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Medicare Part B costs $202.90 per month in 2026, up from $185.00 in 2025, with an annual deductible of $283, up from $257. These figures apply to most enrollees; higher-income beneficiaries pay more through IRMAA surcharges. Part B covers outpatient medical services — doctor visits, preventive care, lab work, mental health, and medically necessary equipment — but it does not cover most dental, vision, hearing, or prescription drugs. Here is exactly what you get for $202.90 a month.
Key Takeaways
- Medicare Part B standard premium: $202.90/month in 2026 (up from $185 in 2025). Source: CMS, November 2025.
- Part B annual deductible: $283 in 2026 (up from $257 in 2025).
- After the deductible, Medicare pays 80% of covered services; you pay 20% (coinsurance) with no out-of-pocket cap — unless you have a Medigap or Medicare Advantage plan.
- Higher-income enrollees pay more via IRMAA (Income-Related Monthly Adjustment Amount).
- Part B does not cover most dental, vision, hearing aids, long-term care, or routine prescription drugs (those fall under Part D).
What Are the 2026 Medicare Part B Costs?
The standard Medicare Part B premium is $202.90 per month in 2026, and the annual deductible is $283. Both figures are set by CMS and verified in the November 2025 Medicare cost announcement.
After the $283 deductible, Medicare pays 80% of approved charges for covered Part B services. You pay the remaining 20% coinsurance with no annual cap on your out-of-pocket exposure — which is why many people add a Medigap (Medicare Supplement) policy or choose Medicare Advantage to limit their cost exposure.
What Does Medicare Part B Cover?
Part B covers two broad categories: medically necessary services and preventive services.
Medically necessary services are treatments or services needed to diagnose or treat a medical condition. Covered examples include:
- Doctor office visits (primary care and specialists)
- Outpatient hospital services and observation stays
- Ambulance services (when medically necessary)
- Clinical laboratory tests (blood work, urinalysis)
- Mental health services (therapy, counseling, partial hospitalization)
- Durable medical equipment (wheelchairs, walkers, oxygen equipment, CPAP machines)
- Home health care (skilled nursing and therapy, when medically necessary after a qualifying hospital stay)
- Dialysis (outpatient)
- Outpatient surgery
- Some drugs administered in a doctor’s office or outpatient facility (not retail prescriptions)
Preventive services are covered at no cost to you (no deductible, no coinsurance) when provided by a Medicare-participating provider. These include:
- Annual Wellness Visit (not a full physical, but a health review and personalized prevention plan)
- “Welcome to Medicare” preventive visit (one-time, in your first 12 months of Part B)
- Flu, pneumococcal, hepatitis B, and COVID-19 vaccines
- Mammograms, colorectal cancer screenings, bone density scans
- Diabetes prevention program and self-management training
- Cardiovascular disease screenings
- Depression and alcohol misuse screenings
What Does Medicare Part B NOT Cover?
Part B has significant gaps that catch many new enrollees off guard:
- Routine dental care (cleanings, fillings, dentures) — not covered. Some Medicare Advantage plans include it.
- Routine vision care (eye exams for glasses or contacts, eyeglasses) — not covered. Medically necessary eye exams for conditions like glaucoma are covered.
- Hearing aids and routine hearing exams — not covered. Some MA plans include a hearing benefit.
- Prescription drugs (retail) — Part B covers only drugs administered in a clinical setting. Retail prescriptions at a pharmacy require Part D coverage.
- Long-term care (custodial nursing home care) — not covered.
- Routine foot care — not covered unless related to a medical condition like diabetes.
- Cosmetic surgery — not covered.
- Care outside the US — not covered in most circumstances (some exceptions for border areas).
What Is IRMAA? (Higher-Income Surcharges)
If your modified adjusted gross income (MAGI) exceeded certain thresholds two years prior, you pay an Income-Related Monthly Adjustment Amount (IRMAA) on top of the standard $202.90 premium. Medicare uses your 2024 tax return to determine your 2026 IRMAA. The 2026 IRMAA brackets (verify at CMS.gov):
IRMAA brackets adjust annually. Verify the current 2026 figures at CMS.gov. If your income dropped significantly since 2024 (retirement, job loss), you can appeal your IRMAA using SSA Form SSA-44.
How Is Part B Different from Part A?
Medicare Part A covers inpatient hospital stays, skilled nursing facility care (after a qualifying hospital stay), hospice, and some home health care. Most people do not pay a premium for Part A because they or their spouse paid Medicare taxes for at least 40 quarters during their working years. Part B covers outpatient services and carries the $202.90 monthly premium for most enrollees. Together, Parts A and B form “Original Medicare.” For prescription drug coverage, you need to add Part D separately, or choose a Medicare Advantage plan that bundles all three.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Medicare Part B premium for 2026?
The standard monthly premium is $202.90 in 2026, up from $185.00 in 2025. Higher-income beneficiaries pay an IRMAA surcharge on top of the standard rate. The annual deductible is $283.
Why did Medicare Part B go up in 2026?
Part B premiums are recalculated each year based on projected Medicare spending, including costs for new drugs and treatments covered under Part B. CMS announced the 2026 figures in November 2025.
Does Medicare Part B cover dental?
No. Part B does not cover routine dental care (cleanings, fillings, dentures, extractions). Some Medicare Advantage plans include dental benefits — review plan specifics during the Annual Enrollment Period.
What is IRMAA?
The Income-Related Monthly Adjustment Amount is a surcharge added to the standard Part B premium for higher-income beneficiaries. It is based on your MAGI from two years prior. If your income dropped significantly (due to retirement, for example), you can request a reconsideration using SSA Form SSA-44.
What happens if I do not enroll in Part B when I am first eligible?
You may face a late enrollment penalty: your premium increases 10% for each 12-month period you were eligible but did not enroll. This penalty lasts as long as you have Part B. There are exceptions if you had other qualifying coverage (such as an employer plan) during that time.
Bottom line: Medicare Part B costs $202.90 per month in 2026 with a $283 deductible, covering outpatient services and preventive care. The 20% coinsurance has no annual cap, which is why many enrollees add a Medigap plan or choose Medicare Advantage. For how to decide between Medicare Advantage and Original Medicare, see the Medicare Advantage vs Original Medicare guide. For the Medicare enrollment window, see the Medicare open enrollment 2026 guide.
This article is for educational and informational purposes only and does not constitute insurance or financial advice. Medicare premiums, deductibles, and coverage rules are set by CMS and change annually. Verify current figures at CMS.gov or Medicare.gov, and call 1-800-MEDICARE (1-800-633-4227) for questions about your specific coverage.
