Medicare Part B explained
Medicare Part B consists of medical insurance that is part of Medicare and covers medical services and supplies. These are medically important in treating your health condition. Part B includes outpatient care, ambulance services, preventive services, and durable medical equipment. It also covers part-time home care and rehabilitative services, including physical therapy.
Medicare Part B covers:
- Medically necessary services: Services or supplies that are needed to diagnose or treat your medical condition and that meet accepted standards of medical practice.
- Preventive services: Health care to prevent illness (like the flu) or detect it at an early stage, when treatment is most likely to work best.
You pay nothing for most preventive services if you get the services from a health care provider who accepts assignment.
Part B Medicare services cover the following:
- Clinical research
- Limited outpatient prescription drugs
- Mental health
- Inpatient
- Outpatient
- Partial hospitalization
- Ambulance services
- Durable medical equipment (DME)
Part B Medicare insurance coverage is based on the following factors:
- Your state laws
- Federal laws
- National coverage decisions
- Local coverage decisions made by companies
Medicare Part B Costs
Medicare Part B (Medical Insurance) helps cover outpatient services, doctor visits, preventive care, and certain medical supplies. If you’re eligible, you pay a monthly premium that is typically deducted automatically from Social Security, Railroad Retirement, or Civil Service benefit payments. Otherwise, you’ll receive a bill.
In 2025, the standard Part B premium is $185.00 per month, an increase of about $10.30 from 2024.
If your income is above certain levels, you’ll pay an additional income-related adjustment (IRMAA) based on your 2023 tax return. Your total premium may be:
| 2023 MAGI (Individual / Joint) | Total Monthly Premium |
|---|---|
| Up to $106,000 / $212,000 | $185.00 (standard) |
| $106K–$133K / $212K–$266K | $259.00 |
| $133K–$167K / $266K–$334K | $370.00 |
| $167K–$200K / $334K–$400K | $480.90 |
| $200K–$500K / $400K–$750K | $591.90 |
| Above $500K / $750K | $628.90 |
The Part B annual deductible is $257 in 2025. You must pay this deductible each year before Medicare starts covering approved services at 80%. Typically, you’re responsible for the remaining 20% (coinsurance), unless you have supplemental insurance.
Some beneficiaries eligible for only Part B drug coverage (e.g. certain post-kidney-transplant individuals) may pay a separate immunosuppressive drug premium of $110.40/month in 2025.
If your Part B premium isn’t deducted automatically, you’ll receive a monthly bill directly from Medicare.
Medicare Part B Enrollment
If you’re receiving retirement benefits before the age of 65 or qualify Medicare insurance because of a disability at an early age you will automatically be enrolled in Medicare Part A and Part B as soon as you become eligible.
If you do not enroll during your initial enrollment period and also not qualify in the special enrollment period. In that case, you have the option to sign up during the annual enrollment period, which starts from 1st January to 31st March of each year and coverage starting from 1st July.
If you’re not automatically enrolled, you can also apply directly for Medicare supplement Insurance part B via the Social Security website either in person or by calling at 1-800-772-1213 on working days.
Remember, when you reach the age of 65 and have Medicare Part B, your six-month Medicare open enrollment period begins its time to purchase a Medicare Part B Supplemental plan. You’ll get a guaranteed-issue right to buy any Medicare plan without paying a higher premium or medical underwriting once you get enrolled in Medicare Part B, not to miss this initial guaranteed-issue enrollment period for Medigap supplement insurance.
Medicare Part B Eligibility
Anyone eligible for Medicare Part A is qualified for Medicare Part B by enrolling and paying a standard monthly premium. And if you are not able for Medicare Part A, you can also qualify for Medicare Part B by meeting the following criteria:
- You reached ta the age of 65 years or older.
- You are a U.S. citizen.
- You are a permanent resident residing in the U.S. for at last five continuous years.
You may also qualify for automatic Medicare Part B enrollment if you are a disabled person. Or if you are under 65 years of age and getting social security benefits, you will automatically get enrolled in Medicare Part B after 24 months of disability benefits. You will also get Medicare Part B insurance enrollment before 65 if you experience last-stage renal disease or amyotrophic lateral sclerosis.
Medicare Part B Premiums
Your Medicare Part B premiums can change from year to year, and cost can vary based on your situation. For many people, it is deducted automatically from their social security benefits.
But if your income exceeds a certain amount, your premium may also increase than the standard premium, as there are different premiums for different income levels in Medicare part B.
If you don’t get social security or rail board benefits, you’ll get a bill to pay your premiums:
- Part B for medical insurance
- Part A for hospital insurance