Medicare Part D
$109,000: the 2026 Medicare IRMAA line for Vancouver filers
Vancouver, Wash. — As Medicare's Annual Enrollment Period runs through Dec. 7, higher-income retirees in Clark County are getting a closer look at something that trips up a lot of people: the income-related monthly adjustment amount, or IRMAA. It's the surcharge Social Security adds to your Part B and Part D premiums when your income crosses certain lines. For 2026, those lines start at $109,000 for a single filer.
Compare Medicare options near you
Answer 3 quick questions to see Medicare Advantage, Medigap, and Part D listings from licensed insurance partners.
What’s your ZIP code?
Plan availability is set by your county, so we start here.
How old are you?
This helps match you with options you’re eligible for.
Do you have Medicare Parts A & B?
Most Medicare Advantage and Medigap options require both.
These listings are provided by licensed insurance partners.
Will your prescriptions still be covered in 2027?
Part D plans rewrite their drug lists every year — tiers move, pharmacies change, drugs drop off. One call checks your exact medications against the 2027 plans in your area.
- Every prescription checked, name by name
- Your pharmacy checked for preferred pricing
Available now — current wait: 0 min
A real person answers. No phone menu, ever.
Want to see more plan options?
Answer a few more questions to continue to additional options from licensed partners.
Continue →Advertising disclosure: MyMedicarePlans.org may be compensated when you contact a partner or licensed agent. Listings are not ranked or endorsed by us, and we do not recommend specific plans. You can also contact Medicare.gov, 1-800-MEDICARE, or your local SHIP.
Speak to a Licensed Insurance Agent
Click to call 855-729-3240
Key takeaways
- Medicare's Annual Enrollment Period runs through Dec. 7, and any changes made during this time start Jan. 1.
- IRMAA is a surcharge added to your Part B and Part D premiums when your income is above certain limits, and Social Security will send a letter if it applies to you.
- For 2026, the surcharge starts above $109,000 in income for a single filer and above $218,000 for a married couple filing jointly, based on your 2024 tax return.
- If a life-changing event like retirement, a spouse's death, or divorce lowered your income, you can file form SSA-44 with Social Security to ask them to use more recent income instead.
Here's a plain-language walk-through of how IRMAA works, what the 2026 thresholds look like, and where Vancouver residents can get personal help.
What IRMAA actually is
IRMAA isn't a separate bill. It's an extra amount added on top of your standard Part B premium and your Part D plan's premium, based on your income. Most people never pay it. But if your income is above the first threshold, Social Security will send a letter explaining the adjustment and how it was calculated.
One important detail: IRMAA for 2026 is based on your 2024 tax return — the most recent one the IRS has on file. So a good year two years ago can still affect what you pay next year.
The 2026 income thresholds
For 2026, the first IRMAA tier begins above $109,000 in modified adjusted gross income for a single filer, and above $218,000 for a married couple filing jointly. Income above those points is grouped into brackets, and each higher bracket adds a larger surcharge to both Part B and Part D.
If you file separately from a spouse and lived together during the year, the rules are stricter — the surcharge can kick in at a much lower income level.
The exact dollar amount of the surcharge at each tier is published by CMS at medicare.gov each fall.
What to do if your income has dropped
This is the part many people miss. If you had a "life-changing event" that lowered your income — retirement, a spouse's death, divorce, loss of pension income, or the sale of income-producing property — you can ask Social Security to use more recent income instead of your 2024 return.
The form is SSA-44, and you file it with the Social Security Administration. You don't have to just accept the letter if your situation has genuinely changed.
Why this matters right now in Vancouver
Vancouver is in Clark County, where Medicare beneficiaries have a wide range of Original Medicare, Medicare Advantage, and standalone Part D options to consider during Annual Enrollment. Because IRMAA affects Part B and Part D premiums specifically, it's worth factoring in when you compare drug coverage this fall.
A few other 2026 program facts worth keeping in mind as you plan:
- The Part D out-of-pocket cap is $2,100 in 2026. Once you hit it, you pay $0 for covered drugs the rest of the year.
- The Part D maximum deductible is $615.
- The old coverage gap ("donut hole") has been gone since 2025 — Part D now has three phases.
- The Medicare Prescription Payment Plan lets you spread your drug costs across the calendar year in monthly installments instead of paying big amounts upfront. It's optional and free to join.
Key dates to circle
- Oct. 15 – Dec. 7: Annual Enrollment Period. You can join, switch, or drop a Medicare Advantage or Part D plan.
- Jan. 1 – March 31: Medicare Advantage Open Enrollment. If you're already in a Medicare Advantage plan, you get one chance to switch to another MA plan or return to Original Medicare.
Changes made during AEP take effect Jan. 1.
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 Clark County
(MA penetration in Clark 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
2026 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 2026 surcharge is based on your 2024 tax return.
| 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
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.
Explore
When can you enroll? An interactive year
Enrollment windows are federal and the same nationwide. Confirm your personal dates at Medicare.gov or 1-800-MEDICARE.
Good to know
Frequently asked questions
Does IRMAA last forever?
I just got an IRMAA letter and I think it's wrong. What now?
Do IRMAA surcharges go to my Medicare Advantage plan?
- CMS — Medicare Part D program rules (medicare.gov)
For personalized answers, contact Medicare.gov, 1-800-MEDICARE, or your local SHIP.