Turning 65 and starting Medicare? Your 7-month enrollment window starts now.
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Medicare & You 2027
The official CMS handbook, sent to your inbox instantly.
Medicare Readiness Assessment
Your Initial Enrollment Period, mapped out
Seven months, centered on your birthday month. Miss it, and late penalties can follow you for life. Here's exactly where you stand.
Working past 65 with employer coverage? Your timeline may be different. The Readiness Check accounts for that — it's the first question we ask.
What Is Medicare Part B? 2027 Costs & Coverage
Medicare Part B is the piece of Original Medicare that trips people up most. Here's what it actually covers, what it's confirmed to cost in 2026, and what's projected for 2027.
What Medicare Part B covers
Medicare Part B is the outpatient and medical insurance half of Original Medicare — Part A covers hospital stays, Part B covers everything else you'd normally see a doctor for. That includes:
- Doctor visits and outpatient specialist care
- Preventive care — screenings, vaccines, annual wellness visits
- Durable medical equipment, like walkers and wheelchairs
- Ambulance services and outpatient mental health care
After you meet your annual deductible, Original Medicare typically pays 80% of the Medicare-approved amount for these services — you're responsible for the remaining 20% coinsurance, unless you have supplemental coverage like a Medigap policy.
Medicare Part B costs: 2027 vs. 2026
| Item | 2027 (Projected) | 2026 (Confirmed) |
|---|---|---|
| Standard monthly premium | ~$209.50* | $202.90 |
| Annual deductible | ~$292* | $283 |
| Coinsurance (after deductible) | 20% | 20% |
| Highest income-adjusted premium (IRMAA) | Not yet set | up to $689.90/mo |
*2027 figures are projections from the 2026 Medicare Trustees Report (June 2026) — CMS has not yet finalized 2027 premiums or deductibles. The official 2027 rates are typically announced by CMS each November; confirmed 2026 figures are from the CMS 2026 Medicare Parts A & B Premiums and Deductibles fact sheet.
Most people pay the standard premium, deducted directly from Social Security. Individuals with a reported income above $109,000 (or $218,000 filing jointly) pay an Income-Related Monthly Adjustment Amount, or IRMAA, on top of the standard premium — 2027 IRMAA brackets won't be set until CMS's fall announcement.
Medicare Part B: frequently asked questions
What is Medicare Part B?
Medicare Part B is the part of Original Medicare that covers outpatient and medical services, such as doctor visits, outpatient procedures, preventive screenings, and durable medical equipment. It works alongside Medicare Part A, which covers hospital stays.
How much does Medicare Part B cost in 2027?
CMS has not yet finalized 2027 Medicare Part B costs; the official announcement is expected in November 2026. Based on the June 2026 Medicare Trustees Report, the standard monthly premium is projected at approximately $209.50, up from the confirmed 2026 premium of $202.90. The annual deductible is projected at approximately $292, up from the confirmed 2026 deductible of $283. These are estimates, not final numbers, and could change once CMS publishes its official 2027 rates.
What does Medicare Part B cover?
Medicare Part B generally covers medically necessary services, such as doctor visits, outpatient care, ambulance services, durable medical equipment, and mental health services, as well as preventive services like screenings, vaccines, and annual wellness visits. After you meet your deductible, Medicare typically pays 80% of the Medicare-approved amount, and you are responsible for the remaining 20% coinsurance unless you have supplemental coverage.
When do I need to enroll in Medicare Part B?
Most people should enroll during their 7-month Initial Enrollment Period, which starts 3 months before the month they turn 65 and ends 3 months after. If you delay enrollment without qualifying employer coverage, you may face a late enrollment penalty added to your premium for as long as you have Part B.
Is Medicare Part B mandatory?
No, but most people who are not still covered by an employer group health plan choose to enroll because Part B covers outpatient and medical care that Part A does not. Declining Part B without other qualifying coverage typically triggers a lifetime late enrollment penalty if you sign up later.
Want to know how Medicare Part B fits your specific situation — your income, your doctors, your medications?
Take the Free Readiness CheckTwo free resources, built for right now
No pressure, no sales pitch to sit through — just the information you need to make your own call.
Medicare Readiness Assessment
Five quick questions about your coverage, prescriptions, doctors, and budget. You'll get a personalized read on which path — Original Medicare, Medicare Advantage, or a Medigap plan — tends to fit people in your situation.
- Takes about 2 minutes, 5 questions
- Personalized report emailed to you
- Nobody calls you unless you ask
The Official Medicare & You 2027 Handbook
The government's own handbook, in full — every rule, deadline, and definition. We'll also flag the six pages first-time enrollees actually need to read first, so it doesn't sit unopened.
Get the HandbookWhat happens after you submit
Three steps. You stay in control of what happens after that.
Answer 5 quick questions
About your current coverage, prescriptions, preferred doctors, and budget. Takes about two minutes.
Get your report and the handbook
Both land in your inbox within minutes — your personalized readiness report and the full Medicare & You 2027 PDF.
Talk it through, if you want to
Book a free 20-minute call with a licensed agent, or call (855) 212-3808 directly. Entirely optional.
When are you turning 65 — or did you already?
This tells us where you sit in your enrollment window.
Are you still working?
Employer coverage can change your timeline and your options.
Do you take regular prescription medications?
This shapes whether drug coverage should drive your decision.
Do you have doctors or specialists you want to keep seeing?
Some plans limit you to a network; others don't.
What matters more to you day to day?
There's usually a trade-off between the two.
Where should we send your results?
Your Readiness Report and the Medicare & You 2027 handbook go here.
Here's your snapshot
We've also opened an email so your results reach a licensed agent directly.