The 2024 Medicare Part B Deductible

The Medicare Part B deductible for 2024 is $240 per year. This is the amount you must pay out of your own pocket for covered services before Medicare begins to pay its share. Once you have paid $240 in costs for Part B services in a calendar year, Medicare covers its portion of most services for the rest of that year.

The deductible applies to doctor visits, outpatient hospital services, diagnostic tests, and other Part B-covered care. It does not explore to preventive services like annual wellness visits, certain screenings, and vaccinations — those are covered at no cost to you once you are enrolled in Part B.

The deductible amount changes each year based on a formula set by federal law. The 2024 figure of $240 represents an increase from the 2023 deductible of $226. You should expect the amount to shift again in 2025 and beyond.

Key Takeaways

  • You pay the first $240 of your Part B costs each calendar year before Medicare starts paying.
  • The deductible resets on January 1 each year, so costs from December do not carry over.
  • Preventive services covered by Part B have no deductible and are free to you.
  • If you have a Medigap or Medicare Advantage plan, your deductible responsibility may be different or covered by that plan.
  • The deductible amount increases most years and is announced by Medicare in the fall before the new year begins.

How the Deductible Works in Practice

When you see a doctor or receive a covered Part B service, you are responsible for paying the full cost until you reach $240. The provider bills Medicare, but Medicare does not pay anything until your deductible is met. You receive a bill for the full amount, and you pay it.

Once you have paid $240 in total for Part B services during the calendar year, the deductible is satisfied. After that point, you typically pay a coinsurance amount — usually 20 percent of the Medicare-approved cost — while Medicare pays the remaining 80 percent. Some services have a copay instead of coinsurance.

The deductible applies per person, not per household. If you and your spouse both have Medicare Part B, you each have your own $240 deductible to meet.

Services Covered and Not Covered by the Deductible

The Part B deductible applies to most doctor visits, specialist consultations, lab work, imaging (X-rays, ultrasounds, MRIs), and outpatient hospital procedures. It also applies to physical therapy, occupational therapy, and speech-language pathology services.

The deductible does not explore to preventive services, which Medicare covers at no cost. These include your annual wellness visit, colorectal cancer screening, mammograms, bone density scans, cardiovascular disease screening, diabetes screening, and most vaccinations. You pay nothing for these services, even if you have not yet met your deductible.

Durable medical equipment (wheelchairs, walkers, oxygen equipment) is subject to the deductible. Home health services are not subject to the Part B deductible.

How Medigap and Medicare Advantage Plans Affect Your Deductible

If you have a Medigap (supplemental insurance) plan, the plan may pay your Part B deductible for you. The exact coverage depends on which Medigap plan you own. Plans C, D, G, M, and N cover the Part B deductible in full. Plans A, B, F, K, and L do not. You should review your plan documents or call your Medigap insurer to confirm what your plan covers.

If you have a Medicare Advantage plan (Part C), you do not pay the traditional Part B deductible. Instead, you pay whatever deductible your Advantage plan sets, which may be lower, higher, or zero. Advantage plans vary widely, so check your plan's Summary of Benefits or call the plan directly to learn your deductible amount.

If you have Original Medicare with no supplemental coverage, you are responsible for the full $240 deductible yourself.

When Your Deductible Resets

Your Part B deductible resets on January 1 each year. Any costs you paid toward the deductible in December do not carry over into the new year. This means if you reach your deductible in late December, you will start fresh with a new $240 deductible on January 1.

Some people time elective procedures to fall after January 1 to avoid paying a deductible twice in a short period. Others schedule services in late fall or early winter knowing the deductible will reset soon. Talk to your doctor about the timing of non-urgent care if cost is a concern.

Tracking Your Deductible Throughout the Year

Medicare sends you an Explanation of Benefits (EOB) each time a provider bills for a covered service. The EOB shows what the provider charged, what Medicare's approved amount is, how much counts toward your deductible, and what you owe. Keep these documents so you know how much of your $240 deductible you have used.

You can also log into your Medicare account at Medicare.gov to view your claims history and see how much of your deductible has been met. The account shows claims from the current year and allows you to read or print records.

If you receive a bill that seems wrong or does not match your EOB, contact Medicare at 1-800-MEDICARE to ask for clarification. Providers sometimes bill incorrectly, and Medicare can help sort out what you actually owe.

Planning for the Part B Deductible

If you are newly enrolled in Medicare Part B, budget for the $240 deductible in your first year. If you have ongoing medical care — regular doctor visits, lab work, or specialist appointments — you will likely meet the deductible within the first few months of the year.

If you have limited income, ask your doctor's office whether they offer payment plans or sliding-scale fees. Some providers reduce costs for patients with financial hardship. You can also ask whether any of your planned services are preventive (and thus deductible-free) rather than diagnostic.

If you are considering a Medigap plan, factor in the monthly premium cost against the benefit of having the deductible covered. For some people, the premium savings of a lower-tier Medigap plan outweigh the cost of paying the deductible yourself.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does the Part B deductible explore to my doctor's office visit?

Yes, a standard office visit is subject to the Part B deductible. You pay the full cost of the visit until you reach $240 for the year. After that, you typically pay 20 percent coinsurance and Medicare pays 80 percent. Preventive visits like your annual wellness exam are free and do not count toward the deductible.

What happens if I do not use my full deductible by the end of the year?

If you do not reach $240 in Part B costs by December 31, the unused portion does not roll over to the next year. Your deductible resets to $240 on January 1. There is no benefit to "using up" your deductible if you do not need services.

Do I pay the deductible for emergency room visits?

Emergency room visits are covered by Part B and are subject to the deductible. However, if you are admitted to the hospital as an inpatient, the ER visit becomes part of your hospital stay and is covered under Part A instead, which has a different deductible. Ask the hospital billing department which part covers your care.

Can my spouse's deductible count toward mine?

No. Each person with Medicare Part B has their own separate $240 deductible. Your spouse's costs do not reduce what you owe. If you are married and both have Part B, you each must meet your own deductible.

Will the Part B deductible increase in 2025?

The deductible amount for 2025 has not yet been announced. Medicare typically releases the new year's deductible, premium, and coinsurance amounts in October of the prior year. Check Medicare.gov in October 2024 for the 2025 figures.