualify, a licensed Medicare insurance agent can help you check eligibility and apply through your state’s Medicaid office.
Some Medicare Advantage plans offer a Part B premium reduction, commonly called a give-back benefit. If you enroll in one of these plans, your Social Security check may increase because the plan pays part (or sometimes all) of your Part B premium on your behalf.
Give-back benefits vary by ZIP code and plan type, so availability varies by where you live. A licensed insurance agent can help you compare 2026 plans to see whether a give-back option is offered in your county.
The cost of Medicare Part B is rising again in 2026, with both the premium and deductible seeing some of the most significant increases in recent years. The standard 2026 Medicare Part B monthly premium is now $202.90, and the annual 2026 Medicare Part B deductible is $283.00. These changes reflect higher healthcare use, growing enrollment, and general cost increases across outpatient and physician services.
Because Original Medicare does not cap your out-of-pocket costs, it’s more important than ever to review your coverage, compare plan options, and make sure your benefits still match your health and budget needs for 2026. Call (623) 223-8884 today for your no-cost, no-obligation Medicare review.
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Most people will pay the standard premium of $202.90, but your cost may be higher if your 2024 income exceeds the IRMAA thresholds. People with lower incomes may qualify for Medicare Savings Programs that help pay some or all of the premium. This premium is separate from any Part A premium a beneficiary may owe based on their work history.
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) reports that the increase is driven by higher use of outpatient services, rising healthcare prices, and more people enrolling in Medicare. CMS also notes that without new cost controls on skin substitute products, advanced wound-care dressings such as Apligraf, Dermagraft, Oasis, and Integra used to treat chronic or slow-healing wounds, premiums would have risen an additional $11 per month. These cost pressures impact Medicare beneficiaries across Parts A, B, and D, including Medicare Part D beneficiaries who may also experience higher prescription drug costs.
The new $283 deductible starts January 1, 2026. You must meet this deductible before Medicare Part B begins paying its share of most outpatient and doctor services. This deductible operates differently from Medicare Part A’s benefit period, which determines inpatient hospital and skilled nursing facility costs.
No. Original Medicare, which includes Part A and Part B, does not cap your out-of-pocket expenses. After meeting your deductible, you continue to pay 20% coinsurance for most services with no yearly limit. This is why many beneficiaries add a Medicare Supplement (Medigap) or Medicare Advantage plan to help manage unpredictable costs.
Yes. During the Medicare Annual Enrollment Period (October 15–December 7), you can compare Medicare Advantage and Part D plans, switch plans, or return to Original Medicare. If your out-of-pocket costs or provider needs have changed, this is the best time to review your options with a licensed insurance agent.
Read more by Renee van Staveren
Since 2009, I've been writing about complicated, technical issues, with the goal of making topics like Medicare and healthcare easier to understand. I've been writing about Medicare since 2021 and healthcare since 2019. I am an AmeriCorps alumni. I enjoy gardening, reading, and DIYing.
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