What to Do If Your Medicare Part B Premium Increases in 2026
- Higher-income enrollees pay an extra Part B amount called IRMAA.
- If your income dropped after a life event, you can request a reduction.
- A Medicare Savings Program can pay your Part B premium.
- Extra Help lowers your prescription drug costs.
If your Medicare Part B premium went up, there are ways to lower it or get help paying it. Here is what to do if your Part B premium increases in 2026.
Why premiums rise (IRMAA)
Most people pay the standard Part B premium, but higher-income enrollees pay an extra amount called the Income-Related Monthly Adjustment Amount (IRMAA). It is based on your tax return from a couple of years earlier, so a past high-income year can raise this year’s premium.
Request an IRMAA reconsideration after a life change
If your income dropped because of a qualifying life-changing event – retirement, losing a job, divorce, or the death of a spouse – you can ask Social Security to recalculate your IRMAA using your current income. File Form SSA-44 with proof of the change.
Get help paying the premium
- A Medicare Savings Program (run by your state Medicaid office) can pay your Part B premium entirely for people with limited income.
- Qualifying usually also enrolls you in Extra Help, which lowers drug costs.
- Many people with low income also have Medicaid alongside Medicare.
Check your coverage and costs
Confirm what you are enrolled in with the Medicare enrollment status guide, and review how the parts work in the Medicare guide. If a claim or service is denied, see how to appeal a Medicare denial.
What to do next
If a life event lowered your income, file for an IRMAA reduction. If your income is limited, apply for a Medicare Savings Program through your state Medicaid office – it is free.
Official source
Learn about premiums and IRMAA at medicare.gov and request a reconsideration through ssa.gov. It is free.
Frequently asked questions
Why did my Part B premium go up?
Either the standard premium changed, or you pay IRMAA because of a higher-income tax year. IRMAA is based on income from about two years earlier.
Can I lower my IRMAA?
Yes, if a life-changing event lowered your income. File Form SSA-44 with proof, and Social Security can recalculate it.
Who pays my Part B premium if I have low income?
A Medicare Savings Program through your state Medicaid office can pay it in full. Apply for free.
What to Do Next
Ready to act? Applying, checking status, and getting help are free through the official agency – you never pay a third party. Gather what you need, apply or respond early, and keep copies of everything you submit.
Related Medicare guides
Medicaid and medicare dual eligibility, How to enroll in medicare. Official source: Medicare.gov.
Related guides
- Medicaid vs Medicare
- Check what you qualify for
- Documents you need to apply
- SNAP food benefits guide
- Medicaid application guide
How to lower an IRMAA charge (2026)
If a higher Part B premium is due to IRMAA (an income-related add-on based on your tax return from two years earlier), you can ask Social Security to recalculate it after a life-changing event — marriage, divorce, work stoppage, or a large income drop.
- File form SSA-44 (“Medicare Income-Related Monthly Adjustment Amount – Life-Changing Event”) with proof, or call SSA at 1-800-772-1213.
- Get premium help: a Medicare Savings Program (through your state Medicaid office) can pay the standard Part B premium if your income is limited.
- Extra Help lowers Part D drug costs for the same income range.
Check your exact amount in your my Social Security account.
See also: Medicare Costs 2026: Part A, Part B, and Help Paying Premiums · Extra Help (Part D Low-Income Subsidy) in 2026: How to Apply · New York Benefits Guide
Last verified July 2026. Not a government agency — applying is free.