The 2024 Medicare deductible amounts

In 2024, the Part A deductible (hospital insurance) is $1,676 per benefit period. A benefit period starts when you enter the hospital and ends 60 days after you leave — if you go back to the hospital after those 60 days, you pay the deductible again. The Part B deductible (medical insurance) is $240 per year, paid once, and then your coinsurance kicks in.

Part D (prescription drug coverage) has no set deductible amount — instead, each plan chooses its own deductible, which ranges from $0 to several hundred dollars depending on the plan. Medigap and Medicare Advantage plans set their own deductibles as well, so what you pay depends entirely on which plan you choose.

These amounts change every January. The Part A and Part B deductibles are set by Medicare based on the cost of care. Part D deductibles vary by plan and can shift year to year even if you stay with the same insurance company.

Key Takeaways

  • Part A's $1,676 deductible resets each time you enter the hospital, not once per year like Part B.
  • Part B's $240 deductible covers the calendar year and applies before Medicare starts paying its share of doctor visits and outpatient care.
  • Part D drug plan deductibles vary by plan and can range from $0 to several hundred dollars, so comparing plans matters.
  • Medicare Advantage and Medigap plans each set their own deductibles, which may be lower or higher than Original Medicare.

How Part A deductible works in the hospital

When you are admitted to the hospital, you pay the Part A deductible ($1,676 in 2024) before Medicare starts paying. After you pay that amount, Medicare covers all hospital costs for days 1 through 60 of your stay — you pay nothing more during those first 60 days.

Days 61 through 90 cost you $419 per day (called coinsurance). If you stay longer than 90 days, you enter what Medicare calls "lifetime reserve days" — you have 60 of these total across your entire life, and they cost $838 per day. Once you use up your lifetime reserve days, you pay all costs yourself.

The key thing to understand: the deductible resets. If you leave the hospital, stay out for 60 days or more, and then go back in, you pay the $1,676 deductible again. This is different from Part B, which has one deductible per calendar year no matter how many times you see a doctor.

How Part B deductible works for doctor visits

Part B covers doctor visits, outpatient surgery, lab tests, and other medical services. You pay a $240 deductible once per calendar year (January through December). After you meet that deductible, Medicare typically pays 80% of the approved cost, and you pay 20% coinsurance for the rest of the year.

The deductible applies to most Part B services, but not all. Preventive care — like annual wellness visits, mammograms, colonoscopies, and flu shots — is covered at 100% with no deductible. If you see a doctor for a preventive service first, you do not pay toward your deductible.

Once you have paid $240 toward Part B services in a calendar year, your deductible is met. From that point forward, you only pay coinsurance (usually 20%) until the year ends and the deductible resets on January 1.

Part D drug plan deductibles and how they vary

Each Part D plan sets its own deductible, and there is no single "Medicare deductible" for drugs. Some plans have no deductible at all; others charge $100, $200, or more. When you compare plans during open enrollment, the deductible is one of the costs you should check.

After you pay your plan's deductible, you move into the "initial coverage" phase, where you pay a copay or coinsurance for each prescription. If your drug costs get very high, you may enter the "coverage gap" (sometimes called the "donut hole"), where you pay a larger share of the cost. Eventually, if your out-of-pocket costs reach a certain threshold, catastrophic coverage kicks in and your costs drop again.

Part D deductibles can change from year to year, even if you stay with the same insurance company. That is why reviewing your plan each fall during open enrollment — even if you do not switch plans — helps you understand what your costs will be in the new year.

Medicare Advantage and Medigap deductibles

Medicare Advantage (Part C) plans are sold by private insurance companies and include Part A, Part B, and usually Part D all in one plan. Each Advantage plan sets its own deductible, which may be $0, or it may be several hundred dollars. Some plans have separate deductibles for hospital care and doctor visits. You need to read the plan details to know what you will pay.

Medigap (supplemental insurance) plans are also sold by private companies and are designed to pay some or all of the costs that Original Medicare does not cover — like deductibles and coinsurance. Medigap plans have their own premiums but typically have no deductible themselves. Instead, they help you pay Medicare's deductibles and coinsurance.

If you have a Medigap plan, you still pay Medicare's Part A and Part B deductibles first, but your Medigap plan then reimburses you for those costs (depending on which Medigap plan you have). This is why some people choose Medigap — to reduce the amount they pay out of pocket.

When to expect deductible changes

Medicare announces the new year's deductibles in the fall, usually in September or October. Part A and Part B deductibles are published by Medicare itself. Part D deductibles are published by each insurance company offering drug plans.

If you are on Original Medicare (Part A and Part B), you do not have to do anything when deductibles change — you will automatically pay the new amount. If you have a Part D plan, Medicare Advantage, or Medigap, you should review your plan documents or call your insurance company in the fall to see what your costs will be in the new year. Open enrollment runs from October 15 to December 7 each year, and that is when you can switch plans if you find a better option.

Questions to ask your doctor or insurance company

Before a hospital stay or major procedure, ask your doctor's office whether the service is covered by Medicare and whether you will owe the Part A deductible. If you are unsure whether a service counts as preventive (and therefore has no Part B deductible), ask your doctor or call Medicare at 1-800-MEDICARE.

If you take prescription drugs, call your Part D plan or visit its website to confirm your deductible for the new year. If you have Medicare Advantage or Medigap, ask your insurance company what your deductible is and what services are covered at what cost. Having these answers before you need care helps you budget and avoid surprises.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I have to pay the Part A deductible every time I go to the hospital?

You pay it once per benefit period. A benefit period ends 60 days after you leave the hospital. If you are readmitted after 60 days have passed, you pay the deductible again. If you are readmitted within 60 days, you do not pay another deductible.

What happens if I cannot afford to pay my deductible?

Talk to your hospital's financial counselor or billing department before or during your stay. Some hospitals have programs to help uninsured or underinsured patients. You can also contact your state's Medicaid office to see if you may have access to for help paying Medicare costs.

Does my Medigap plan cover the Medicare deductible?

It depends on which Medigap plan you have. Some plans (like Plan C and Plan F) cover the Part A and Part B deductibles entirely. Others cover part of it or none of it. Check your plan documents or call your insurance company to confirm what your plan covers.

Can I use my Health Savings Account to pay my Medicare deductible?

Once you enroll in Medicare, you cannot contribute to an HSA anymore. However, you can withdraw money from an existing HSA to pay Medicare premiums, deductibles, and coinsurance. You cannot use HSA funds to pay for over-the-counter drugs unless they are prescribed by a doctor.

What if my Part D plan's deductible is very high?

During open enrollment (October 15 to December 7), you can switch to a different Part D plan with a lower deductible. Use the Medicare Plan Finder tool on Medicare.gov to compare plans and their deductibles side by side. You can also ask your pharmacist which plans cover your specific drugs at the lowest cost.