If you’re on Medicare, your Part B premium is going up again in 2026. The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) confirmed the new standard premium, deductible, and income brackets for the year, and the increase is bigger than usual. Here’s exactly what changed and what it means for your monthly budget.
1. The New 2026 Medicare Part B Premium
The standard monthly Part B premium for 2026 is $202.90, up $17.90 from $185.00 in 2025. That’s roughly a 9.7% increase in a single year — one of the larger jumps in recent memory.
The annual Part B deductible also rose to $283, up $26 from $257 in 2025. Both changes took effect January 1, 2026, and were officially announced by CMS on November 14, 2025.
2. Why Did the Premium Go Up So Much?
CMS says the increase is “mainly due to projected price changes and assumed utilization increases that are consistent with historical experience” — in plain terms, healthcare costs and how much care people are using both went up.
There’s one silver lining: CMS also finalized changes that are expected to cut spending on “skin substitute” products (a category of wound-care treatments) by about 90%. Without that change, CMS says the premium would have been roughly $11 a month higher than it already is.
3. IRMAA Brackets — Will You Pay More Than $202.90?
Most people pay the standard $202.90 premium. But if your income is above certain thresholds, Social Security adds an Income-Related Monthly Adjustment Amount (IRMAA) on top. Here’s the full 2026 chart:
| Individual MAGI | Joint MAGI | IRMAA Adjustment | Total Monthly Premium |
|---|---|---|---|
| $109,000 or less | $218,000 or less | $0.00 | $202.90 |
| $109,001 – $137,000 | $218,001 – $274,000 | $81.20 | $284.10 |
| $137,001 – $171,000 | $274,001 – $342,000 | $202.90 | $405.80 |
| $171,001 – $205,000 | $342,001 – $410,000 | $324.60 | $527.50 |
| $205,001 – $499,999 | $410,001 – $749,999 | $446.30 | $649.20 |
| $500,000 or more | $750,000 or more | $487.00 | $689.90 |
4. A Real Example: How IRMAA Actually Works
Let’s say you’re a single filer with a Modified Adjusted Gross Income (MAGI) of $130,000. Here’s how it plays out:
- Your income falls in the “$109,001 – $137,000” bracket.
- That means an IRMAA adjustment of $81.20 gets added to the standard premium.
- Your total Part B premium becomes $202.90 + $81.20 = $284.10 per month, or $3,409.20 for the year — instead of the standard $2,434.80.
That’s an $974.40 difference for the year just from crossing into the next income bracket, which is why it’s worth knowing exactly where your MAGI falls before year-end.
5. How IRMAA Is Calculated (and How to Appeal It)
Social Security determines your IRMAA using the tax return from two years earlier — your 2026 IRMAA is based on your 2024 MAGI. This lag catches a lot of people off guard, especially right after retirement when income drops but the IRMAA hasn’t caught up yet.
If you’ve had a “life-changing event” — retirement, divorce, loss of a pension, or the death of a spouse — you can file Form SSA-44 to ask Social Security to use more recent income instead of the two-year-old return.
6. Does This Affect Medicare Part A Too?
Most people don’t pay a Part A premium at all if they or a spouse paid Medicare taxes for at least 10 years, so this increase is specific to Part B (and to Part D, which has its own separate IRMAA surcharge). Check your Medicare Summary Notice or your Social Security account online to confirm which parts you’re paying for.
7. Frequently Asked Questions
Does everyone pay the new $202.90 premium? Most beneficiaries do, unless your income puts you in an IRMAA bracket or you qualify for a Medicare Savings Program that covers your premium.
When does the new premium take effect? January 1, 2026 — it should already be reflected in your Social Security deposit or your monthly bill if you pay directly.
Where can I double-check my own IRMAA status? Log into your account at SSA.gov or check the notice Social Security mails each fall confirming your premium for the coming year.