The standard Medicare Part B monthly premium will be $110.50 in 2010. If you are currently enrolled in Medicare Part B will continue to pay $96.40 per month.

The Medicare Part B premium amounts for 2010 are determined by the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS). The premiums paid by beneficiaries enrolled in Medicare Part B cover physician services, outpatient hospital services, certain home health services, durable medical equipment and other items. For most beneficiaries, the government pays a substantial portion, 75 percent, of the Part B standard premium and the beneficiary pays the remaining 25 percent.

Most beneficiaries will continue to pay the standard premium. Since 2007, higher income beneficiaries have been paying a larger percentage of their Part B premium based on income they reported to the Internal Revenue Service (IRS). In 2009, a small number of beneficiaries with higher incomes (individuals with income exceeding $85,000 and married couples with income exceeding $170,000) will pay a monthly premium equal to 35, 50, 65 or 80 percent of the total cost, depending on what they reported to the IRS. However, the law affects less than 5 percent of Medicare beneficiaries, so most people will continue to pay the standard premium without an income-related adjustment. For information on the increase for other income levels, see Medicare Part B Monthly Premiums in 2010, a FAQ on the Medicare website.

For more information, see Social Security's publication, Medicare Part B Premiums: New Rules For Beneficiaries With Higher Incomes, call Social Security toll-free at 1-800-772-1213 (TTY 1-800-325-0778) or visit your local Social Security office.