Generally, there is no premium for Medicare Part A if you've worked 10 or more years and paid into Social Security. In most cases, you will pay a monthly premium for Part B. There are other out-of-pocket costs associated with Medicare Part A and Part B as well.
Unlike Part A, Medicare Part B has a monthly premium, which can cost $185.00 to $628.90 depending on income. It has a late enrollment penalty for anybody who enrolls without qualifying for a Special Enrollment Period.
If you don't get premium-free Part A, you pay up to $565 each month. If you don't buy Part A when you're first eligible for Medicare (usually when you turn 65), you might pay a penalty. Most people pay the standard Part B monthly premium amount ($202.90 in 2026).
Enrollees who have Medicaid, employer-sponsored health coverage, or retiree health benefits from an employer generally don't have to pay the full Medicare Part B deductible, as the other coverage may pick up some or all of the out-of-pocket costs you would otherwise have to pay under Original Medicare, including ...
Premium-Free Medicare Part A Based on Age
To be eligible for premium-free Part A on the basis of age: A person must be age 65 or older; and. Be eligible for monthly Social Security or Railroad Retirement Board (RRB) cash benefits.
Part B is not generally free. In 2025, the base premium is $185, though some people pay more depending on their income. People must also satisfy a deductible of $257 before Part B can cover 80% of any eligible treatment or service.
One option you have for delaying enrollment in Medicare Part B is if you're still working and have creditable employer health insurance. This is the most common way people avoid Part B premiums: by staying on their employer's group health plan past age 65.
Here are some of the biggest Medicare mistakes to avoid:
There could be several reasons why Social Security stopped withholding your Medicare Part B premium. One common reason is that your income has exceeded the threshold for premium assistance. Another reason could be that there was a mistake or error in your records.
Some of the items and services Medicare doesn't cover include:
Original Medicare does not cover 100% of your medical costs, and it does not cover prescription drugs. To help bridge the cost gaps, you can choose a Medigap policy or a Medicare Advantage plan. Deciding between Medigap and Medicare Advantage depends on many factors, including where you live.
Your CalPERS health coverage will automatically be canceled the first day of the month after you turn 65. Review Cancellation of CalPERS Health Coverage for information on reinstating your health coverage.
To qualify for Original Medicare Part A, a person must be 65 years or older. Unless they meet other requirements, such as a qualifying disability, they cannot get Medicare Part A benefits before this age. Some people may be 65 years old but ineligible for premium-free Medicare Part A.
Who qualifies for extra $144 added to their Social Security depends on specific federal benefit programs and state supplemental payments. This additional monthly payment typically comes through Supplemental Security Income (SSI) state supplements or special Social Security Administration programs.
Not all doctors accept Medicare, often because reimbursement rates are low and program requirements can be demanding, which can leave patients facing higher out-of-pocket costs.
Generally, you're first eligible to sign up for Part A and Part B starting 3 months before you turn 65 and ending 3 months after the month you turn 65. (You may be eligible for Medicare earlier, if you get disability benefits from Social Security or the Railroad Retirement Board.)
Starting in 2025, there is an annual limit on what you pay out-of-pocket for prescription medications through Medicare and Medicare Advantage prescription drug plans. All prescription medications, including specialty medications, covered by Part D plans are included under this cap.
If you can't afford to pay your Medicare premiums and other medical costs, you may be able to get help from your state. States offer Medicare Savings Programs for people entitled to Medicare who have limited income. Some programs may pay for Medicare premiums and some pay Medicare deductibles and coinsurance.
For people who are not “held harmless” the Part B premiums can increase as much as necessary until the standard rate is reached for the given year. You will have to pay this increased amount if any one of the following applies to you: You are new to Medicare. You don't get Social Security benefits.
Part B only covers about 80% of healthcare costs, leaving you responsible for the remaining 20%. To account for these out-of-pocket costs, you may explore Medicare Advantage plans, which offer the same coverage as Original Medicare but may include additional routine benefits.
Medicare Part B Premium and Share of Cost
As a result, the Social Security Administration (SSA) began deducting the Medicare Part B premium from the Social Security checks of affected members, starting with the checks issued in May 2011.
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) has set the standard monthly Part B premium at $202.90 in 2026, an increase of $17.90, or just under 10 percent, from the 2025 premium of $185.00.
Because you're getting Social Security benefits at least 4 months before you turn 65, you don't need to do anything to sign up. We'll automatically enroll you in both Medicare Part A (Hospital Insurance) and Part B (Medical Insurance).