Medicare Part B Premium and Deductible for 2026
The standard 2026 Part B premium is $202.90 per month and the annual deductible is $283, with higher premiums for some beneficiaries.
Timeline
- January 1, 2026: The 2026 Part B premium and deductible took effect.
- During 2026: Beneficiaries pay the applicable monthly premium and cost sharing for covered services.
- Late 2026: CMS normally announces the following year’s standard amounts.
The standard Medicare Part B monthly premium for 2026 is $202.90, up from $185 in 2025. The annual Part B deductible is $283. These are national baseline amounts for full Part B coverage, but they do not describe every beneficiary’s complete health-care costs. [1][2]
After a beneficiary meets the Part B deductible, Original Medicare commonly pays 80 percent of the Medicare-approved amount for many covered services and the beneficiary pays 20 percent. Assignment, the type of service, supplemental coverage and whether a provider accepts Medicare can change the final bill. [2]
Higher-income beneficiaries pay an Income-Related Monthly Adjustment Amount in addition to the standard premium. CMS uses tax-return income information and publishes several tiers. A life-changing event or an inaccurate income record may support a request for Social Security to reconsider the adjustment under the applicable process. [1]
A late-enrollment penalty can also make an individual premium higher. In many cases, someone who delays Part B without qualifying coverage pays an added percentage for as long as Part B continues. Enrollment timing should be checked against the person’s employment coverage and eligibility dates. [2]
Part B is separate from Part A hospital coverage, Part D prescription-drug coverage, Medicare Advantage and Medigap. A Part D premium varies by plan, and a Medicare Advantage plan can have its own premium and cost sharing. The $202.90 figure is therefore not a complete monthly Medicare budget. [1][2]
Many people have the Part B premium deducted from a Social Security payment. A Social Security COLA can increase the gross benefit at the same time the Medicare premium changes, so the net deposit may not rise by the full COLA percentage. [1][2]
People with limited income and resources may qualify for a Medicare Savings Program or Extra Help with prescription-drug costs. Eligibility and administration differ by program and location. Medicare recommends checking the current plan, coverage documents and official assistance channels rather than relying on a national average. [2]