The 2026 Medicare Part B premium is $202.90 a month at the standard rate, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) announced on November 14, 2025. That is $17.90 more than the 2025 standard premium of $185.00, and the annual Part B deductible rose from $257 to $283.
As of November 6, 2026, CMS has not yet published its 2027 Part B premium, so the 2026 figures below are the ones in effect today. This explainer covers what CMS announced, the income-related surcharges (IRMAA), Part A costs, and how to check the premium that applies to you.
Key takeaways
- The standard 2026 Part B premium is $202.90 a month, up $17.90 from $185.00 in 2025.
- The 2026 Part B annual deductible is $283, up $26 from $257.
- Higher-income enrollees pay more: total monthly Part B premiums range from $284.10 to $689.90, based on income from two years earlier (2024 income for 2026).
- The Part A inpatient hospital deductible is $1,736 per benefit period in 2026.
- SSA says Medicare enrollees can see their 2027 premium amount in the my Social Security Message Center from late November.
What CMS announced for the 2026 Medicare Part B premium
CMS set the 2026 figures in its 2026 Medicare Parts A & B Premiums and Deductibles fact sheet, released November 14, 2025:
| Part B item | 2025 | 2026 |
|---|---|---|
| Standard monthly premium | $185.00 | $202.90 |
| Annual deductible | $257 | $283 |
Enrollees whose income is above certain levels pay more than the standard amount, as explained below. CMS also set a separate premium of $121.60 a month for people who keep only Part B coverage of immunosuppressive drugs after a kidney transplant.
Why the Part B premium rose for 2026
CMS said the increase reflects projected price changes and assumed increases in how much care people use, consistent with historical experience. The fact sheet also said that without CMS’s action on spending for skin substitutes, the premium increase would have been about $11 a month higher. CMS expects spending on skin substitutes to drop by about 90% under its 2026 Physician Fee Schedule final rule.
What $202.90 a month means in dollars
Here is hypothetical arithmetic using the official figures:
- Twelve months at $202.90 comes to $2,434.80 in standard Part B premiums for 2026.
- Twelve months at the 2025 standard premium of $185.00 came to $2,220.00, so the yearly difference is $214.80.
- If someone paid the standard premium all year and also paid the full $283 annual deductible, those two items together would total $2,717.80.
Your own costs depend on the services you use, any supplemental coverage and whether you pay an income-related amount.
2026 Part B premiums for higher incomes (IRMAA)
Enrollees with higher incomes pay an income-related monthly adjustment amount (IRMAA) on top of the standard premium. A CMS 2026 Medicare costs fact sheet explains that the adjustment uses modified adjusted gross income from your IRS tax return from two years earlier; for 2026 premiums, that means 2024 income.
| 2024 income, individual return | 2024 income, joint return | Total 2026 monthly Part B premium |
|---|---|---|
| $109,000 or less | $218,000 or less | $202.90 |
| Above $109,000 up to $137,000 | Above $218,000 up to $274,000 | $284.10 |
| Above $137,000 up to $171,000 | Above $274,000 up to $342,000 | $405.80 |
| Above $171,000 up to $205,000 | Above $342,000 up to $410,000 | $527.50 |
| Above $205,000 and less than $500,000 | Above $410,000 and less than $750,000 | $649.20 |
| $500,000 or more | $750,000 or more | $689.90 |
For people who are married, lived with their spouse at some point during the year and file separate returns, CMS uses a shorter scale: $202.90 for income of $109,000 or less, $649.20 for income above $109,000 and less than $391,000, and $689.90 for income of $391,000 or more.
Part D surcharge for higher incomes
The same income tiers apply to Medicare prescription drug coverage. For 2026, higher-income enrollees pay an extra $14.50 to $91.00 a month on top of their Part D plan premium, according to CMS.
If your income has dropped
Because IRMAA looks back two years, a recent change in circumstances may not be reflected. The Social Security Administration explains on its request to lower IRMAA page that you can ask for a reduction after a life-changing event, such as marriage, divorce, death of a spouse, loss of income or an employer settlement payment, using Form SSA-44. You can submit the form online, by mail or fax to a Social Security office, or at an appointment. If you filed an amended tax return, SSA says to call 1-800-772-1213.
2026 Medicare Part A costs
Most people do not pay a Part A premium. CMS says about 99% of beneficiaries have at least 40 quarters of Medicare-covered employment and pay none. For everyone with Part A, the 2026 cost-sharing amounts are:
| Part A item | 2025 | 2026 |
|---|---|---|
| Inpatient hospital deductible (first 60 days of a benefit period) | $1,676 | $1,736 |
| Daily coinsurance, hospital days 61 to 90 | $419 | $434 |
| Daily coinsurance, lifetime reserve days | $838 | $868 |
| Daily coinsurance, skilled nursing facility days 21 to 100 | $209.50 | $217 |
People who buy Part A because they have fewer than 40 quarters of coverage pay a reduced premium of $311 a month in 2026 if they (or their spouse) have at least 30 quarters, or the full premium of $565 a month with fewer than 30 quarters.
What about the 2027 Medicare Part B premium?
As of November 6, 2026, we found no CMS announcement of 2027 Part B premiums or deductibles. Some websites have published projections, but projections are not official figures, and we do not repeat them here. When CMS releases its 2027 fact sheet, we will update this guide.
The Social Security Administration has said that information about 2027 Medicare changes will be posted at Medicare.gov. In its October 14, 2026 COLA announcement, SSA also says Medicare enrollees can see their 2027 premium amount in the my Social Security Message Center starting in late November, and people who have not opted for online messages receive their COLA notice by mail in December. For the benefit increase itself, see our explainer on the 2027 Social Security COLA.
Key dates for Medicare enrollees
- October 15 to December 7: Medicare Open Enrollment. You can join, switch or drop a Medicare Advantage Plan or Medicare drug plan, or move between Original Medicare and Medicare Advantage. Your plan must receive the request by December 7.
- January 1: Changes made during Open Enrollment take effect.
- November 18, 2026: SSA’s deadline to create a my Social Security account and choose paperless notices if you want to see your COLA notice online.
- Late November 2026: SSA says COLA notices start appearing in the my Social Security Message Center.
- December 2026: SSA mails COLA notices to people who have not chosen paperless delivery.
How to check your own Part B premium
- Read your 2027 COLA notice. SSA says Medicare enrollees can see their 2027 premium amount in the my Social Security Message Center from late November, and the notice lists any deductions from your benefit.
- Sign in to my Social Security at ssa.gov/myaccount and open the Message Center for notices.
- Compare your 2024 income with the IRMAA table above to see which tier applies to your 2026 premium.
- Request a lower IRMAA with Form SSA-44 if a life-changing event reduced your income.
- Look into help with costs. SSA notes that Extra Help and the Medicare Savings Programs can help people with limited income and resources pay premiums and other costs.
- Call 1-800-MEDICARE (1-800-633-4227) with questions about your coverage and costs.
Be cautious with unsolicited calls or messages about your Medicare costs, and rely on official notices and Medicare.gov for your figures. Our reader safety page explains common warning signs. Planning for higher health costs is easier with savings set aside; our guide on how to build an emergency fund covers the basics.
Note: This article is general information, not financial, tax, medical or legal advice. Rules can change, so confirm details with the official source or a qualified professional. See our Disclaimer.
Frequently asked questions
How much is the Medicare Part B premium in 2026?
The standard premium is $202.90 a month, up from $185.00 in 2025. Higher-income enrollees pay between $284.10 and $689.90 a month in total, depending on their income from two years earlier.
What is the 2026 Part B deductible?
It is $283 for the year, up $26 from $257 in 2025. The deductible is separate from the monthly premium.
Which year’s income determines my 2026 IRMAA?
CMS uses modified adjusted gross income from your tax return from two years earlier. For 2026 premiums, that is your 2024 income. If a life-changing event has reduced your income since then, you can ask SSA to lower the amount using Form SSA-44.
Has the 2027 Part B premium been announced?
Not as of November 6, 2026. SSA says Medicare enrollees can see their 2027 premium amount in the my Social Security Message Center starting in late November; people who have not opted for online messages get their COLA notice by mail in December. We will update this guide when CMS publishes the official 2027 figures.
Do most people pay a Part A premium?
No. CMS says about 99% of beneficiaries pay no Part A premium because they have at least 40 quarters of Medicare-covered employment. Others can buy Part A for $311 or $565 a month in 2026, depending on their work history.
Official sources
- 2026 Medicare Parts A & B Premiums and Deductibles – Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services
- 2026 Medicare costs – Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services
- Request to lower an Income-Related Monthly Adjustment Amount (IRMAA) – Social Security Administration
- Social Security Announces 3.6 Percent Benefit Increase for 2027 – Social Security Administration
- Cost-of-Living Adjustment (COLA) Information for 2027 – Social Security Administration
- Open Enrollment – Medicare.gov
Last checked: November 6, 2026. We review this guide when the official rules change.