Medicare Part D
2027 IRMAA in Spokane, WA: Part B and D Surcharges
Spokane, WA — If your income two years ago climbed above a certain line, your 2027 Medicare bill may look bigger than your neighbor's, even if you're on the same coverage. That's the work of IRMAA — the Income-Related Monthly Adjustment Amount — and the thresholds for next year are set to shift again.
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Click to call 855-729-3240Key takeaways
- IRMAA is an extra amount added to your Part B and Part D premiums if your income is above a certain level, and it is not a penalty.
- Your 2027 IRMAA will be based on your 2025 tax return, so a high-income year from the past can raise your Medicare costs now.
- If you had a life-changing event since 2024, like retirement or the death of a spouse, you can file form SSA-44 with Social Security to ask for a recalculation using more recent income.
- The Annual Enrollment Period runs October 15 to December 7, 2026, so it's a good time to check your income situation before coverage locks in for 2027.
Here in Spokane, where retirees often see income spikes from selling a home, cashing in stock, or taking a big IRA withdrawal, a quick look at the IRMAA rules can help you plan before enrollment closes on December 7.
What IRMAA actually is
IRMAA is not a penalty. It's an extra monthly amount added to your standard Part B premium and your Part D drug plan premium if your income is above a set level. The Social Security Administration handles the calculation and sends a letter if you owe it.
The tricky part: IRMAA for 2027 will be based on your 2025 tax return — the most recent one the IRS has shared with Social Security. So a good year two years ago can follow you into next year's Medicare bill.
The 2027 income thresholds
For 2026, IRMAA kicks in when your modified adjusted gross income (MAGI) is above:
- $109,000 for a single filer
- $218,000 for a married couple filing jointly
Below those numbers, you pay the standard Part B premium and no Part D surcharge. Above them, the extra amount climbs in five tiers, with the highest surcharges hitting single filers above $500,000 and couples above $750,000. Married-filing-separately has its own, tighter set of brackets.
The exact dollar amounts for each tier are published by CMS at Medicare.gov and by Social Security once the year's premiums are finalized.
Both Part B and Part D are affected
IRMAA is charged on two parts of Medicare:
1. Part B (doctor visits, outpatient care). The surcharge is added to your monthly Part B premium and usually taken out of your Social Security check. 2. Part D (prescription drugs). The surcharge is billed separately by Medicare, even if you pay your drug plan premium directly to a private insurer.
So if you enroll in a Medicare Advantage plan that includes drug coverage, you can still owe a Part D IRMAA on top of anything the plan charges.
Why the timing matters this year
A few 2027 changes make the IRMAA question more urgent for higher-income retirees:
- The new out-of-pocket cap ($2,100 in 2026, $2,400 in 2027) on Part D drug costs makes drug coverage more valuable — but a Part D IRMAA is still owed on top of the plan premium.
- The Part D maximum deductible is $615 for 2026 and $700 for 2027.
- The coverage gap (the old "donut hole") is gone, replaced by three simpler phases.
- The optional Medicare Prescription Payment Plan lets you spread drug costs across the year in level monthly amounts.
None of those changes reduce IRMAA itself, but they change the overall math of what your Medicare year will cost.
What to do if your income has dropped
If you had a "life-changing event" since 2024 — retirement, the death of a spouse, divorce, loss of a pension, or a work stoppage — you can ask Social Security to recalculate IRMAA using more recent income. The form is SSA-44, and you'll need documentation.
This is one of the most-missed savings opportunities for people who recently retired in Spokane County. If you stopped working in 2025 or 2026, you should not silently pay a 2027 surcharge based on your last full working year.
How to decide before December 7
The Annual Enrollment Period runs October 15 – December 7, 2026, and the Medicare Advantage Open Enrollment Period runs January 1 – March 31, 2027. Before you lock in coverage for 2027:
- Pull your 2024 tax return and check your MAGI against the thresholds above.
- If you're near a bracket, remember that going even one dollar over pushes you into the next tier.
- Consider whether a Roth conversion, big capital gain, or IRA distribution planned for this year could trigger a higher IRMAA in 2028.
- If a life-changing event has cut your income, plan to file SSA-44.
Spokane is in Spokane County, where beneficiaries have a range of stand-alone Part D and Medicare Advantage options during AEP. The number of plans available is set at the county level, and you can compare them side-by-side using the Plan Finder at Medicare.gov.
By the numbers
Medicare Part B premium, 2006–2026
The standard monthly Part B premium has climbed from $88.50 in 2006 to $202.90 in 2026. Hover any point for that year’s premium.
Source: CMS. Standard premium shown; in some hold-harmless years many existing enrollees paid less. Confirm at Medicare.gov.
By the numbers
How people get Medicare in Spokane County
(MA penetration in Spokane County)
MA penetration from CMS enrollment data; Medigap share is an estimate. U.S. average is about 54% Medicare Advantage. These are area-level figures, not plan-specific.
Higher-income surcharges
2027 IRMAA income brackets
If your income is above a threshold, you pay an income-related surcharge (IRMAA) on top of your Part B and Part D premiums. Your 2027 surcharge will be based on your 2025 tax return. CMS publishes the 2027 brackets and surcharge amounts later in the fall; the 2026 figures below are shown for reference.
| Income — single filer | Income — married, joint | Part B monthly premium | Part D surcharge |
|---|---|---|---|
| $109,000 or less | $218,000 or less | $202.90 | Plan premium only |
| $109,001 – $137,000 | $218,001 – $274,000 | $284.10 | + $14.50 |
| $137,001 – $171,000 | $274,001 – $342,000 | $405.80 | + $37.40 |
| $171,001 – $205,000 | $342,001 – $410,000 | $527.50 | + $60.40 |
| $205,001 – $500,000 | $410,001 – $750,000 | $649.30 | + $83.30 |
| Above $500,000 | Above $750,000 | $689.90 | + $91.00 |
Standard Part B premium is $202.90/month. Part D surcharges are added to your drug plan’s premium. Married-filing-separately uses a different, compressed schedule. Confirm current amounts at Medicare.gov.
Try it
Find your 2026 Medicare premium
Most people pay the standard Part B premium. If your 2024 income was higher, an income-related surcharge (IRMAA) applies. Enter your details to see your bracket.
Surcharges are added to your premiums and based on your 2024 tax return. Married-filing-separately uses a different schedule. Confirm at Medicare.gov.
Try it
How the 2026 Part D drug cap works
Slide to your estimated yearly prescription costs and see how the new $2,100 out-of-pocket cap protects you. This illustrates the standard Part D benefit; your plan may structure costs differently.
Once your out-of-pocket spending on covered drugs reaches $2,100, you pay nothing more for the rest of 2026. Confirm details at Medicare.gov.
Good to know
Frequently asked questions
Q: I just got a Social Security letter saying I owe IRMAA. Can I appeal?
Q: Does IRMAA go away once my income drops?
Q: If I pick a Medicare Advantage plan with drug coverage, do I still pay a Part D IRMAA?
- CMS — Medicare costs & IRMAA (medicare.gov)
For personalized answers, contact Medicare.gov, 1-800-MEDICARE, or your local SHIP.