1. Medicare Part B Premium and Deductible Increases
Medicare Part B, which covers doctor visits, outpatient services, durable medical equipment, and certain home health services, will see notable cost increases in 2026.
The standard monthly premium will rise to $202.90, representing an increase of $17.90 from the 2025 premium of $185.00. This nearly 10 percent jump is attributed to projected price changes and utilization increases consistent with historical healthcare trends.
Additionally, the annual Part B deductible will increase to $283 in 2026, up $26 from the 2025 deductible of $257. This represents a similar percentage increase of just over 10 percent.
Beneficiaries must meet this deductible before Medicare Part B coverage begins for most services.
High-income beneficiaries will face even steeper costs through Income-Related Monthly Adjustment Amounts (IRMAA). Those with modified adjusted gross income exceeding $109,000 for individual filers or $218,000 for joint filers will pay additional surcharges on top of the standard premium.
For 2026, income-adjusted premiums range from $284.10 to $689.90 monthly, depending on income levels from 2024 tax returns.
It’s worth noting that some current Medicare enrollees may pay less than the standard premium increase due to hold-harmless provisions, which prevent Part B premiums from increasing by more than the cost-of-living adjustment for Social Security benefits.
However, this protection doesn’t apply to new enrollees or those who don’t receive Social Security benefits.
