Key Takeaways

• In 2025, the standard Medicare Part B monthly premium is $185, and it continues to increase annually—making it essential to understand what you’re actually paying for.

• The value you receive from Medicare Part B depends on how often you use outpatient care, the types of services you need, and whether you’ve coordinated it with other coverage.

What You Pay in 2025 for Part B

Medicare Part B covers your outpatient medical services, including doctor visits, diagnostic tests, preventive care, durable medical equipment, and certain medications administered in a clinical setting. But in return, you pay monthly premiums, an annual deductible, and typically 20% coinsurance after the deductible.

For 2025:

• The standard monthly premium is $185.

• The annual deductible is $257.

• You generally pay 20% coinsurance for most services once the deductible is met.

Higher-income enrollees pay an Income-Related Monthly Adjustment Amount (IRMAA). These adjustments can push monthly premiums significantly higher based on your income from two years ago.

Premium Increases Aren’t New—But the Rate Is Rising

Medicare Part B premiums tend to rise each year, but the pace has become more noticeable. Compared to 2024, the premium in 2025 rose by about 6.3%. Over the past decade, this trend has continued with few exceptions. Premium growth is influenced by factors such as:

• Rising healthcare costs

• Higher utilization of outpatient services

• New Medicare-covered technologies and medications

You can’t avoid these premium increases entirely unless you qualify for specific assistance programs. So the question becomes: Are you getting enough value in return for what you pay?

Services Covered by Part B in 2025

Understanding what Medicare Part B covers helps you evaluate whether you’re receiving enough value. In 2025, Part B includes:

• Preventive Services: Annual wellness visits, cancer screenings, flu and pneumonia vaccines, cardiovascular screenings, and more.

• Outpatient Services: Doctor visits, outpatient surgeries, urgent care, and emergency department services that don’t lead to inpatient admission.

• Diagnostic Tests: MRIs, CT scans, X-rays, blood tests, and lab work.

• Mental Health Services: Outpatient counseling, psychiatric evaluations, and partial hospitalization.

• Durable Medical Equipment (DME): Walkers, wheelchairs, oxygen equipment, and more.

• Medications Administered in a Doctor’s Office: Such as chemotherapy, injections, or IV medications.

These services add up in both volume and value—especially if you use them frequently or need ongoing care for chronic conditions.

Are You Actually Using These Benefits?

The value of your Part B premium depends on how often you use the services it covers. Ask yourself:

• Have you seen your doctor in the past 6 months?

• Did you receive preventive care like screenings or vaccines this year?

• Do you manage chronic conditions requiring regular visits or diagnostic tests?

If the answer is yes to many of these questions, your premium may be delivering solid value. If the answer is no, you might be paying for benefits you’re not using—which could signal it’s time to reassess how your coverage aligns with your healthcare needs.

How Coordination With Other Coverage Affects Value

If you have other health coverage—such as employer insurance, retiree plans, or Veterans benefits—Part B might serve as either your primary or secondary payer. This coordination can influence both cost and value.

Here’s how it matters:

• If Medicare is primary, you rely on Part B for most outpatient coverage.

• If Medicare is secondary, your primary plan pays first, and Medicare picks up part of the remainder.

In both cases, paying the full Part B premium could make sense—if you’re getting a financial benefit from the coordination. If your primary insurance already covers most services and Medicare contributes little, you may not be seeing full value.

What Happens If You Delay Part B Enrollment

You might consider skipping Part B if you have other coverage. But delaying enrollment when you don’t have qualifying coverage can lead to:

• A 10% penalty for every 12-month period you were eligible but didn’t enroll

• Lifetime penalties that increase your monthly premiums permanently

• Gaps in coverage if your other insurance ends unexpectedly

In 2025, Medicare enforces these penalties strictly. If you delayed Part B in previous years without valid coverage, you could be paying more than necessary now—without getting more value in return.

Are You Eligible for Help Paying Part B Costs?

Some people qualify for help paying their premiums, deductibles, or coinsurance through Medicare Savings Programs (MSPs). These programs are state-administered and often underutilized.

There are four main MSPs in 2025:

• Qualified Medicare Beneficiary (QMB)

• Specified Low-Income Medicare Beneficiary (SLMB)

• Qualifying Individual (QI)

• Qualified Disabled and Working Individuals (QDWI)

If your income and assets fall below a certain level, these programs can pay your Part B premium—and in some cases, your out-of-pocket costs as well. That instantly boosts the value you get from Part B because you’re no longer paying the full premium yourself.

Are You Using the Annual Wellness Visit?

The Medicare Annual Wellness Visit is one of the most underused Part B benefits. In 2025, it remains completely covered with no coinsurance or deductible if provided by a participating provider.

This visit includes:

• A health risk assessment

• Review of your medical and family history

• Development of a personalized prevention plan

• Cognitive impairment screening

Skipping this visit means missing out on early detection and preventive strategies, which can reduce future medical expenses. If you aren’t using it, you’re missing out on part of what your premium pays for.

Comparing Value Across Different Coverage Setups

Whether you receive strong value from your Part B coverage also depends on how you’ve structured the rest of your Medicare. For example:

• If you’ve paired Part B with a Medicare Supplement plan, your out-of-pocket costs may be much lower when using outpatient services.

• If you only have Original Medicare (Part A and B), you may feel the burden of coinsurance more acutely.

Coordinating Part B effectively with other options often enhances the total value of your healthcare—though the structure should match your needs, not just your budget.

When Should You Reevaluate Your Coverage?

You should reassess your Medicare coverage annually—especially during the Medicare Open Enrollment Period (October 15 to December 7). During this time, you can:

• Compare different Medicare coverage options

• Make changes to your drug coverage or supplemental insurance

• Reassess whether you’re using your Part B benefits effectively

Even outside of Open Enrollment, life changes—like a new diagnosis, moving, or retiring—can affect the value you get from Part B. Take time to reflect on how well your current coverage supports your actual healthcare needs.

The Real Value Behind the Premium

At its core, Medicare Part B is not just a monthly charge—it’s an investment in accessible outpatient healthcare. But that investment only pays off when you actively use and understand the services available to you.

Keep in mind:

• You pay the premium whether you use the services or not.

• Preventive services can reduce long-term healthcare costs.

• Premiums increase each year, so reassessing value annually is smart.

If you’re not seeing enough return from what you pay, it might be time to:

• Ask questions during doctor visits about what Medicare covers.

• Schedule preventive screenings and wellness checkups.

• Coordinate your Medicare Part B benefits with other types of coverage.

Time to Evaluate What You’re Paying For

You shouldn’t treat your Medicare Part B premium as a fixed cost with no say in return. The more actively you use what Part B offers—from wellness visits to outpatient care—the more value you receive.

As costs increase, staying informed and engaged becomes essential. Review your current usage, coordination with other coverage, and eligibility for savings programs. If you’re unsure where to start, get in touch with a licensed agent listed on this website for tailored guidance.