Home / Guides / Medicare costs
Medicare costs
The 2027 Medicare Part B premium: the projection ($209.50), what it is based on and how to get help
Free: Margaret's one-page After-65 Bill Check. Get it by email
Most people with Medicare pay a Part B premium every month, usually taken out of their Social Security check. Here is the 2027 number, how it compares with 2026, and who can get help.
This is a PROJECTION, not the final premium. The 2026 Medicare Trustees Report projects a standard Part B premium of $209.50 a month for 2027 and a deductible of $292. CMS usually announces the real figures in the fall, and projections have missed before. This page will show the official number when CMS publishes it.
| Year | Monthly premium | Annual deductible |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 (official, CMS) | $202.90 | $283 |
| 2027 (Trustees projection, not final) | $209.50 | $292 |
| Change | +$6.60 (about 3.3%) | +$9 |
What is the Part B premium?
Part B is the part of Original Medicare that covers doctor visits and outpatient care. Most people pay a standard monthly premium for it. People with higher incomes pay more, through an income-related surcharge called IRMAA.
If you get Social Security, the premium is normally deducted from your check before the money reaches your bank. If you do not, you are billed.
When is the 2027 premium announced?
CMS has announced the premium in the fall in recent years. For 2026 the announcement came on November 14, 2025. Until CMS publishes the 2027 figure, the Trustees' number is the best public guide, and it is a projection. In 2021 the Trustees projected a 2022 premium of $158.50 and CMS finalized $170.10, so the final number can differ.
How does it interact with the Social Security raise?
The Social Security raise (COLA) and the premium change arrive in the same check. For most people the raise is larger than the premium change. A protection called hold harmless keeps many people's net check from falling when the raise is smaller than the increase. See our page on the 2027 Social Security COLA.
Can I get help paying the Part B premium?
Possibly. Medicare Savings Programs can pay the Part B premium for people with limited income and savings. Your state runs them, and many states use higher limits than the federal ones.
Our Medicare Savings Programs guide has the 2026 limits and a private quick check. You can also ask your State Health Insurance Assistance Program (SHIP) for free counseling at shiphelp.org, or call 1-800-MEDICARE.
Will I pay more because of my income?
People above certain income levels pay the standard premium plus an IRMAA surcharge. The income thresholds and surcharge amounts for 2027 are set when CMS announces the premium. Social Security decides who owes it, based on tax records from two years earlier. If your income dropped because of retirement or another life event, you can ask Social Security to use a more recent year.
Frequently asked questions
How much is the Medicare Part B premium in 2027?
It is not final. The 2026 Medicare Trustees Report projects $209.50 a month, up from $202.90 in 2026. CMS announces the official figure in the fall.
How much is the Part B premium in 2026?
The 2026 standard Part B premium is $202.90 a month and the annual deductible is $283, according to CMS.
Will my Social Security raise cover the premium increase?
For most people the raise is larger than the premium change, but it depends on your benefit. Hold harmless protects many people from a net decrease, though not new enrollees or people who pay an income-related surcharge.
Can I get help paying the Part B premium?
Yes, if your income and savings are limited. Medicare Savings Programs, run by your state, can pay the premium. Contact your state Medicaid office or your SHIP.
Who pays more than the standard premium?
People with higher incomes pay an income-related monthly adjustment amount (IRMAA) on top of the standard premium.
Sources
Figures are as of October 13, 2026.
- CMS, 2026 Medicare Parts A and B premiums and deductibles (announced November 14, 2025). https://www.cms.gov/newsroom/fact-sheets/2026-medicare-parts-b-premiums-deductibles
- Reporting on the 2026 Medicare Trustees Report projections for 2027 ($209.50 premium, $292 deductible). https://www.aarp.org/medicare/medicare-part-b-premium-2027/
- Second report on the same Trustees projection (MOAA). https://www.moaa.org/content/publications-and-media/news-articles/2026-news-articles/finance/medicare-report-estimates-future-part-b-premiums.-what-will-you-pay-in-2027-and-beyond/
- Social Security Administration, how the hold harmless provision works. https://www.ssa.gov/blog/en/posts/2020-11-30.html
- Medicare.gov, Medicare Savings Programs. https://www.medicare.gov/basics/costs/help/medicare-savings-programs
- SHIP National Technical Assistance Center, free Medicare counseling. https://www.shiphelp.org/
Related: 2027 Social Security COLA, Medicare Open Enrollment and Medicare Advantage vs. Medigap.
General education only, not insurance, financial, tax, legal or medical advice. Ask Margaret is not affiliated with, endorsed by, or part of Medicare, CMS, the Social Security Administration or any government agency. We do not sell insurance or Medicare plans.
More guides
- Medicare Savings Programs: What They Pay, 2026 Limits and How to Apply
- Medicare Open Enrollment 2026: Dates, What You Can Change, 6 Checks
- Senior Discounts You Can Verify (October 2026)
- 2027 Social Security COLA: Estimate, When It Arrives and What to Check
- RMD Age: When Required Minimum Distributions Start (Table by Birth Year + Calculator)
- How Much Social Security Will I Get? How It Is Calculated and Where to Check
- Medicare Advantage vs. Medigap: The Difference in Plain English
- 9 Bills That Can Shrink or Stop After 65
- Is Your Social Security Taxable? The Income Line That Decides It
- Your 2027 Social Security Raise: What to Watch Before January