Part B Premiums Are Rising Again — What That Means Alongside Your Supplement or Advantage Plan

Every fall, many Medicare beneficiaries open a letter—or notice a larger deduction from Social Security—and wonder: Did my Part B premium go up again?

You are not alone. Premium changes are normal; they do not mean your coverage is disappearing. This guide explains what is changing, what is still a projection, and how Part B fits with a Medicare Supplement (Medigap) or Medicare Advantage plan—especially for North Carolina and Southeast seniors.

What Is Medicare Part B, in Plain English?

Medicare Part B helps pay for doctor visits, outpatient care, preventive services, and many medical supplies—the “doctor and outpatient” side of Medicare, while Part A mainly covers hospital inpatient stays.

Almost everyone with Medicare pays a monthly Part B premium, often withheld from Social Security. You still owe Part B even with Medigap or Medicare Advantage—Part B is the foundation; other coverage builds on top. You may also face a Part B deductible—what you pay out of pocket for covered Part B services before Medicare starts sharing costs. Premiums and deductibles are set by CMS (Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services).

What’s Changing: Official 2026 Numbers vs. 2027 Projections

Separate what CMS has published from what is still an estimate.

2027: Still a projection—not an official CMS premium yet

CMS has not yet published the official 2027 Part B standard premium. The Medicare Trustees Report and consumer press have discussed a projected amount around $209.50 per month—roughly a few percent above 2026. That is a projection, not a final CMS rate.

CMS typically announces next year’s official figures around November. Until then, treat any 2027 dollar amount in the news as an estimate. The official number will appear on Medicare.gov.

Myth to set aside: “My premium always jumps by a huge amount.” Changes are often modest, and Social Security’s hold-harmless rules can limit how much some people’s net checks shrink because of Part B alone.

IRMAA in Plain English: Why Some People Pay More

IRMAA means Income-Related Monthly Adjustment Amount. In plain English: if your income from a couple of years ago was above certain thresholds, Medicare adds an extra amount on top of the standard Part B premium. Higher earners pay more; most people never see IRMAA.

For 2026, IRMAA generally starts when modified adjusted gross income (from tax returns two years prior) is above about $109,000 for an individual or $218,000 for a married couple filing jointly. Above those levels, Part B—and often Part D—costs more in steps as income rises.

• IRMAA uses older tax data, so a recent income drop may not show up right away.
• Retirement, marriage, divorce, or a spouse’s death can sometimes support a Social Security reconsideration—not a request to your plan insurer.
• IRMAA is separate from your Medigap or Advantage plan premium; it still ties to Part B (and Part D, if you have it).

What This Means If You Have Medigap vs. Medicare Advantage

Whether you keep Original Medicare plus a Supplement or enroll in Medicare Advantage, you generally still pay the Part B premium. A Part B increase sits alongside your other premiums—it does not replace them.

If you have a Medicare Supplement (Medigap)

With Medigap, you typically pay Part B to Medicare plus a separate premium to the Supplement company. Medigap helps with costs Original Medicare does not fully cover—deductibles, coinsurance, and copays, depending on your plan letter (for example, Plan G). A Part B increase does not automatically change Medigap benefits; your Supplement rate is set by the insurer.

If you have Medicare Advantage

With Medicare Advantage (Part C), you must still have Part A and Part B and pay the Part B premium. Some plans charge their own premium; others have a $0 plan premium. Extra benefits (dental, vision, OTC cards) do not cancel the federal Part B premium. Review your Annual Notice of Change each fall.

What You Can Do Before and During Annual Enrollment (Oct 15–Dec 7)

The Medicare Annual Enrollment Period (AEP) runs October 15 through December 7. Changes usually take effect January 1. For coverage starting January 1, 2027, AEP is October 15–December 7, 2026. You do not need to panic-shop because Part B edged up. A calm yearly checkup helps:

• Read your premium notice and Social Security deduction—confirm whether any change is Part B, IRMAA, Part D, or your private plan.
• Open your Advantage or Part D Annual Notice of Change; compare premiums, deductibles, drugs, and doctor networks.
• If you have Medigap, ask whether your Supplement rate is changing and what North Carolina (or your state’s) rules allow.
• Check prescriptions and pharmacies—drug costs often move even when Part B barely does.
• If IRMAA looks wrong or income fell for a qualifying reason, contact Social Security—not your Advantage carrier.
• Use AEP to switch Advantage or Part D if a better fit appears. Medigap rules after your first open window are often stricter—get guidance before dropping a Supplement.

Outside AEP, other enrollment periods can apply (for example, after a move). A licensed Medicare advisor can explain which window fits.

The Bottom Line

Part B premiums do rise over time. For 2026, the official standard premium is $202.90 a month and the deductible is $283—CMS-published numbers. For 2027, figures around $209.50 a month in the press are projections until CMS announces the official rate, typically around November.

Medigap or Medicare Advantage does not erase Part B—plan for Part B plus your private coverage. IRMAA can raise costs for higher earners, but most people pay the standard amount. AEP (October 15–December 7) is your main chance to adjust Advantage or drug coverage for January 1—without treating a modest Part B change as an emergency. Steady information beats scary headlines.