A sudden increase or new charge for Medicare Part B is likely due to the Income-Related Monthly Adjustment Amount (IRMAA), a surcharge for individuals with higher incomes based on tax returns from two years prior. Other reasons include standard annual premium hikes, loss of Medicaid/state assistance, or moving from automatic deduction to direct billing.
Your Part B premium amount will be deducted from your monthly Social Security, Railroad Retirement Board or Civil Service benefit payment if you receive one of these. If you don't receive any of these benefits, you'll need to pay for Part B directly.
You can avoid paying Medicare Part B premiums by delaying enrollment if you have creditable employer coverage (your own or spouse's job with 20+ employees) until that coverage ends (within 8 months to avoid penalties), or by qualifying for a Medicare Savings Program (MSP) to have state/federal funds pay for it due to low income. Other ways to save include using HSA funds, appealing high Income-Related Monthly Adjustment Amounts (IRMAA) for life changes, or enrolling on time during your Initial Enrollment Period.
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.
People with higher incomes pay higher premiums. NOTE: If you don't receive Social Security benefits, you will be billed for Part B. Also, people with higher incomes (individuals with annual incomes over $109,000 and couples with incomes over $218,000) will pay a higher Part B premium than the standard $202.90 amount.
To find out more about how to terminate Medicare Part B or to schedule a personal interview, contact us at 1-800-772-1213 (TTY: 1-800-325-0778) or visit your nearest Social Security office.
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.
Yes, you can opt out of Medicare Part B, but you must have other creditable coverage (like employer insurance) to avoid late enrollment penalties if you re-enroll later; the process involves submitting a written request with Form CMS-1763 to Social Security, and coverage ends the month after you file. It's generally advisable to only drop Part B if you have strong employer group health coverage to prevent future penalties, as Part B covers doctor visits, outpatient care, and preventive services.
If you joined a Medicare Advantage Plan during your Initial Enrollment Period, you can change to another Medicare Advantage Plan (with or without drug coverage) or go back to Original Medicare (with or without a drug plan) within the first 3 months you have Medicare Part A & Part B.
No one is automatically exempt from Medicare Part B premiums, but many people avoid paying them by having other creditable coverage (like employer plans when still working), qualifying for Medicare Savings Programs (MSPs) through Medicaid due to low income, or having certain disabilities that qualify them for premium assistance. Those automatically enrolled in Medicare who don't need Part B right away (e.g., due to employer coverage) can delay enrollment without penalty.
If you can't afford Medicare Part B, you should immediately contact your State Medical Assistance (Medicaid) office to apply for a Medicare Savings Program (MSP), which can pay your Part B premiums and other costs if you have low income/resources, or explore options like Supplemental Security Income (SSI), or even look into Medicaid itself for comprehensive help, as delaying Part B can lead to lifetime penalties.
In 2025, the standard Medicare Part B premium is $185 per month, with an annual deductible of $257, though higher-income earners pay more (Income-Related Monthly Adjustment Amount or IRMAA), and some with Social Security benefits pay less due to the "hold harmless" rule.
As of November 2023, the income limits for free Part B coverage are as follows: Individuals with an income at or below 135% of the FPL: Individuals whose income falls at or below this threshold may qualify for free Part B coverage. As of now, the income limit for an individual is $1,640 per month or $19,683 per year.
Here are some of the biggest Medicare mistakes to avoid:
If you file your taxes as "married, filing jointly" and your MAGI is greater than $218,000, you'll pay higher premiums for your Part B and Medicare prescription drug coverage. If you file your taxes using a different status, and your MAGI is greater than $109,000, you'll pay higher premiums.
If you still have employer-sponsored health insurance or other forms of coverage, it may not be necessary to enroll in Part B right away. However, if you don't have coverage for specific healthcare needs, Part B can provide crucial access to necessary medical services.
Yes, you can opt out of Medicare Part B, but you must have other creditable coverage (like employer insurance) to avoid late enrollment penalties if you re-enroll later; the process involves submitting a written request with Form CMS-1763 to Social Security, and coverage ends the month after you file. It's generally advisable to only drop Part B if you have strong employer group health coverage to prevent future penalties, as Part B covers doctor visits, outpatient care, and preventive services.
If your modified adjusted gross income as reported on your IRS tax return from 2 years ago is above a certain amount, you'll pay the standard Part B premium and an income-related monthly adjustment amount. If you have questions about your Part B premium, call Social Security at 1-800-772-1213.
There are just two main ways to avoid paying the levy and they don't apply to many Australians:
Yes, Social Security recipients received a Cost-of-Living Adjustment (COLA) for 2025, but the bigger news is that they are getting a larger 2.8% COLA for 2026, announced in October 2025, which began with January 2026 payments, increasing average benefits by about $56 per month. The 2025 COLA was a smaller 2.5% increase, while the 2026 adjustment reflects moderating inflation, leading to higher payments starting in the new year.
You can avoid paying Medicare Part B premiums by delaying enrollment if you have creditable employer coverage (your own or spouse's job with 20+ employees) until that coverage ends (within 8 months to avoid penalties), or by qualifying for a Medicare Savings Program (MSP) to have state/federal funds pay for it due to low income. Other ways to save include using HSA funds, appealing high Income-Related Monthly Adjustment Amounts (IRMAA) for life changes, or enrolling on time during your Initial Enrollment Period.
If you can't afford Medicare Part B, you should immediately contact your State Medical Assistance (Medicaid) office to apply for a Medicare Savings Program (MSP), which can pay your Part B premiums and other costs if you have low income/resources, or explore options like Supplemental Security Income (SSI), or even look into Medicaid itself for comprehensive help, as delaying Part B can lead to lifetime penalties.
To drop Part B (or Part A if you have to pay a premium for it), you usually need to send your request in writing and include your signature.