Why do I have to pay Part B premium?
Asked by: Ora Prosacco | Last update: December 14, 2025Score: 4.1/5 (73 votes)
Why am I paying a premium for Medicare Part B?
Part B is optional. Part B helps pay for covered medical services and items when they are medically necessary. Part B also covers some preventive services like exams, lab tests, and screening shots to help prevent, find, or manage a medical problem. Cost: If you have Part B, you pay a Part B premium each month.
Can I refuse to pay for Medicare Part B?
You do not have to pay for Medicare Part B to keep Medi-Cal. Stopping Medicare Part B coverage is generally not recommended. If you want to talk to someone about stopping Medicare Part B, call the SSA at 1-800-772-1213. NOTE: A few things could happen if you do not pay your Medicare Part B premium.
Is Medicare Part B Premium mandatory?
In most cases, if someone does not enroll in Part B when first eligible, they will have to pay a late enrollment penalty for as long as they have Part B. Part B is a voluntary program that requires the payment of a monthly premium for all parts of coverage.
How to avoid Medicare Part B Premium?
- Sign up for Part B on time.
- Structure your income to avoid a premium surcharge.
- How the “hold harmless” provision protects you.
- Check your eligibility for a Medicare Savings Program.
- See if you can get Medicare Part B premium-free.
Medicare Part B Premium is Very High, How To Lower It
Does everyone pay $170 for Medicare Part B?
Most people pay no premiums for Part A. For Medicare Part B in 2025, most beneficiaries will pay $185 per month. Certain factors may require you to pay more or less than the standard Medicare Part B premium in 2025.
Who is exempt from paying Medicare Part B premiums?
Enrollees who have Medicaid, employer-sponsored health coverage, or retiree health benefits from an employer generally don't have to pay the full Medicare Part B deductible, as the other coverage picks up some or all of the cost (this varies depending on the plan).
Can I skip Medicare Part B?
If you don't qualify to delay Part B, you'll need to enroll during your Initial Enrollment Period to avoid paying the penalty. You may refuse Part B without penalty if you have creditable coverage, but you have to do it before your coverage start date.
Why is Social Security no longer paying Medicare Part B?
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.
Does a person really need Medicare Part B?
Part B helps cover medically necessary services like doctors' services, outpatient care, and other medical services that Part A doesn't cover. Part B also covers many preventive services. Part B coverage is your choice. However, you need to have Part B if you want to buy Part A.
Why would someone decline Medicare Part B?
Some people do not take Part B during their Initial Enrollment Period (IEP) because they have primary insurance from their current employer or their spouse's current employer. The IEP is the first time you can sign up for Medicare.
Is Medicare Part B free at age 65?
Medicare Part A (hospital insurance) is free for almost everyone. You have to pay a monthly premium for Medicare Part B (medical insurance). If you already have other health insurance when you become eligible for Medicare, you may wonder if it's worth the monthly premium costs to sign up for Part B.
Can I drop my employer health insurance and go on Medicare Part B?
Once you stop working (or lose your health insurance, if that happens first) you have an 8-month Special Enrollment Period (SEP) when you can sign up for Medicare (or add Part B to existing Part A coverage).
How do I fight Medicare Part B premium?
First, you must request a reconsideration of the initial determination from the Social Security Administration. You can request a reconsideration by calling SSA at 1-800-772-1213 or by writing to SSA. There are 7 qualifying life-changing events: Death of spouse.
Why is my Medicare Part B bill so high?
This is based on your "modified adjusted gross income" (MAGI). Your MAGI is your total adjusted gross income and tax-exempt interest income. If you file your taxes as "married, filing jointly" and your MAGI is greater than $212,000, you'll pay higher premiums for your Part B and Medicare prescription drug coverage.
Do I need part B if I have other insurance?
You can enroll in Medicare Part B if you have other insurance, but you don't have to. However, depending on your other insurance, it may benefit you to have both. This depends on the cost of your other insurance and how it works with Medicare.
Is Part B Medicare ever free?
Medicare Part A (pays for hospital stays) is usually free, but almost everyone has to pay $185 per month for Medicare Part B (pays for medical care). If you have a Part D, Medicare Advantage or Medicare Supplement plan, you'll have an extra monthly cost on top of paying for Part B.
Can I opt out of Medicare Part B?
2 ways to drop coverage
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. Contact Social Security.
How much will Medicare Part B cost in 2025 for seniors?
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) has announced that the standard monthly Part B premium will be $185.00 in 2025, an increase of $10.30 from $174.70 in 2024.
What can I get instead of Medicare Part B?
Part C (Medicare Advantage)
Part C is known as Medicare Advantage. It's an alternative to Parts A and B that bundles several coverage types, including Parts A, B, and usually D. It may also include: Vision.
How do I decline Medicare Part B with Social Security?
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.
Is there a penalty for not taking Medicare Part B at age 65?
Example: If you waited 2 full years (24 months) to sign up for Part B and didn't qualify for a Special Enrollment Period, you'll have to pay a 20% late enrollment penalty (10% for each full 12-month period that you could have signed up), plus the standard Part B monthly premium ($185 in 2025).
How can I reduce my Medicare Part B premium?
If you've had a life-changing event that reduced your household income, you can ask to lower the additional amount you'll pay for Medicare Part B and Part D. Life-changing events include marriage, divorce, the death of a spouse, loss of income, and an employer settlement payment.
Why am I being charged for Medicare Part B?
premium deducted automatically from their Social Security benefit payment (or Railroad Retirement Board benefit payment). If you don't get benefits from Social Security (or the Railroad Retirement Board), you'll get a premium bill from Medicare.
Why is the state no longer paying Medicare Part B premiums?
As part of the effort to resolve the severe shortfall in the California budget, the Legislature and Governor adopted state law that ends Medi-Cal payments of the Medicare Part B premiums for some Medi-Cal beneficiaries as of November 1.