Medicare Part B is “medical” insurance part of your overall Medicare coverage. Part B consists of medical services and supplies. For example, Part B includes outpatient care, ambulance services, preventive services, and durable medical equipment. It also covers part-time home care and rehabilitative services, including physical therapy.
Medicare Part B covers:
- Medically necessary services: Services and supplies needed to diagnose or treat your medical condition and that meet accepted standards of medical practice.
- Preventive services: Health care that helps prevent illness or detect it early, when treatment is more likely to be effective
- You pay nothing for most preventive services if you get the services from a health care provider who accepts Medicare assignment.
Part B Medicare services cover the following:
- Clinical research
- Limited outpatient prescription drugs
- Mental health
- In-patient
- Outpatient
- Partial hospitalization
- Ambulance services
- Durable medical equipment (DME)
Part B Medicare insurance coverage is based on the following factors:
- Your state laws
- Federal laws
- National coverage decisions
- Local coverage decisions made by companies
Medicare Part B Eligibility
Anyone eligible for Medicare Part A is qualified for Medicare Part B by enrolling and paying a standard monthly premium. You can also qualify for Medicare Part B by meeting the following criteria:
- You reached the age of 65 years or older.
- You are a U.S. citizen.
- You are a permanent resident residing in the U.S. for at last five continuous years.
You may also qualify for automatic Medicare Part B enrollment if you are a disabled person. Or if you are under 65 years of age and receiving social security benefits. You will be automatically eligible and enrolled in Medicare Part B insurance before age 65 if you experience end-stage renal disease or amyotrophic lateral sclerosis.
Medicare Part B Enrollment
If you receive retirement benefits before the age of 65 or qualify for Medicare insurance because of a disability at an early age you will be automatically enrolled in Medicare Part A and Part B as soon as you become eligible. You will have an IEP – Initial Enrollment Period to enroll into Medicare Part B. It is a seven-month enrollment window. Three months before your birthday, your birthday month, and three months after your birthday.
If you do not enroll during your initial enrollment period and do not qualify in the special enrollment period. In that case, you have the option to sign up during the general enrollment period (GEP), which starts from 1st January to 31st March each year. Your coverage will be effective on the first of the month after your application is submitted.
Remember, only after enrolling into Medicare Parts A and B, are you then able to consider a Medicare Supplement plan (Medigap) or a Medicare Advantage Plan (MAPD) to help cover your healthcare costs that are not covered by Original Medicare.
Medicare Part B Premiums
Your Medicare Part B premiums can change from year to year, and costs can vary based on your situation. For many people, the premium will automatically be withheld from their benefit payment each month from their Social Security benefits.
A standard Part B Medicare premium amount in 2025 is $185.00.
People usually pay a standard premium amount set by the Federal government each year as noted above . However, if your gross income is above a certain amount, you may pay an income-related monthly amount (IRMAA) which acts like a surcharge for high income earners. Medicare will use modified adjusted gross income(MAGI) as reported to the IRS on their tax return from 2 years ago. This tax return information is the most recent tax return provided to Social Security Administration by the IRS.
Every person enrolled in Part B Medicare pays a premium each month*. The premium will automatically be deducted from their benefit payment each month if they are receiving any benefits from the following sources:
- Social security
- Railroad retirement board
- Personnel management office
*Unless qualified through Medicaid for Part B premium free coverage.
Otherwise, you will pay with direct bill or by setting up autopay via Easy Pay.
Medicare Part B Costs
Medicare Part B (Medical Insurance) helps cover outpatient services, doctor visits, preventive care, and certain medical supplies. If you’re eligible, you pay a monthly premium that is typically deducted automatically from Social Security, Railroad Retirement, or Civil Service benefit payments. Otherwise, you’ll receive a bill.
In 2025, the standard Part B premium is $185.00 per month, an increase of about $10.30 from 2024.
If your income is above certain levels, you’ll pay an additional income-related adjustment (IRMAA) based on your 2023 tax return. Your total premium may be:
| 2023 MAGI (Individual / Joint) | Total Monthly Premium |
|---|---|
| Up to $106,000 / $212,000 | $185.00 (standard) |
| $106K–$133K / $212K–$266K | $259.00 |
| $133K–$167K / $266K–$334K | $370.00 |
| $167K–$200K / $334K–$400K | $480.90 |
| $200K–$500K / $400K–$750K | $591.90 |
| Above $500K / $750K | $628.90 |
The Part B annual deductible is $257 in 2025. You must pay this deductible each year before Medicare starts covering approved services at 80%. Typically, you’re responsible for the remaining 20% (coinsurance), unless you have supplemental insurance.
Some beneficiaries eligible for only Part B drug coverage (e.g. certain post-kidney-transplant individuals) may pay a separate immunosuppressive drug premium of $110.40/month in 2025.
If your Part B premium isn’t deducted automatically, you’ll receive a monthly bill directly from Medicare.