Generally speaking, Medicare Part B isn’t free. But depending on eligibility, you can reduce your cost through Medicare savings programs, Medicare Advantage, or disability benefits.

Original Medicare consists of Medicare Part A and Part B. Medicare Part A pays for hospitalization, and Medicare Part B pays for general medical care.

With Part A and Part B, you incur out-of-pocket costs such as deductibles, copays, or coinsurance. Part A doesn’t charge a premium for many people, but you typically have to pay a premium for Part B.

Several ways exist to lower your Part B costs. Read on to learn more.

You might be eligible for Original Medicare if you receive Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) or Railroad Retirement Board (RRB) disability benefits. The agencies that provide those benefits can deduct your Part B premium from your monthly benefit payments.

It’s possible to deduct the Part B premium from your annual taxes, but only when your medical costs exceed 7.5% of your adjusted gross income and you itemize deductions.

There are a few ways to become exempt from paying the Part B premium:

  • Medicare savings program (MSP): If your income and assets are below certain levels, you might qualify for one of four federal MSPs, some of which can help cover the Part B premium.
  • Continued employment: If you or your spouse remain employed and the employer provides an individual coverage health reimbursement arrangement (HRA) or a qualified small employer HRA (QSEHRA), these programs can cover your Part B premium.
  • Part C: Sign up for Medicare Advantage (Part C), an alternative to Original Medicare (parts A and B). You typically also pay the Part B premium when enrolled in Part C. Some plans may cover this cost, though you must still pay a Part C premium that depends on your plan.

Your standard premium is $185 in 2025. You must also meet a deductible of $257 before Part B covers 80% of any eligible treatment or service.

But if your modified adjusted gross income (MAGI) from 2023, as reported on your Internal Revenue Service (IRS) tax return, is above a certain amount, you need to pay the standard Part B premium plus a little extra. This extra amount is called the income-related monthly adjustment amount (IRMAA).

The first higher premium bracket starts at a MAGI between $106,000 and $133,000 if filed separately or between $212,000 and $266,000 if filed jointly.

You can request an adjustment to your IRMAA if you experience a life changing event that lowers your household income.

Calling the Social Security Administration (SSA), completing a Life-Changing Event form, and providing the appropriate documentation can help you request the IRMAA adjustment. The SSA may use this information to reduce or remove the surcharge.

You can also enroll in a Medicare supplement plan (Medigap) sold by private companies to help cover Original Medicare costs, such as deductibles, copayments, and coinsurance.

But you must have Original Medicare enrollment, meaning you cannot have Medigap with Medicare Advantage.

Specific states may have other programs to help you save on your Medicare premiums. Contact your State Health Insurance Assistance Program (SHIP) to learn more.

Medicare Part A covers hospital stays, whereas Part B covers general medical care. You face out-of-pocket expenses like deductibles, copays, or coinsurance with both parts. Generally, Part A doesn’t require a premium for many people, but Part B does.

However, you can reduce your Part B expenses in a few ways. Depending on eligibility, you might avoid the Part B premium through Medicare savings programs, Medicare Advantage, or disability benefits. You can also lower your Part B costs through Medigap and, in certain situations, lower your IRMAA.