Medicare Part B: Premiums for 2024

Summary: The Medicare Part B premium is the amount paid by Medicare enrollees monthly to maintain their health coverage. It is set by Medicare each year. Learn more about the Medicare Part B premiums for 2024.

Medicare Part B, one of the two parts of Original Medicare, helps cover outpatient care, doctor visits, preventive services, and some home health care. Similar to Medicare Part A (hospital insurance), Part B typically pays for 80% of these costs, so you only have to pay 20%.

Each year, the government sets a standard monthly premium amount for Medicare Part B. Your premium amount may be higher based on your income and is usually withdrawn from your Social Security benefits. You are required to pay Medicare Part B premiums monthly if you want to maintain your coverage.

Learn more about what Medicare Part B covers or get a detailed breakdown of the different Medicare parts and plans with our comprehensive guides.

The Social Security Act determines the Medicare Part B Premium, deductible, and coinsurance rates every year. The standard Medicare Part B premium for enrollees in 2024 is $174.70 monthly¹.

You will pay the standard premium amount (or higher) if:

• You enroll in Part B for the first time in 2024
• You don’t get Social Security benefits
• You’re directly billed for your Part B premiums
• You have Medicare and Medicaid, and Medicaid pays your premiums (your state will pay the standard premium amount of $174.70 in 2024)
• Your modified adjusted gross income as reported on your IRS tax return from two years ago is above a certain amount

It’s recommended you sign up for Part B when you’re first eligible for Medicare (typically when you turn 65). While you can wait to enroll, this may incur a penalty. You’ll pay the penalty for as long as you have Part B. The penalty amount increases the longer you wait to sign up.

Part B Medicare premiums are calculated based on an individual’s income level. The premiums for 2024 are shown in the table below²:

If you are married but file separate tax returns, the Part B premiums are listed in the table below²:

Deductibles, Coinsurance, and Out-of-Pocket Costs

In 2024, the Part B deductible for beneficiaries is $240. You have to pay the deductible each year before your Original Medicare plan starts to cover your healthcare expenses.
Once you have met the Medicare Part B deductible, you are still responsible for a portion of your medical costs through coinsurance.

Typically, that coinsurance is 20% of the Medicare-approved amount for most doctor services and prescriptions, outpatient therapy, and durable medical equipment.

This means that if you have a doctor’s visit that costs $100, Medicare Part B would cover $80, and you would be responsible for the remaining $20.

How Much is Medicare Part B?

The cost of Medicare Part B depends on the services you need. Here are some typical services and their associated costs in 2024:

• Doctor visits: After meeting the deductible, you pay 20% of the Medicare-approved amount.
• Outpatient hospital services: You pay 20% of the Medicare-approved amount for the health care providers’ services. You’ll also pay a copayment to the hospital for each service you get in a hospital outpatient setting (except for certain preventive services).
• Inpatient hospital care: You pay 20% of the Medicare-approved amount for most doctor services while you’re a hospital inpatient.
• Home health care: You pay $0 for covered home health care services. After meeting the deductible, you pay 20% of the Medicare-approved amount for durable medical equipment (like walkers, wheelchairs, and hospital beds).
• Partial hospitalization mental health care: You pay 20% of the Medicare-approved amount for each service you get from a doctor or certain other qualified mental health professional. After meeting your deductible, you pay coinsurance for each day of partial hospitalization services you get in a hospital outpatient setting or community mental health center.

Coverage Beyond Medicare Part B

It’s important to understand the role Original Medicare plays in your health care budget. Medicare Parts A and B help cover 80% of health care-related costs. If you determine you’d like coverage for the additional 20%, consider exploring plans, like Medicare Advantage and Medicare supplement insurance. Note that you must be enrolled in both Part A and Part B to apply for this additional coverage, so the Part B premiums will still need to be factored into your overall health care budget.

Still learning the basics of Medicare? We can help! Find answers to commonly asked questions and get a free, personalized recommendation in our Medicare Advice Center.

FAQs

Q1. What is Medicare Part B premium?

The Medicare Part B premium is the amount paid by enrollees monthly to maintain their health coverage. The standard 2024 Part B premium is $174.70 per month. Please note that your Medicare Part B premium may be higher depending on your income.

Q2. At what income level does Medicare Part B premium increase?

Medicare Part B premiums typically increase for individuals with higher incomes. For 2024, if your income is above $103,000 (individuals) or $206,000 (couples), you will pay an increased premium based on your income level.

Q3. Does everyone pay Medicare Part B premium?

Everyone who enrolls in Medicare Part B must pay the Part B premium. The standard 2024 Part B premium is $174.70 per month, but this amount can be higher based on your income.

Q4. Is Medicare Part A free at age 65?

Medicare Part A is usually free for people who are 65 or older if they or their spouse have paid Medicare taxes for at least 10 years. If you do not qualify for premium-free Part A, you will have to pay a premium.

Q5. Is it mandatory to have Medicare Part B?

It is not mandatory to have Medicare Part B, but it is highly recommended. If you decide not to enroll in Part B when you first become eligible, and you do not have other credible health insurance, you may have to pay a late enrollment penalty if you decide to enroll later.

Q6. Is Medicare Part B worth it?

Medicare Part B is generally considered a good option because it helps cover essential medical services such as doctor visits, outpatient care, preventive services, and durable medical equipment. Without Part B, you may face higher out-of-pocket costs for these services. It’s also important to note that you won’t be able to get additional coverage options like Medicare supplement or Medicare Advantage without first enrolling in Part B.

Q7. At what age is Social Security no longer taxed?

There is no specific age at which Social Security benefits are no longer taxed. Social Security benefits may be subject to federal income tax regardless of your age if your combined income exceeds certain thresholds. Some states do not tax Social Security benefits, so it is important to check state-specific rules.

¹ Medicare.gov, Medicare Costs: www.medicare.gov/basics/costs/medicare-costs
² CMS.gov, Part B Premiums: https://www.cms.gov/newsroom/fact-sheets/2024-medicare-parts-b-premiums-and-deductibles