A basic understanding of Medicare helps you get the most out of your health care coverage. The first thing you need to understand is that there are two different parts to Original Medicare: Part A and Part B. Medicare Part B covers medical services and supplies considered medically necessary to treat your health condition. This includes outpatient services, preventive care, ambulance services, and durable medical equipment. Some preventive services are also included within Medicare Part B, including a once a year preventive visit, flu, cardiovascular screenings, hepatitis B shots, cancer and diabetes screenings, and other services. Medicare Part B is an automatic enrollment for some, and others will need to sign up.
Licensed Agent
Health Insurance Quote
What are Medicare Part B Premiums?
Medicare Part B premiums change from one year to the next, and the monthly premium varies based on your income and personal circumstances. Your Part B premium will be deducted automatically from your benefit payment if you receive benefits from Social Security, Railroad Retirement Board, or Office of Personnel Management. If you don’t receive benefit payments, you’ll receive the bill.
How Much Does Part B Cost in 2023?
The Social Security Act determines each year’s Medicare Part B premium, deductible, and coinsurance rates. For 2023, the standard monthly premium for Medicare Part B enrollees will be $164.90, a decrease of $5.20 in 2022. The annual deductible for all Medicare Part B beneficiaries is $226 in 2023, a decrease of $7 in 2022.
Some beneficiaries pay a higher monthly premium because they have incomes above certain thresholds. Beneficiaries with incomes below these thresholds pay the standard premium amount and an income-related monthly adjustment amount (if applicable).
Part B Premiums in 2023
Part B premiums are deducted directly from their Social Security benefits for most beneficiaries. However, since 2007, income-related monthly adjustment amounts have been introduced for some beneficiaries. These premium surcharges are based on the beneficiary’s modified adjusted gross income. These income-related monthly adjustment amounts affect roughly 7 percent of people with Medicare Part B.
For 2023, the standard monthly premium for Medicare Part B enrollees will be $164.90, a decrease of $5.20 in 2022.
According to cms.gov, the 2023 Part B total premiums for high-income beneficiaries with full Part B coverage are as follows:
| Full Part B Coverage | |||
| Beneficiaries who file individual tax returns with modified adjusted gross income: | Beneficiaries who file joint tax returns with modified adjusted gross income: | Income-Related Monthly Adjustment Amount | Total Monthly
Premium Amount |
| Less than or equal to $97,000 | Less than or equal to $194,000 | $0.00 | $164.90 |
| Greater than $97,000 and less than or equal to $123,000 | Greater than $194,000 and less than or equal to $246,000 | $65.90 | $230.80 |
| Greater than $123,000 and less than or equal to $153,000 | Greater than $246,000 and less than or equal to $306,000 | $164.80 | $329.70 |
| Greater than $153,000 and less than or equal to $183,000 | Greater than $306,000 and less than or equal to $366,000 | $263.70 | $428.60 |
| Greater than $183,000 and less than $500,000 | Greater than $366,000 and less than $750,000 | $362.60 | $527.50 |
| Greater than or equal to $500,000 | Greater than or equal to $750,000 | $395.60 | $560.50 |
(source)
Part B Deductible & Coinsurance
The deductible is the amount of money you will need to pay in out-of-pocket costs before the plan starts coverage. For example, in 2023, the yearly deductible for Medicare Part B is $226, and coinsurance of 20% for several covered services. How much you will pay for Part B-covered services depends if you visit a participating or non-participating provider.
Participating providers (physicians or healthcare professionals) accept Medicare’s approved amount for a service, and you will be responsible for the Part B deductible along with 20% of the approved amount. Some providers, however, do not accept Medicare’s approved amount. These non-participating providers did not sign an agreement with Medicare and can charge up to 15% more than Medicare’s approved amount, meaning you’d be responsible for the 20% coinsurance plus 15%.
There’s no yearly limit on what you pay out-of-pocket. There may be limits on expenses you pay through supplemental coverage you may have, like Medigap, Medicaid, or employer or union coverage.”
Ways to Pay Medicare Part B Premiums
Log in to your secure www.MyMedicare.gov account and pay online using a credit or debit card.
Sign up for Medicare Easy Pay, a service that automatically deducts your premium payments from your savings or checking account each month.
Mail your payment to Medicare by check, money order, credit card, or debit card.
Fill in the Medicare payment coupon and post to: Medicare Premium Collection Center PO Box 790355 St. Louis, MO 63179-0355
Need Extra Help Paying Medicare Part B Premiums?
If you have limited income and assets, you may qualify for financial assistance to help pay Medicare Part B premiums. The Medicare Savings Program provides three different programs that can help you cover your Medicare Part B costs. To qualify, the requirements for the four programs are as follows:
Note: These costs are based on the 2022 amounts from medicare.gov.
Qualified Medicare Beneficiary (QMB):
- Individual monthly income limit* $1,153
- Married couple monthly income limit* $1,546
- Individual resource limit $8,400
- Married couple resource limit $12,600
Specified Low-Income Medicare Beneficiary (SLMB):
- Individual monthly income limit* $1,379
- Married couple monthly income limit* $1,851
- Individual resource limit $8,400
- Married couple resource limit $12,600
Qualified Individual (QL):
- Individual monthly income limit* $1,549
- Married couple monthly income limit* $2,080
- Individual resource limit $8,400
- Married couple resource limit $12,600
Qualified Disabled Working Individual (QDWI):
- Individual monthly income limit* $4,615
- Married couple monthly income limit* $6,189
- Individual resource limit $4,000
- Married couple resource limit $6,000
*Limits are slightly higher in Alaska and Hawaii.
If you have income from working, you may qualify for benefits even if your income is higher than the limits listed.
Are Medicare Part B Premiums Tax-Deductible?
Many types of medical expenses are tax-deductible. For example, under the U.S. tax code, you can deduct Medicare expenses (including premiums) that exceed a certain percentage of your income. If you have any questions about the Medicare Part B premiums you can expect to pay and your eligibility for financial assistance, speak to one of our licensed agents today. Our agents will discuss your Medicare options and help find a plan that works for you.
Licensed Agent
Health Insurance Quote