Medicare's 2025 deductibles by plan type

Medicare has different deductibles depending on which part of coverage you use. Part A (hospital insurance) has one deductible per benefit period — the amount you pay before Medicare starts covering inpatient hospital stays, skilled nursing facility care, and hospice. Part B (medical insurance) has a separate annual deductible you pay before Medicare covers doctor visits, outpatient care, and medical equipment. Part D (prescription drug coverage) has its own deductible that applies to your medications.

The exact dollar amounts change each year. For 2025, Part A's deductible is $1,676 per benefit period, and Part B's annual deductible is $240. Part D deductibles vary by plan — they range from $0 to $545 depending on which drug plan you choose. If you have a Medigap or Medicare Advantage plan, your deductible may be different from these standard amounts.

Key Takeaways

  • Part A deductible ($1,676 in 2025) applies once per benefit period when you enter a hospital, not once per year.
  • Part B deductible ($240 in 2025) is annual and covers doctor visits and outpatient services.
  • Part D deductibles vary by prescription drug plan and can range from $0 to $545.
  • Medicare Advantage and Medigap plans have their own deductible structures that may be lower or higher than Original Medicare.
  • Deductible amounts increase most years, so check your plan's 2025 documents rather than relying on prior-year figures.

How Part A deductible works: hospital stays

Part A covers inpatient hospital care, and the deductible applies when you are admitted. Once you pay the $1,676 deductible for a benefit period, Medicare covers your hospital costs for the first 60 days of that stay. After 60 days, you pay a daily coinsurance amount for days 61 through 90, and a higher daily amount for any days beyond 90.

A benefit period is not the same as a calendar year. It begins the day you enter the hospital and ends 60 days after you leave. If you are readmitted to the hospital within 60 days of leaving, you do not pay a new deductible — you are still in the same benefit period. If you are readmitted after 60 days have passed, a new benefit period starts and you owe a new deductible.

How Part B deductible works: doctor and outpatient care

Part B covers doctor visits, outpatient surgery, diagnostic tests, and medical equipment like wheelchairs and oxygen. The $240 annual deductible applies to these services. Once you pay $240 out of pocket toward Part B services in a calendar year, Medicare begins to pay its share, and you typically pay 20 percent coinsurance for most services.

The deductible resets on January 1 each year. Some preventive services — like annual wellness visits, cancer screenings, and vaccines — do not count toward the deductible and are covered at no cost to you once you have Medicare Part B.

Part D prescription drug deductible and how it affects your costs

Part D deductibles depend entirely on which drug plan you choose. Some plans have no deductible at all, while others charge up to $545 in 2025. When you have a deductible, you pay the full cost of your medications until you reach that amount. After you meet the deductible, you move into the initial coverage stage, where you and your plan share the cost.

Part D also has a coverage gap (sometimes called the "donut hole") that kicks in after you and your plan have spent a certain amount on drugs. In the gap, you pay a larger share of drug costs. Once your out-of-pocket spending reaches a yearly limit, catastrophic coverage begins and your costs drop significantly. The exact amounts and stages vary by plan, so reviewing your plan's coverage details each year matters.

Medicare Advantage and Medigap deductibles

Medicare Advantage plans (Part C) are an alternative to Original Medicare offered by private insurers. They often have lower or no deductibles than Original Medicare, but they may have higher copays or coinsurance. Some Advantage plans charge $0 for primary care visits but $50 or more for specialist visits. Deductibles in Advantage plans vary widely — some plans have no deductible at all, while others charge $500 or more.

Medigap plans (supplemental insurance) work alongside Original Medicare and help pay the deductibles, copays, and coinsurance that Medicare does not cover. If you have Medigap, you still pay the Part A and Part B deductibles to Medicare first, but your Medigap plan may then reimburse you for those amounts. Medigap plans themselves do not have deductibles — you pay a monthly premium instead.

When deductibles reset and what to track

Part B deductibles reset on January 1 each year. Part A deductibles reset when a new benefit period begins — which happens 60 days after you leave the hospital. Part D deductibles reset on January 1 each year, though some plans may have different plan years if they are part of a group or employer plan.

Keep track of what you have paid toward your deductible throughout the year. Your Medicare statements and plan documents show your deductible progress. If you see multiple doctors or fill prescriptions at different pharmacies, the amounts add up across all providers — you do not have to meet the deductible with one doctor and then start over with another.

How income affects your deductible costs

If your income is low, you may be may be able to access for Extra Help (also called the Low-Income Subsidy program), which reduces or eliminates Part D deductibles and other drug costs. You may also be may be able to access for Medicaid through your state, which can cover Medicare deductibles and coinsurance if you meet income and asset limits.

Income limits and coverage vary by state. Contact your state Medicaid office or call 1-800-MEDICARE to learn whether you may be may be able to access for help paying deductibles. Some community health centers and local aging agencies also offer programs that help cover out-of-pocket costs.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I have to pay my deductible every year?

Part B and Part D deductibles reset every January 1, so yes, you pay them annually. Part A deductible resets when a new benefit period begins — 60 days after you leave the hospital — not on a calendar schedule. If you do not use hospital services, you may not owe a Part A deductible in a given year.

What happens if I switch Medicare plans mid-year?

If you switch from one Part D plan to another during the annual enrollment period (October 15 to December 7), your new plan's deductible applies starting January 1. Any money you paid toward your old plan's deductible does not carry over. For Medicare Advantage plans, switching mid-year is generally not allowed unless you have a may have access to life event.

Are preventive services subject to the deductible?

No. Preventive services covered by Part B — such as annual wellness visits, cancer screenings, flu shots, and blood pressure checks — are covered at no cost and do not count toward your Part B deductible. However, if you see a doctor for a non-preventive reason during the same visit, that portion may be subject to the deductible.

Can my deductible be higher than the standard amount?

Yes, if you have a Medicare Advantage plan. Advantage plans set their own deductibles, which can be $0, lower than Original Medicare, or higher. Check your plan documents or call your plan's customer service to confirm your exact deductible for 2025.

What if I cannot afford to pay my deductible?

Talk to your doctor's office or hospital billing department about payment plans. If your income is low, contact your state Medicaid office or call 1-800-MEDICARE to learn about Extra Help, Medicaid, or other programs that may reduce what you owe. Some hospitals also have financial information programs for uninsured or underinsured patients.