Medicare Part B covers doctor visits, outpatient care, lab tests and preventive services. Most people pay the standard premium, and it’s usually taken straight from their Social Security check. To see your own 2027 payment after the COLA and Part B, use Calcvera’s Social Security COLA calculator.
How much is Medicare Part B in 2027?
| Part B cost | 2026 | 2027 (projected) |
|---|---|---|
| Standard monthly premium | $202.90 | $209.50 |
| Standard premium for the year | $2,434.80 | $2,514.00 |
| Yearly deductible | $283 | $292 |
| Your share after the deductible | 20% | 20% |
| Higher premiums (IRMAA) start above | $109,000 single, $218,000 joint (2024 income) | Announced with the premium (2025 income) |
If the projection holds, the premium rises $6.60 a month (3.3%), or $79.20 over the year. Projections can miss: the Trustees’ earlier forecasts for 2027 were higher, and some private forecasters expect more. We’ll update this page the day Medicare announces the figures.
Part B covers doctor visits and outpatient care. Prescription drugs are covered by Part D, which has its own premium and, for 2027, a $700 deductible and a $2,400 yearly cap on what you pay: estimate yours with the Medicare Part D calculator.
How much of your COLA is left after Part B?
Social Security benefits rise 3.6% in January 2027. If your Part B premium is deducted from your check, the increase you see is the COLA minus the projected premium increase. Payments after deductions are rounded down to the whole dollar:
| Benefit before Part B, 2026 | Payment after Part B, 2026 | Payment after Part B, 2027 | Change per month |
|---|---|---|---|
| $1,000 | $797 | $826 | +$29 |
| $1,500 | $1,297 | $1,344 | +$47 |
| $2,095 (average) | $1,892 | $1,960 | +$68 |
| $2,500 | $2,297 | $2,380 | +$83 |
| $3,000 | $2,797 | $2,898 | +$101 |
| $4,000 | $3,797 | $3,934 | +$137 |
The hold-harmless rule protects most people whose premium is taken from their check: if the COLA’s dollar increase is smaller than the Part B increase, the premium rises only as much as the COLA, so the payment doesn’t go down. At a 3.6% COLA and a $6.60 increase, that only matters for benefits under about $183 a month. It doesn’t apply to people who pay IRMAA, people new to Medicare or Social Security, or people whose premium isn’t deducted from their benefit.
Part B premium and deductible since 2015
| Year | Standard monthly premium | Change | Yearly deductible |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2015 | $104.90 | — | $147 |
| 2016 | $121.80 | +16.1% | $166 |
| 2017 | $134.00 | +10.0% | $183 |
| 2018 | $134.00 | 0.0% | $183 |
| 2019 | $135.50 | +1.1% | $185 |
| 2020 | $144.60 | +6.7% | $198 |
| 2021 | $148.50 | +2.7% | $203 |
| 2022 | $170.10 | +14.5% | $233 |
| 2023 | $164.90 | −3.1% | $226 |
| 2024 | $174.70 | +5.9% | $240 |
| 2025 | $185.00 | +5.9% | $257 |
| 2026 | $202.90 | +9.7% | $283 |
| 2027 (projected) | $209.50 | +3.3% | $292 |
In 2016 and 2017, most people paid less than the standard premium because a 0% COLA in 2016 and a 0.3% COLA in 2017 triggered the hold-harmless rule. The premium fell in 2023 after Medicare lowered its spending estimate for a new Alzheimer’s drug.
Who pays more than the standard premium?
- Higher-income beneficiaries (IRMAA). In 2026, the surcharge starts above $109,000 of 2024 modified AGI for one person and $218,000 for a couple, and the Part B premium can reach $689.90 a month. 2027 premiums will use your 2025 tax return. See the IRMAA brackets or check yours with the IRMAA calculator.
- People who signed up late. The Part B penalty adds 10% of the standard premium for each full 12 months you could have had Part B but didn’t, usually for as long as you have Part B. Estimate it with the Medicare late enrollment penalty calculator.
- People not protected by hold harmless in a year when the COLA is very small, such as new enrollees and people who don’t get Social Security.
How do you pay the Part B premium?
If you get Social Security or Railroad Retirement benefits, the premium is deducted from your monthly payment automatically. If you don’t, Medicare bills you, and you can pay online through your Medicare account, by automatic bank deduction (Medicare Easy Pay), by card or by mail.
Can you get help paying for Part B?
Yes. Medicare Savings Programs, run by your state Medicaid office, pay the Part B premium for people with limited income and savings. The QMB program also covers Part B deductibles and coinsurance. Income and asset limits vary by state, and Medicare suggests applying even if you think you won’t qualify.
When will the 2027 Part B premium be announced?
CMS usually announces the next year’s Part B premium, deductible and IRMAA amounts in November. We’ll update this page, the COLA calculator and the IRMAA calculator as soon as the 2027 figures are out. Reviewing your coverage for next year? Our Medicare open enrollment checklist covers what to compare before December 7.
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<a href="https://www.calcvera.net/medicare-part-b-premium/">Medicare Part B premium for 2027 and 2026</a> (Calcvera) Frequently asked questions
How much is Medicare Part B in 2027?
What is the Part B deductible for 2027?
Will the 2027 COLA cover the Part B increase?
Is the Part B premium taken out of Social Security?
Who pays more than the standard Part B premium?
Sources
- 2026 Medicare Parts A & B premiums and deductibles — Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services
- 2026 Medicare Trustees Report — Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services
- Medicare costs — Medicare.gov
- Avoid late enrollment penalties — Medicare.gov
- Medicare Savings Programs — Medicare.gov
- Medicare premiums: rules for higher-income beneficiaries — Social Security Administration
- Cost-of-living adjustment (COLA) information — Social Security Administration