Some people automatically get Medicare Part B (Medical Insurance), and some people need to sign up for Part B. Learn how and when you can sign up for Part B.
If you don't sign up for Part B when you're first eligible, you may have to pay a late enrollment penalty.
How much does Part B cost?
Part B premiums
You pay a premium each month for Part B. If you get Social Security, Railroad Retirement Board, or Office of Personnel Management benefits, your Part B premium will be automatically deducted from your benefit payment. If you don’t get these benefit payments, you’ll get a bill.
Most people will pay the standard premium amount. If your modified adjusted gross income is above a certain amount, you may pay an Income Related Monthly Adjustment Amount (IRMAA). Medicare uses the modified adjusted gross income reported on your IRS tax return from 2 years ago (the most recent tax return information provided to Social Security by the IRS).
The standard Part B premium amount in 2017 is $134 (or higher depending on your income). However, most people who get Social Security benefits pay less than this amount. This is because the Part B premium increased more than the cost-of-living increase for 2017 Social Security benefits. If you pay your Part B premium through your monthly Social Security benefit, you’ll pay less ($109 on average). Social Security will tell you the exact amount you'll pay for Part B in 2017. You'll pay the standard premium amount if:
- You enroll in Part B for the first time in 2017.
- You don't get Social Security benefits.
- You're directly billed for your Part B premiums.
- You have Medicare and Medicaid, and Medicaid pays your premiums. (Your state will pay the standard premium amount of $134.)
- Your modified adjusted gross income as reported on your IRS tax return from 2 years ago is above a certain amount. If so, you’ll pay the standard premium amount and an Income Related Monthly Adjustment Amount (IRMAA). IRMAA is an extra charge added to your premium.
If you're in 1 of these 5 groups, here's what you'll pay:
| If your yearly income in 2015 (for what you pay in 2017) was | You pay each month (in 2017) | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| File individual tax return | File joint tax return | File married & separate tax return | |
| $85,000 or less | $170,000 or less | $85,000 or less | $134 |
| above $85,000 up to $107,000 | above $170,000 up to $214,000 | Not applicable | $187.50 |
| above $107,000 up to $160,000 | above $214,000 up to $320,000 | Not applicable | $267.90 |
| above $160,000 up to $214,000 | above $320,000 up to $428,000 | above $85,000 and up to $129,000 | $348.30 |
| above $214,000 | above $428,000 | above $129,000 | $428.60 |
Get more information about your Part B premium from Social Security [PDF, 341 KB].
Part B deductible & coinsurance
You pay $183 per year for your Part B deductible. After your deductible is met, you typically pay 20% of the Medicare-approved amount for these:
- Most doctor services (including most doctor services while you're a hospital inpatient)
- Outpatient therapy
- Durable medical equipment
Note
In 2017, there may be limits on physical therapy, occupational therapy, and speech language pathology services. If so, there may be exceptions to these limits.