What is Medicare Part B?

Care not considered medically necessary, such as elective cosmetic surgery, isn’t covered, and chiropractor and acupuncture visits are paid for only if you meet very specific criteria. Part B doesn’t cover medical services outside the United States, except in rare circumstances.

How much does Medicare Part B cost?

Even though Medicare Part B covers many of your expenses for doctor services and outpatient care, you will have some out-of-pocket costs.

Part B premiums. Most people pay $164.90 a month in 2023 for Medicare Part B premiums, which will rise to $174.70 a month in 2024. People who are single with an adjusted gross income of more than $97,000 or married filing jointly with income greater than $194,000 pay a high-income surcharge (officially called the Income-Related Monthly Adjustment Amount, or IRMAA) with premiums ranging from $230.80 to $560.50 a month, depending on income level.

In 2024, the income level for the IRMAA rises to $103,000 for single filers or $206,000 for married couples filing jointly, with premiums ranging from $244.60 to $594.00 a month. Premiums are based on your last tax return on file, which will usually be 2022 income for 2024 premiums.

If you don’t enroll in Medicare when you are first eligible or qualify for a special enrollment period to sign up later, you may have to pay a late enrollment penalty, which is added to your Part B premiums for as long as you have the coverage.

Deductible. You must pay a $226 deductible in 2023 before most Part B coverage begins, which rises to $240 in 2024. However, the Welcome to Medicare checkup, the annual wellness visit and some preventive care are not subject to any deductible or coinsurance unless your doctor orders additional tests. 

Coinsurance. After paying the deductible, you generally pay 20 percent of the Medicare-approved amount for most doctor and outpatient services and for durable medical equipment.

Extra charges from doctors who don’t accept assignment, which means that they agree to take the amount Medicare approves for their services. Doctors who don’t accept assignment can charge up to 15 percent above the Medicare-approved amount for a service, which you would have to pay in addition to the 20 percent copayment for doctor services.

Keep in mind

Want Medicare Advantage? If you choose to get coverage through a private Medicare Advantage plan rather than original Medicare, you still must enroll in Medicare Part A and Part B.

The Medicare Advantage plan must provide as least as much coverage as original Medicare, but you may have different out-of-pocket costs. For example, rather than the Part B deductible and 20 percent coinsurance, a Medicare Advantage plan may have no copayments for in-network primary doctor visits, a $20 copay for diagnostic tests and procedures, $40 copay for specialists and $90 copay for emergency care.  

You may be required to use in-network doctors and other providers to receive coverage from the Medicare Advantage plan. Or you may have to pay more if you use out-of-network services, depending on the plan.

Need financial help with Medicare’s costs? If you have low income and assets, you may qualify for a Medicare Savings Program that helps pay your Medicare premiums and out-of-pocket costs.

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