Medicare Part B

Also known as: Medical Insurance

Medical insurance that helps cover doctors, outpatient care, preventive services, medical equipment, and many tests and treatments.

Medicare Part B is medical insurance. It helps cover doctor visits, outpatient care, preventive services, lab tests, durable medical equipment, and many treatments that do not require an inpatient hospital stay.

Most people pay a monthly Part B premium.
Part B has one annual deductible.
After the deductible, you usually pay 20% of the Medicare-approved amount when the provider accepts assignment.

The standard Part B premium is $202.90 per month in 2026, and the annual deductible is $283. Higher-income beneficiaries may pay more. These amounts can change each year.

Part B joins Part A to form Original Medicare. You also need Part B to join Medicare Advantage, and you must keep paying the Part B premium while enrolled in the private plan.

See the official Medicare costs page for current premiums, deductibles, and coinsurance.

Example

After meeting the Part B deductible, a person has a $200 Medicare-approved outpatient service. Part B usually pays $160, and the person pays $40 unless other coverage helps.

Good to Know

The 20% share is based on the Medicare-approved amount, not necessarily the provider's original bill. Confirm that the provider accepts Medicare assignment.

Related Terms

Medicare Part A — Hospital insurance that helps cover inpatient hospital care, limited skilled nursing facility care, hospice, and some home health care.

Medicare Part C (Medicare Advantage) — Medicare Advantage, a private-plan alternative for receiving Part A and Part B benefits, usually with Part D drug coverage included.

Medicare Part D — Prescription drug coverage offered by private plans that follow Medicare rules, either separately or through most Medicare Advantage plans.