The 2025 Medicare deductible amounts

In 2025, the Part A deductible (hospital insurance) is $1,676 per benefit period. The Part B deductible (medical insurance) is $240 per year. Part D (prescription drug coverage) deductibles vary by plan, ranging from $0 to several hundred dollars depending on which plan you choose.

These amounts change every year. The Part A and Part B figures are set by Medicare and announced in the fall for the following year. Part D deductibles are set by each insurance company offering the plan, so two plans may have very different amounts even though they are both Part D plans.

A deductible is the amount you pay out of your own pocket before Medicare or your plan starts to pay. Once you meet the deductible, you typically pay a copay or coinsurance (a percentage of the cost) for services, though some preventive care is covered at no cost.

Key Takeaways

  • Part A deductible for 2025 is $1,676 per benefit period, which covers up to 60 days in a hospital.
  • Part B deductible for 2025 is $240 per year, after which Medicare pays 80% of approved services and you pay 20%.
  • Part D drug plan deductibles are set by each insurance company and can range from $0 to over $500 depending on the plan you choose.
  • Medigap and Medicare Advantage plans may have different deductibles than Original Medicare, so comparing plans matters if you are shopping.

How Part A deductible works

Part A covers hospital stays, skilled nursing facility care, hospice, and some home health services. When you are admitted to a hospital, you pay the $1,676 deductible for the first 60 days of that hospital stay in a single benefit period.

A benefit period starts the day you enter the hospital and ends 60 days after you leave. If you go back into the hospital more than 60 days later, a new benefit period begins and you owe another $1,676 deductible. If you return within 60 days, you are still in the same benefit period and do not owe another deductible — but you do pay a daily coinsurance amount ($419 per day in 2025 for days 61–90).

If you have a Medigap policy, it may pay your Part A deductible for you, depending on which Medigap plan you own. If you have Medicare Advantage, your deductible may be lower or higher than $1,676, and the rules may differ.

How Part B deductible works

Part B covers doctor visits, outpatient services, medical equipment, and some preventive care. You pay the $240 deductible once per calendar year (January through December). After you meet it, Medicare pays 80% of the approved amount for most services, and you pay 20%.

Some services do not count toward your Part B deductible. Preventive care — such as annual wellness visits, cancer screenings, and vaccinations — is covered at no cost, and you do not pay the deductible for these visits. However, if your doctor finds a problem during a preventive visit and performs a diagnostic test or treatment, that service may be subject to the deductible.

If you have a Medigap policy, it typically covers your Part B deductible and coinsurance, so you may owe little or nothing out of pocket. Medicare Advantage plans often have lower Part B deductibles but may have higher copays or coinsurance for specific services.

Part D prescription drug deductible

Part D deductibles are not set by Medicare — each insurance company decides the deductible for its own plans. In 2025, some plans have a $0 deductible, while others charge $50, $100, $200, or more. The maximum deductible allowed is set by law, but most plans fall well below that limit.

Once you meet your plan's deductible, you move into the "initial coverage stage," where you typically pay a copay or coinsurance for each prescription. The amount depends on the drug's tier (how the plan categorizes it) and your plan's cost-sharing structure.

If you take many medications or expensive drugs, comparing Part D plans during the annual enrollment period (October 15 to December 7) can save you hundreds of dollars. A plan with a higher deductible might have lower copays, or vice versa. Using the Medicare Plan Finder tool on Medicare.gov lets you enter your current medications and see which plans cost the least for your specific prescriptions.

Medigap and Medicare Advantage deductibles

If you have a Medigap policy (supplemental insurance), your deductible situation depends on which plan letter you own. Most Medigap plans cover your Part A and Part B deductibles entirely, meaning you pay nothing out of pocket for those deductibles. However, you pay a monthly premium to Medigap, and that premium varies by age, location, and the plan you choose.

If you have Medicare Advantage, you are enrolled in a private plan instead of Original Medicare. Medicare Advantage plans set their own deductibles, which may be $0, lower than Original Medicare, or higher. Some Medicare Advantage plans have no deductible for in-network services but charge a deductible for out-of-network care. You also pay a monthly premium (though many plans charge $0 premium) and may face higher copays or coinsurance than Original Medicare.

The trade-off is that Medicare Advantage plans often include dental, vision, and hearing coverage that Original Medicare does not, and they cap your out-of-pocket spending. In 2025, the out-of-pocket maximum for Medicare Advantage plans is capped by law, so your total spending is predictable.

When deductibles reset and what counts toward them

Part B deductibles reset on January 1 each year. If you meet your $240 deductible in March, you do not owe another one until January 1 of the next year. Part A deductibles reset when a new benefit period begins, which happens 60 days after you leave the hospital.

Not all medical expenses count toward your deductible. Preventive services covered at no cost do not count. If you see an out-of-network provider under Original Medicare, their charges may not count toward your deductible in the same way. If you have Medicare Advantage, only services from in-network providers typically count toward your deductible unless you have an emergency.

Keeping track of what you have paid toward your deductible helps you know when you will start seeing Medicare's share of costs. You can check your deductible status on your Medicare.gov account or by calling the number on your Medicare card.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I have to pay the deductible if I only see my doctor for preventive care?

No. Preventive services like annual wellness visits, cancer screenings, and flu shots are covered at no cost under Part B, and you do not pay the deductible for them. However, if your doctor diagnoses a problem during that visit and performs a diagnostic test or treatment, that service may be subject to the deductible.

What happens if I switch from Original Medicare to Medicare Advantage mid-year?

If you switch plans, your deductible resets with your new plan. Any deductible you paid toward Original Medicare does not carry over to your Medicare Advantage plan. The timing of your switch matters, so contact your new plan to understand how your deductible will work in the remainder of that year.

Can I see what my Part D deductible is before I enroll?

Yes. The Medicare Plan Finder tool on Medicare.gov shows the deductible for each Part D plan available in your area. You can also call plans directly to ask about their deductibles and how they explore to your specific medications.

Does my Medigap plan cover my Part D deductible?

No. Medigap covers Part A and Part B deductibles and coinsurance, but it does not cover Part D. Your Part D plan's deductible is separate, and you pay it according to your Part D plan's rules.

What if I cannot afford to pay my deductible?

If you have limited income, you may be may be able to access for the Medicare Savings Program or Extra Help (for Part D costs). These programs are run by your state and can help pay deductibles and other out-of-pocket costs. Contact your state Medicaid office or call 1-800-MEDICARE to learn whether you may have access to.