The Part B Deductible for 2024

The Medicare Part B deductible is the amount you must pay for covered doctor visits and outpatient services before Medicare starts to pay its share. For 2024, that deductible is $240 per year. Once you have paid $240 out of pocket for Part B services in a calendar year, Medicare covers its portion of your bills for the rest of that year.

The deductible resets on January 1 each year. This means if you reach your $240 deductible in March, you start fresh in January of the next year. The deductible applies to most outpatient services — doctor office visits, lab work, X-rays, and other diagnostic tests — but not to all Part B services. Some preventive care, like annual wellness visits and certain screenings, do not count toward the deductible.

The Part B deductible amount changes each year based on inflation. It has risen steadily over the past decade, so the amount you pay in 2025 and beyond will likely be higher than $240. You can check the current year's deductible on Medicare.gov or by calling 1-800-MEDICARE.

Key Takeaways

  • The 2024 Part B deductible is $240 per calendar year, and you must meet this before Medicare pays for most outpatient services.
  • The deductible covers doctor visits, lab tests, imaging, and other outpatient care, but preventive services like wellness visits are often exempt.
  • Once you reach $240 in out-of-pocket costs, Medicare pays its share (usually 80 percent) for the rest of the year.
  • The deductible resets every January 1, so costs from December do not carry over to the next year.
  • The deductible amount increases most years to account for inflation, so check the current figure before your calendar year begins.

How the Deductible Works With Coinsurance

After you pay the $240 deductible, Medicare does not cover 100 percent of your bills. You then pay coinsurance, which is typically 20 percent of the cost of the service, while Medicare pays 80 percent. This coinsurance continues for the rest of the year with no upper limit — there is no out-of-pocket maximum under Original Medicare Part B.

For example, if you see your doctor in January and the visit costs $150, you pay the full $150 until you reach your $240 deductible. In February, you have another visit that costs $100. You now have paid $250 total, so you have met your deductible. Medicare now pays 80 percent of that $100 visit ($80), and you pay 20 percent ($20). For the rest of the year, you continue to pay 20 percent coinsurance on any Part B service.

If you have a Medigap policy (supplemental insurance), it may cover your deductible and coinsurance, depending on which plan you choose. If you have a Medicare Advantage plan (Part C), the deductible rules are different — your plan sets its own deductible amount, which may be lower, higher, or zero.

Services Covered and Not Covered by the Part B Deductible

The Part B deductible applies to most outpatient services you receive from doctors, hospitals, and other providers. This includes office visits, emergency room visits, urgent care, lab tests, imaging (X-rays, CT scans, MRIs), physical therapy, and durable medical equipment like wheelchairs or oxygen. Once you meet the deductible, Medicare pays 80 percent of the approved amount for these services.

Some services do not count toward your deductible and are covered differently. Preventive services — such as your annual wellness visit, cancer screenings, cardiovascular screenings, and certain vaccinations — are covered at no cost to you, with no deductible required. Mental health services are covered at 80 percent after you meet your deductible, the same as other outpatient care.

Part B does not cover dental care, vision exams, hearing aids, or routine foot care (unless you have diabetes). These services are not subject to the Part B deductible because they are not covered at all under Original Medicare. If you need these services, you must pay out of pocket or purchase a separate policy.

How to Track Your Deductible Throughout the Year

Medicare sends you an Explanation of Benefits (EOB) after each service you receive. This document shows what the provider charged, what Medicare approved, what you owe, and how much of your deductible you have used. Keep these EOBs in a folder so you can track your progress toward the $240 deductible.

You can also check your deductible status online through your Medicare.gov account. Log in with your username and password, go to "Claims," and you will see a summary of services you have received and what you have paid. This tool updates a few days after your provider submits a claim, so there may be a short delay.

If you use multiple providers or receive services at different times, it is straightforward to lose track. Some people reach their deductible early in the year without realizing it, which means they miss the chance to have Medicare cover 80 percent of services for the rest of the year. Checking your EOBs or your online account every few months helps you stay aware of where you stand.

Part B Deductible vs. Part A Deductible

Medicare Part A (hospital insurance) has its own separate deductible, which is different from the Part B deductible. The Part A deductible for 2024 is $1,632 per benefit period and applies to inpatient hospital stays, skilled nursing facility care, and hospice. The Part B deductible of $240 does not count toward your Part A deductible, and vice versa.

If you are admitted to the hospital, you pay the Part A deductible ($1,632) for your first 60 days of care. If you then see your doctor as an outpatient, you pay the Part B deductible ($240) separately. The two deductibles are independent, so you could end up paying both in the same year if you have both inpatient and outpatient services.

If you have a Medigap or Medicare Advantage plan, the plan may cover both deductibles or only one, depending on the plan type. Review your plan documents or call your plan to understand how your deductibles work.

What Happens if You Do Not Meet Your Deductible by Year End

If you do not reach the $240 deductible by December 31, the unused portion does not roll over to the next year. On January 1, your deductible resets to $240 again. This means if you only paid $100 toward your deductible in 2024, that $100 does not count in 2025 — you start from zero.

Some people intentionally delay non-urgent services until after January 1 to start fresh with a new deductible, especially if they have already met it late in the year and know they will not receive many more services before year end. Others schedule services in December to use up their deductible before it resets. The strategy depends on your health needs and your provider's availability.

If you are unsure whether a service is urgent or can wait, talk to your doctor. Do not delay necessary care just to manage your deductible — your health comes first.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does the Part B deductible explore to prescription drugs?

No. Prescription drugs are covered under Medicare Part D, which has its own separate deductible. The Part B deductible of $240 applies only to doctor visits, lab work, imaging, and other outpatient services. If you take prescription medications, you will have a Part D deductible in addition to your Part B deductible.

If I have Medicare Advantage, do I still pay the $240 Part B deductible?

No. Medicare Advantage plans (Part C) replace Original Medicare, so the $240 Part B deductible does not explore. Instead, your Medicare Advantage plan sets its own deductible, which may be $0, lower than $240, or higher. Check your plan's Summary of Benefits or call the plan to find out your deductible amount.

What if I see a provider who does not accept Medicare?

If a provider does not accept Medicare assignment, you may owe more than the standard coinsurance. Medicare will not count these charges toward your Part B deductible. To avoid surprise bills, ask your provider before your visit whether they accept Medicare and at what rate.

Can I pay my Part B deductible all at once instead of spreading it out?

You cannot pay the deductible directly to Medicare. You pay it through your medical bills as you receive services. Once your providers' bills add up to $240, you have met the deductible for that year. If you want to manage your costs, you can schedule services early in the year to meet the deductible quickly, then benefit from 80 percent coverage for the rest of the year.

Does my Medigap plan cover the Part B deductible?

Some Medigap plans cover the Part B deductible, and some do not. Plans F and G typically cover it, while other plans may not. Review your Medigap plan's coverage details or contact your insurance company to confirm whether your deductible is covered.