Part B: the part every veteran program hinges on
Medicare Part B covers doctors, outpatient care, and medical equipment for $202.90 a month (standard, 2026) with a $283 deductible and 20% coinsurance — and it's the part veteran programs hinge on: required by TRICARE for Life and CHAMPVA, and the consequential keep-or-decline decision for veterans with VA Healthcare alone.
What Part B covers — and costs in 2026
Medical insurance: physician services, outpatient care, lab work, durable medical equipment, ambulance, and most preventive services. Under Original Medicare alone you pay the $283 annual deductible, then 20% of Medicare-approved amounts with no out-of-pocket cap — the gap that wraparounds (TFL, CHAMPVA) and Medigap exist to fill.
The premium — and IRMAA's surcharges
The standard premium is $202.90/month in 2026, usually deducted from Social Security. Higher incomes pay more under IRMAA, based on your tax return from two years prior (2024 income for 2026 premiums):
| 2024 MAGI — single | Married filing jointly | 2026 Part B premium |
|---|---|---|
| $109,000 or less | $218,000 or less | $202.90 |
| $109,001 – $137,000 | $218,001 – $274,000 | $284.10 |
| $137,001 – $171,000 | $274,001 – $342,000 | $405.80 |
| $171,001 – $205,000 | $342,001 – $410,000 | $527.50 |
| $205,001 – $499,999 | $410,001 – $749,999 | $649.20 |
| $500,000+ | $750,000+ | $689.90 |
These are cliffs, not slopes — one dollar over a threshold buys the whole tier. Military pension plus TSP withdrawals plus a working spouse reaches the first cliff more often than retirees expect, and a retirement-year income drop can be appealed with form SSA-44. VA disability compensation, notably, is not taxable income and doesn't count toward MAGI.
Veteran IRMAA calculator — what counts, what doesn't
2026 premiums are set by 2024 MAGI — the two-year lookback. Married-filing-separately uses different brackets. Income just dropped from retirement, a spouse's death, or another life event? Form SSA-44 can reset the surcharge.
Estimates for educational purposes only — not a quote, plan recommendation, or guarantee of benefits or costs. This website is not connected with or endorsed by the U.S. government or the federal Medicare program. For information on all of your options, contact Medicare.gov, 1-800-MEDICARE (TTY 1-877-486-2048), or your local State Health Insurance Assistance Program (SHIP).
Who needs Part B — the program-by-program answer
- TRICARE for Life: required. Declining B forfeits TFL — no exceptions.
- CHAMPVA: required once Medicare-eligible (the pre-2001 carve-out aside).
- VA Healthcare only: the genuine decision — VA care isn't creditable for B, the VA recommends keeping Medicare, and the full decision guide walks both sides honestly.
- Working past 65: employer coverage from a 20+ employee company is the one clean delay path, with an 8-month SEP afterward.
10% added to your premium for each full 12-month period without B (and without creditable coverage) after your Initial Enrollment Period — for life. The mechanics, with examples, live on the penalties page.
Your benefits mix is unique. A licensed agent can review how Medicare options coordinate with your VA, TRICARE for Life, or CHAMPVA coverage — at no cost and no obligation.
Talk to a Licensed AgentOr compare plans yourself at PlanMatch’s comparison tool, or contact Medicare.gov / 1-800-MEDICARE.
Frequently asked questions
How much is Medicare Part B in 2026?
Does VA disability compensation count toward IRMAA?
Do all veterans have to take Part B?
Can I appeal an IRMAA surcharge?
You earned these benefits. Make them work together.
Whether you keep exactly what you have or add Medicare coverage alongside it, the right answer depends on your health, budget, and how you like to get care.
No cost, no obligation. You can also get help from Medicare.gov, 1-800-MEDICARE (TTY 1-877-486-2048), or your local SHIP office.