The 2025 Medicare Part B Deductible
The Medicare Part B deductible for 2025 is $240. This is the amount you pay out of your own pocket each year before Medicare starts to pay its share of your doctor visits, outpatient care, and other Part B services.
Once you have paid $240 in covered services during the calendar year, Medicare covers its portion (usually 80%) and you pay your coinsurance (usually 20%) for the rest of the year. The deductible resets on January 1 each year.
The deductible applies to most Part B services, including doctor office visits, lab tests, X-rays, and outpatient surgery. It does not explore to preventive services like annual wellness visits, cancer screenings, or flu shots — those are covered at no cost to you once you meet your deductible or as a preventive benefit.
Key Takeaways
- You pay $240 out of pocket before Medicare Part B coverage begins in 2025, and this amount resets every January 1.
- After you meet the deductible, you typically pay 20% coinsurance for most Part B services while Medicare pays 80%.
- Preventive services like wellness visits and screenings do not count toward the deductible and are covered at no cost.
- If you have a Medigap or Medicare Advantage plan, your out-of-pocket costs may be lower because those plans help cover the deductible and coinsurance.
- The deductible amount changes each year based on inflation, so check your Medicare materials each January for the current year's amount.
How the Deductible Works During the Year
When you see a doctor or receive a covered Part B service in 2025, the provider bills Medicare. Medicare then sends you a bill for your share. Every dollar you pay toward Part B services counts toward your $240 deductible until you reach it.
For example, if you have a doctor visit that costs $100, you pay the full $100 until your deductible is met. If you then have lab work that costs $200, you pay $140 (the remaining deductible) and Medicare begins paying its share of the $60 balance. After that point, you pay 20% coinsurance on covered services for the rest of the year.
Keep track of what you have paid toward your deductible. You can check your progress by logging into your Medicare account at Medicare.gov or by calling 1-800-MEDICARE. Some providers and insurers also show your deductible status in their online portals.
Services That Count Toward the Deductible
Most Part B services count toward your deductible, including doctor office visits, specialist visits, urgent care, outpatient surgery, imaging (X-rays, MRI, CT scans), lab tests, and physical therapy. Durable medical equipment like wheelchairs and oxygen also counts.
However, some services do not count toward the deductible. Preventive services — such as your annual wellness visit, mammograms, colonoscopies, bone density scans, and flu or pneumonia shots — are covered at no cost and do not explore to the deductible. Mental health visits and substance abuse treatment also have different cost rules and may not count toward the Part B deductible in the same way.
Home health services, hospice, and dialysis have their own payment rules and do not use the Part B deductible. If you are unsure whether a specific service counts, ask your provider before the visit or call Medicare at 1-800-MEDICARE.
How Supplemental Insurance Affects Your Deductible
If you have a Medigap policy (also called Medigap or supplemental insurance), your plan may pay part or all of your Part B deductible. Medigap plans vary — some cover the full $240 deductible, while others cover a portion or none at all. Check your Medigap policy documents to see what your plan covers.
If you have a Medicare Advantage plan (Part C), your deductible may be different from the standard Part B deductible. Medicare Advantage plans set their own deductibles, which can be higher, lower, or the same as traditional Medicare. Your plan materials will show your specific deductible amount and which services count toward it.
If you have both Medicare and Medicaid (dual may be able to access), Medicaid may help pay your Part B deductible and coinsurance. The amount Medicaid covers varies by state. Contact your state Medicaid office to learn what your coverage includes.
When the Deductible Resets
Your Part B deductible resets on January 1 each year. If you have not met your $240 deductible by December 31, 2025, the amount you paid does not carry over into 2026. You start fresh on January 1, 2026, with a new deductible (which may be a different amount than $240, since deductibles change annually).
If you are new to Medicare and enroll in Part B mid-year, your deductible still applies for the remainder of that calendar year. For example, if you enroll in Part B in June 2025, you still owe the full $240 deductible for the rest of 2025, even though you have only six months of coverage.
Why the Deductible Amount Changes Each Year
Medicare deductibles and coinsurance amounts are adjusted each year based on the growth in Medicare spending. The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) announces the new amounts in the fall, and they take effect on January 1. The Part B deductible has increased most years, though the amount of increase varies.
You will receive a notice from Medicare in the mail before the new year showing your 2025 costs, including the Part B deductible, coinsurance amounts, and any changes to your coverage. If you have a Medigap or Medicare Advantage plan, your insurer will also send you a notice of changes. Read these notices carefully so you know what to expect.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I have to pay the Part B deductible every year?
Yes. The deductible resets on January 1 each year, so you pay it once per calendar year. Once you meet it, you pay coinsurance for the rest of that year. On January 1, the process starts over with a new deductible amount.
What happens if I do not meet my deductible before the year ends?
The amount you paid does not roll over. On January 1 of the next year, you start with a fresh deductible. However, you still owe coinsurance (usually 20%) on any Part B services you received after meeting your deductible in the previous year.
Are preventive services really free, or do they count toward my deductible?
Preventive services covered by Medicare — like wellness visits, cancer screenings, and vaccinations — are free and do not count toward your Part B deductible. You pay nothing for these services, even if you have not yet met your deductible.
If I have a Medigap plan, do I still pay the Part B deductible?
It depends on your Medigap plan. Some Medigap plans pay the full Part B deductible for you, while others pay part of it or none at all. Check your policy documents or call your Medigap insurer to find out what your plan covers.
Can I see my deductible progress online?
Yes. Log into your account at Medicare.gov using your username and password, and you can view your claims and deductible status. You can also call 1-800-MEDICARE to ask about your progress toward meeting the deductible.