How to Pay Your Medicare Premium: Bills, Due Dates and Payment Options
Reviewed October 2, 2026. You can pay a Medicare premium bill four ways: online through your Medicare account, automatically with Medicare Easy Pay, through your bank’s online bill pay, or by mailing a check, money order or card payment to the Medicare Premium Collection Center in St. Louis. Most people never get a bill because their Part B premium is taken out of their Social Security or Railroad Retirement Board (RRB) benefit. If you do get one, every Medicare bill is due on the 25th of the month.
Quick answer: The fastest way to pay is to log in to your account at Medicare.gov and choose “Pay my premium.” To stop worrying about due dates, sign up for Medicare Easy Pay so the premium is drafted from your checking or savings account each month. If you pay by mail, send it to Medicare Premium Collection Center, PO Box 790355, St. Louis, MO 63179-0355, at least 5 business days before the due date.
Who gets a Medicare premium bill?
Medicare.gov says most people have their Part B premium deducted automatically from their Social Security benefit (or RRB benefit). You’ll usually get a bill from Medicare instead if:
- You have Medicare but aren’t collecting Social Security or RRB benefits yet, which is common if you’re working past 65 or delaying retirement benefits.
- You pay a premium for Part A because you or your spouse didn’t work long enough.
- You owe the Part D income-related monthly adjustment amount (IRMAA) and it isn’t being withheld from a benefit.
- Your benefit isn’t large enough to cover the full premium.
If you’re still working and have employer coverage, read Working past 65 before you decide whether you need Part B at all.
How often Medicare bills you
| What you’re paying | How often you’re billed |
|---|---|
| Part B premium only | Every 3 months |
| Part A premium | Every month |
| Part D IRMAA | Every month |
Because Part B-only bills come every 3 months, your first bill can look larger than you expect: it may cover three months of premiums at once. That isn’t an error. You can pay the full amount or pay what you can and pay the rest with the next bill, but anything unpaid carries forward as a past-due amount.
4 ways to pay your Medicare premium
1. Online with your Medicare account
Log in to (or create) your secure account at Medicare.gov and select “Pay my premium.” Medicare.gov calls this “the fastest way to pay your premium.” You can pay with a credit card, debit card, HSA card or from a checking or savings account. Have your bill handy so you can confirm the amount due.
2. Medicare Easy Pay (automatic payments)
Medicare Easy Pay is a free service that automatically deducts your premium from a savings or checking account each month. You can sign up in your Medicare account or by mailing form SF-5510, the Authorization Agreement for Preauthorized Payments. It can take a while to start, so keep paying your bills until your bill shows that Easy Pay is active.
3. Your bank’s online bill pay
You can set up Medicare as a payee in your bank’s bill pay service. Use the account number and payment address printed on your bill. Medicare.gov notes that some banks charge a service fee for this.
4. By mail to the Medicare Premium Collection Center
Mail the payment coupon from your bill with a check, money order, or your credit card, debit card or HSA card information to:
Medicare Premium Collection Center
PO Box 790355
St. Louis, MO 63179-0355
Write your Medicare number on your check or money order, and mail it at least 5 business days before the 25th so it posts on time.
2026 Medicare premium amounts
| Premium | 2026 amount | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Part B standard premium | $202.90 a month | CMS |
| Part B deductible | $283 a year | CMS |
| Part A premium (30 to 39 quarters of work) | $311 a month | CMS |
| Part A premium (fewer than 30 quarters) | $565 a month | CMS |
| Part A hospital deductible | $1,736 per benefit period | CMS |
Most people get premium-free Part A. Higher earners pay more for Part B and Part D through IRMAA; see our 2026 IRMAA brackets and the full 2026 Medicare costs table. CMS normally announces the next year’s Part B premium in the fall; we’ll update this page when the 2027 amounts are published.
What happens if you don’t pay your Medicare bill?
Unpaid amounts are added to your next bill as past due. Medicare.gov’s warning is direct: “If you get a Medicare premium bill that says ‘Delinquent Bill’ at the top, pay the total amount due, or you’ll lose your Medicare coverage.” If you can’t pay, act before that point:
- Call 1-800-MEDICARE (1-800-633-4227; TTY 1-877-486-2048) to ask about your bill.
- Check whether you qualify for a Medicare Savings Program through your state Medicaid office. These programs can pay your Part B premium.
- If you have limited income, apply for Extra Help with drug costs through Social Security.
Medicare Advantage, Part D and Medigap premiums are paid separately
The bill from Medicare covers only Part A, Part B and Part D IRMAA. If you have a Medicare Advantage plan, a Part D drug plan or a Medigap policy, that company bills you for its own premium. Many plans let you have the plan premium withheld from your Social Security check; ask the plan. Missing a Part D premium can lead to disenrollment, and a gap in drug coverage can trigger the Part D late enrollment penalty.
Tips for your first Medicare bill
- Check the months covered. A first bill often includes more than one month.
- Keep your address current. Bills go to the address Social Security has on file. See how to change your address with Social Security.
- Switch to automatic payments. Easy Pay removes the risk of a missed due date.
- Ask about employer help. Some employers can reimburse premiums; see Can my employer pay my Medicare premiums?
- Watch for late penalties. Signing up late for Part B can add a lifetime penalty to your premium. Our turning 65 checklist walks through the deadlines.
Frequently asked questions
Where do I mail my Medicare premium payment?
Medicare Premium Collection Center, PO Box 790355, St. Louis, MO 63179-0355. Include the payment coupon from your bill.
When is my Medicare premium due?
All Medicare bills are due on the 25th of the month. Medicare.gov recommends paying at least 5 business days early.
Can I pay my Medicare premium with a credit card?
Yes. You can pay by credit or debit card online through your Medicare account or by filling in the card section of the payment coupon and mailing it.
Why did I get a Medicare bill when I have Social Security?
Usually because your benefits haven’t started yet, you owe a premium that isn’t being withheld (such as a Part A premium or Part D IRMAA), or your benefit didn’t cover the full amount. Call 1-800-MEDICARE or Social Security at 1-800-772-1213 to check.
Is the Medicare premium bill a scam?
Real bills come from Medicare and list your Medicare account, Easy Pay, bank bill pay or the Medicare Premium Collection Center as payment options. If you’re unsure about a bill or a call, log in to your Medicare account or call 1-800-MEDICARE using the number on the back of your card.
Medicare365 is not affiliated with or endorsed by the U.S. government or the federal Medicare program. This article is general information, not individual financial advice.
Official sources
- Medicare.gov: Pay premiums
- CMS: 2026 Medicare Parts A and B premiums and deductibles
- Medicare.gov: Medicare Costs 2026 (publication 11579)
- Social Security: Request to lower IRMAA
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