Medicare Part B (medical insurance)
In short: Part B covers doctor visits, outpatient care, lab tests, preventive services, and medical equipment. In 2026 most people pay $202.90 a month and a yearly deductible of $283. After that you usually pay 20% of the cost. People with higher incomes pay a larger premium. People with limited income can get help paying it.
What it covers
- Doctor and other health professional visits.
- Outpatient care, including hospital outpatient and observation stays.
- Lab tests, X-rays and scans.
- Durable medical equipment such as walkers, wheelchairs and oxygen.
- Ambulance services.
- Preventive services such as flu shots, cancer screenings and a yearly wellness visit, mostly at no cost to you.
- Some drugs given in a doctor’s office, such as infusions.
Not covered: most dental care, eyeglasses, hearing aids, and long-term custodial care. Some Medicare Advantage plans cover part of these.
What it costs in 2026
- Standard premium: $202.90 a month. It is usually taken out of your Social Security payment.
- Deductible: $283 a year.
- After the deductible: usually 20% of the Medicare-approved amount. Original Medicare has no yearly limit on this 20%. A Medigap policy or Medicaid can cover it.
Higher incomes pay more
If your modified adjusted gross income from your tax return two years ago was above a set amount, you pay more for Part B and for Part D. The amounts for 2026 are:
| Income, filing single | Income, married filing jointly | Part B premium a month | Added to your Part D premium |
|---|---|---|---|
| Up to $109,000 | Up to $218,000 | $202.90 | $0 |
| Up to $137,000 | Up to $274,000 | $284.10 | $14.50 |
| Up to $171,000 | Up to $342,000 | $405.80 | $37.50 |
| Up to $205,000 | Up to $410,000 | $527.50 | $60.40 |
| Below $500,000 | Below $750,000 | $649.20 | $83.30 |
| $500,000 or more | $750,000 or more | $689.90 | $91 |
If your income has dropped because you retired, stopped work, divorced, or your spouse died, you can ask Social Security to use a more recent year. Use form SSA-44 or call Social Security.
Help paying the premium
If your income is limited, a Medicare Savings Program run by your state can pay your Part B premium. In 2026 the federal minimum income limit for the highest level is $1,816 a month for one person, but many states allow more. People who get SSI or Medicaid usually have it paid automatically.
Signing up and the late penalty
- Sign up during your 7-month Initial Enrollment Period around your 65th birthday. See Medicare.
- If you have coverage from your own or your spouse’s current job, you can delay Part B and sign up within 8 months after that job or coverage ends. Retiree coverage, COBRA and VA coverage do not count for this.
- If you sign up late without such coverage, your premium goes up 10% for each full 12 months you were late, usually for life.
How to sign up: online at ssa.gov/medicare/sign-up, by phone at 1-800-772-1213 (TTY 1-800-325-0778), or at a local Social Security office.
Related programs
- Medicare
- Medicare Part A (hospital insurance)
- Medigap (Medicare Supplement Insurance)
- Extra Help with Medicare drug costs
Sources
- cms.gov/newsroom/fact-sheets/2026-medicare-parts-b-premiums-deductibles · checked 2026-10-12
- medicare.gov/medicare-savings-programs · checked 2026-10-12
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