Medicare provides vital healthcare coverage for tens of millions of Americans. But even though most people have been paying payroll taxes to help support the program throughout their working lives, Medicare isn't free. And every year, many people turning 65 find out about a little-known provision that can make Medicare a lot more expensive.

Deep in the laws governing Medicare is a revenue generator known as the income-related monthly adjustment amount. Also known by its acronym, IRMAA, this provision makes retirees and other Medicare recipients above certain income limits pay extra for their monthly coverage. Here's some information on the details of IRMAA, along with some ways you can try to avoid it.

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