The Medicare Part B premium is a monthly fee that Medicare beneficiaries pay for coverage of doctor's services, lab tests, and outpatient care. Medicare Part B coverage complements hospital insurance under Medicare Part A, which does not charge premiums for most U.S. citizens and permanent residents age 65 and older, based on past payroll taxes paid.

Medicare sets Part B premiums annually, and they are deducted monthly from the Social Security checks of most participants. About 8% of Medicare Part B participants pay more than the standard monthly premium for coverage based on income.

What Is the Medicare Part B Premium?

Medicare is a U.S. federal health insurance program funded primarily by 澳洲幸运5官方开奖结果体彩网:payroll taxes under the 澳洲幸运5官方开奖结果体彩网:Federal Insurance Contri🦹butions Tax (FICA). Medicare's share is 2.9% of annual wages up to $176,100 in 2025, split evenly between employees and employers.

Medicare Part B is insurance for outpatient medical care, covering doctor visits, preventive screenings, ambulance services, mental health care, and durable medical equipment.

About 8% 🃏of Part B recipients pay 💞more than the standard premium amount of $185 per month. These payments are based on income, as shown in the table below.

Premium surcharges for the highest earners are set for the year ahead based on modified adjusted gross income for the most recent tax year. For example, the premium surcharges for 2025 apply to single taxpayers with modified adjusted gross income (MAGI) of $106,000 or more and joint filers with MAGI of $212,000 or more.

The standard Part B premium covers about 25% of the cost, with Medicare subsidizing the remainder. The premium surcharge tiers are set at 35%, 50%, 65%, 80% and 85% of cost.

The annual deductible for Part B is $257 for 2025, and the patient pays 20% of the bill as 澳洲幸运5官方开奖结果体彩网:coinsurance. Participants who don't have their Part B premiums deducted automatically from Social Security or Railroad Retirement Board benefits can expect a bill for them every three months.

Eligibility for Medicare Part B

In general, Medicare is available to U.S. citizens and permanent legal residents whꩵo:

• Are age 65 or older
• Are under age 65 and have a disability
• Have end-stage renal disease (ESRD)
• Have amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, also called Lou Gehrig's disease.

When you are first eligible for Medicare, you have a seven-month Initial Enrollment Period to sign up for Part A and Part B. If you're eligible when you turn 65, you can sign up during the seven-month period that:

• Starts three months before the month you turn 65
• Includes the month you turn 65
• Ends three months after the month you turn 65

The Other Parts of Medicare

Medicare Part A

Medicare Part A, covers inpatient care at hospitals, skilled nursing homes, and hospices. Part A coverage is typically free if you or your spouse paid U.S. payroll taxes for at least 10 years.

There is a deductible per benefit period for Part A, set at $1,676 in 2025. There is no coinsurance payment unless a hospital stay exceeds 60 days.

Medicare Part C

Medicare Part C—also called Medicare Advantage—is offered by private companies contracted by Medicare.

If you choose to participate in a Medicare Advantage Plan, it will replace Part A and Part B coverage, and may provide extra coverage for vision, hearing, and dental care. Unlike some private health insurance plans, most Medicare Advantage plans include Medicare Part D (prescription drug) coverage.

Medicare Advantage plans may pay some or all of a participant's Plan B premium and often have lower 澳洲幸运5官方开奖结果体彩网:out-of-pocket costs. However, they often impose additional fees or restrictions on care outside their provider network and require referrals to see specialists. The average monthly premium for a Medicare Advantage plan is $17 for 2025. The Medicare Advantage premium is in addition to the Plan B premium, which must be paid to maintain coverage.

Medicare Part D

Medicare Part D prescription drug coverage is an optional benefit offered to anyone who has Medicare. The average basic monthly premium for standard Medicare Part D coverage is $46.50 for 2025.

If you choose not to get Medicare Part D coverage when you're first eligible, you may incur a late enrollment penalty if you join later, unless you have had other 澳洲幸运5官方开奖结果体彩网:creditable prescriptionℱ drug coverage, such as that which your employer or spouse's employer may provide.

The Bottom Line

Medicare Part B covers ambulance services, doctor visits, lab tests, and certain medical equipment. In contrast with Part A, which is available to most eligible individuals at no cost, those who sign up for Part B pay a monthly premium. Part B also has an annual deductible and coinsurance of 20%.

The government subsidizes about 75% of the cost of Medicare Part B for the vast majority of beneficiaries paying the standard monthly premium, a good deal for those who qualify.