The 2024 Medicare Part B Deductible

The Medicare Part B deductible for 2024 is $240. This is the amount you must pay out of your own pocket for covered services before Medicare starts to pay its share. Once you have paid $240 in charges for Part B services in a calendar year, Medicare covers 80 percent of most services, and you pay 20 percent.

The deductible resets on January 1 each year. If you reach your deductible in March, it does not carry over to next year — you start fresh at $240 on January 1, 2025. The deductible applies to doctor visits, outpatient hospital services, tests, and most other Part B covered care, but it does not explore to preventive services like annual wellness visits or certain screenings.

Part B is optional coverage for people 65 and older, and the monthly premium for 2024 ranges from $174.70 to $560.50 depending on your income. The deductible is separate from the premium — you pay both.

Key Takeaways

  • The 2024 Part B deductible is $240 per calendar year, and you must meet it before Medicare begins to share the cost of most services.
  • Once you reach $240 in out-of-pocket charges, Medicare covers 80 percent of most Part B services and you pay 20 percent for the rest of the year.
  • Preventive services such as wellness visits, cancer screenings, and vaccinations do not count toward the deductible and are covered at no cost to you.
  • The deductible resets every January 1, so charges from December do not reduce what you owe in the new year.
  • Part B also carries a monthly premium separate from the deductible, and both amounts increase slightly most years.

How the Deductible Works With Your 20 Percent Coinsurance

After you pay the $240 deductible, Medicare covers 80 percent of the approved amount for most Part B services. You then pay the remaining 20 percent, called coinsurance. This continues for the rest of the calendar year.

For example, if you see a doctor and the approved charge is $200, you pay the full $200 until you have paid $240 total. Once you have met the deductible, a $200 visit means Medicare pays $160 (80 percent) and you pay $40 (20 percent). There is no annual out-of-pocket maximum under Original Medicare Part B, so your 20 percent costs can add up if you need frequent care.

Some services, such as mental health visits and physical therapy, may have different cost-sharing rules. Durable medical equipment like wheelchairs or oxygen also follows the 20 percent coinsurance rule after the deductible is met.

Which Services Count Toward the Deductible

The $240 deductible applies to most Part B services: doctor office visits, specialist consultations, lab tests, X-rays, outpatient hospital procedures, and emergency room visits. Any charge for these services counts toward your deductible until you reach $240.

Services that do not count toward the deductible include preventive care visits (such as your annual wellness exam), cancer screenings (mammograms, colonoscopies, prostate cancer screening), flu shots, pneumonia vaccines, and bone density tests. These are covered at no cost to you, even before you meet the deductible. If you see your doctor for a preventive visit and also discuss a separate health problem during that same visit, the preventive portion is free, but any charges for treating the other problem count toward your deductible.

How the Deductible Differs From Your Part B Premium

The monthly Part B premium and the annual deductible are two separate costs. You pay the premium every month regardless of whether you use any services. The deductible is what you pay when you actually receive care.

In 2024, the standard Part B premium is $174.70 per month for most people, though it can be higher if your income is above certain thresholds. Over the course of a year, that is about $2,096 in premiums alone. On top of that, you must pay the $240 deductible before Medicare shares costs. If you use very little care, you may pay only the premium and deductible. If you use significant care, you will also pay 20 percent coinsurance on top of both.

When Your Deductible Resets and How to Track It

Your Part B deductible resets on January 1 each year. Charges you paid in December do not reduce what you owe in January. If you have already met your deductible by mid-year, you start over at $0 on January 1 of the next year.

To track your deductible, keep records of what you pay for Part B services throughout the year. Your Medicare Summary Notice (MSN), which you receive quarterly, shows how much you have paid toward your deductible. You can also log into your Medicare account at Medicare.gov to see your claims and deductible status. If you use a Medicare Advantage plan instead of Original Medicare, the deductible rules may be different — Advantage plans set their own deductibles, which can be higher or lower than $240.

How Deductibles Work if You Have Both Medicare and Other Insurance

If you have Medicare and another insurance plan — such as coverage through a former employer, a spouse's plan, or Medicaid — the rules for who pays first depend on the type of other insurance. Medicare is usually the primary payer, meaning it pays first. Your other insurance then pays its share of what Medicare does not cover.

However, if you have Medicaid in addition to Medicare, Medicaid may pay your Part B deductible and coinsurance in some states. If you have a retiree health plan from a former employer, that plan may also cover your deductible. Contact your other insurance provider to understand how they coordinate with Medicare. Do not assume your other insurance will cover the deductible — the rules vary widely by plan and state.

What Happens if You Do Not Have Part B

Part B is optional, but if you delay signing up after you become may be able to access at 65, you may face a permanent penalty on your premium. If you have other health coverage (such as an active employer plan) when you turn 65, you can delay Part B without penalty as long as you enroll within eight months of losing that coverage. Once you do enroll, your premium will be higher for life.

If you go without Part B and then need care, you will pay the full cost of doctor visits, tests, and outpatient services out of your own pocket. Original Medicare Part A (hospital insurance) alone does not cover these costs. Many people find that the Part B premium and deductible are worth the cost because Medicare covers 80 percent of most services after you meet the deductible.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does the Part B deductible explore to hospital stays?

No. Hospital stays are covered by Medicare Part A, which has its own separate deductible ($1,632 in 2024 for each benefit period). The Part B deductible applies only to doctor visits, outpatient services, and other non-hospital care covered by Part B.

Can I use a Health Savings Account to pay my Part B deductible?

Yes, if you have an HSA, you can withdraw funds to pay your Part B premium, deductible, and coinsurance. However, once you enroll in Medicare, you can no longer make new contributions to an HSA, though you can continue to withdraw from an existing account.

What if I see multiple doctors in one month — do I pay the deductible to each one?

No. The $240 deductible is annual, not per doctor. All your Part B charges for the entire year count toward the same $240 deductible. Once you have paid $240 total across all providers, Medicare begins to cover 80 percent of your remaining Part B services for that year.

Does the deductible increase every year?

Yes, the Part B deductible usually increases each year based on changes in healthcare costs. The 2024 deductible of $240 is higher than the 2023 deductible of $226. You can check Medicare.gov each October to see the deductible amount for the following year.

If I have a Medicare Advantage plan, is the deductible the same as Original Medicare?

No. Medicare Advantage plans (Part C) set their own deductibles, which vary by plan and insurer. Some Advantage plans have no deductible, while others have a deductible higher than $240. Check your plan documents or call your plan to find out your specific deductible.