Medicare Part B Premiums to Rise Significantly in 2026

Washington, D.C. — Medicare Part B premiums are set to increase to $202.90 per month in 2026, a rise of $17.90, or 9.7%, from the $185 monthly premium in 2025, according to the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS).

This surge marks the second-highest dollar increase recorded for Part B premiums, according to Mary Johnson, an independent analyst specializing in Social Security and Medicare. The highest previous increase was $21.60 per month in 2022.

Johnson commented via email that retirees might view this as a “continuation in relentless cost increases.” Part B provides health insurance covering essential and preventive medical services.

Typically, Part B premiums are deducted straight from Social Security checks. Therefore, any increase in these monthly premiums could affect the projected increase of Social Security benefits in 2026.

The Social Security Administration has announced that beneficiaries can expect about a $56 monthly increase in their retirement benefits starting in 2026. However, Johnson noted that to beneficiaries, the Part B premium hike may seem to consume “a significant chunk of or even most of their COLA.”

Fortunately, the “hold harmless” provision ensures that Social Security benefits will not decrease year over year due to increases in Medicare Part B premiums. However, deductions for additional private Medicare Advantage plans or Part D prescription coverage may still lower the net benefits.

The new standard Part B premium rate will apply to individuals with a modified adjusted gross income of $109,000 or less and to married couples filing jointly with a modified AGI of $218,000 or less. Approximately 8% of Medicare Part B beneficiaries will face an income-related monthly adjustment amount, which raises their premiums based on higher incomes, as stated by CMS.

Additionally, the annual deductible for Part B will increase to $283 in 2026, representing a 10% jump from the current deductible of $257 in 2025.

According to CMS, the reasons for these increases in premiums and deductibles are primarily linked to “projected price changes and assumed utilization increases that are consistent with historical experience.” Beneficiaries whose incomes have decreased can report these changes to the Social Security Administration to possibly adjust their premiums accordingly.