The Medicare Part B Deductible in 2024

The Medicare Part B deductible is a fixed amount you pay out of your own pocket each year before Medicare starts to pay for most doctor visits, outpatient services, and medical equipment. For 2024, that deductible is $240. Once you have paid $240 in covered services during the calendar year, Medicare covers its share of your bills for the rest of that year.

The deductible resets on January 1 each year, so even if you hit it in December, you start over at zero the following January. The exact dollar amount changes each year based on a formula set by federal law, so the 2025 deductible will be different from 2024. You can check the current year's amount on Medicare.gov or by calling 1-800-MEDICARE.

Part B also has a separate payment structure after you meet the deductible: Medicare typically pays 80 percent of approved charges for most services, and you pay the remaining 20 percent. This ongoing 20 percent cost is called coinsurance and is different from the deductible — it continues all year, not just until you hit a spending threshold.

Key Takeaways

  • You must pay $240 out of pocket (in 2024) before Medicare Part B begins to cover most doctor and outpatient services.
  • The deductible applies once per calendar year and resets on January 1, regardless of when you met it the previous year.
  • After you meet the deductible, you typically pay 20 percent coinsurance on covered services for the rest of the year.
  • The deductible amount changes annually and is set by federal formula, so you should check the current year's figure before your first doctor visit.
  • Preventive services such as annual wellness visits and certain screenings do not require you to meet the deductible first.

Which Services Require You to Meet the Deductible

Most doctor visits and outpatient care do require the Part B deductible. This includes office visits to your primary care doctor or a specialist, diagnostic tests like blood work or imaging, physical therapy, mental health counseling, and durable medical equipment such as wheelchairs or oxygen supplies. Once you have paid $240 toward these services, Medicare's 80 percent coverage kicks in for the rest of the year.

However, some services are exempt from the deductible requirement. Preventive care — including your annual wellness visit, cancer screenings, cardiovascular screenings, and certain vaccines — does not require you to meet the deductible first. Medicare covers these at 100 percent with no deductible. This is one reason many people schedule preventive visits early in the year: you get the care covered without spending toward your deductible.

Emergency room visits and ambulance services also require the deductible, as do most lab tests and X-rays ordered by your doctor. If you are unsure whether a specific service requires the deductible, ask your doctor's office or call Medicare before your appointment.

How the Deductible Works With Your Doctor's Bill

When you see a doctor who accepts Medicare, here is what happens. The doctor's office submits a claim to Medicare showing the approved charge for your visit. If you have not yet met your $240 deductible for the year, you pay the full approved amount up to $240. Once your payments reach $240, you have met the deductible.

After the deductible is met, Medicare pays 80 percent of the approved charge, and you pay 20 percent. For example, if a specialist visit has an approved charge of $200 and you have already met your deductible, Medicare pays $160 and you pay $40. This 20 percent coinsurance continues for every covered service for the rest of the calendar year.

If your doctor does not accept Medicare assignment — meaning they do not agree to accept Medicare's approved amount as full payment — you may owe more than 20 percent. These doctors can charge up to 15 percent above the approved amount, a practice called balance billing. Asking whether your doctor accepts assignment before your visit can help you avoid surprise bills.

Deductible Costs If You Have Supplemental or Advantage Coverage

If you have a Medigap policy (supplemental insurance), your policy may pay part or all of your Part B deductible, depending on which plan you chose. Some Medigap plans cover the deductible entirely, while others require you to pay it yourself. Check your policy documents or call your Medigap insurer to confirm what your plan covers.

If you have a Medicare Advantage plan instead of Original Medicare, the deductible rules are different. Advantage plans set their own deductibles, which may be higher, lower, or the same as the Original Medicare deductible. Some Advantage plans have no deductible at all for certain services. Your Advantage plan documents will show your specific deductible amount and which services require it.

People with both Medicare and Medicaid (called "dual may be able to access") typically have their Part B deductible covered by Medicaid, so they do not pay it out of pocket. If you think you may be dual may be able to access, contact your state Medicaid office to confirm your coverage.

Tracking Your Deductible Throughout the Year

Medicare does not send you a bill or a running total of how much you have paid toward your deductible. You have to track it yourself or ask your doctor's office to tell you how much of your deductible remains. Many people keep a folder with their Explanation of Benefits (EOB) statements from Medicare, which show what Medicare paid and what you paid for each service.

You can also create a straightforward spreadsheet or use a notes app on your phone to record each bill you pay. Write down the date, the service, the approved charge, and how much you paid. Add up your payments until you reach $240, then you know the deductible is met for that year.

If you use the same doctor or clinic regularly, ask the billing department to notify you when you have met your deductible. Some offices will track this for you and let you know when you have hit the $240 mark, which can help you plan for the coinsurance costs that follow.

What Happens If You Do Not Meet the Deductible by Year End

If you use very few medical services and do not spend $240 on covered care by December 31, your unused deductible does not carry over to the next year. The deductible resets to $240 on January 1, regardless of whether you met it the previous year. This means if you only paid $100 toward your deductible in 2024, that $100 does not count toward your 2025 deductible — you start fresh at $240.

This is why some people with predictable health needs try to schedule elective services near the end of the year if they have not yet met their deductible. Once the deductible is met, you only pay 20 percent coinsurance for the rest of the year, which can be cheaper than paying the full approved charge for a service.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I have to pay the Part B deductible every time I see a doctor?

No. You pay the deductible only once per calendar year, and only until you have paid $240 total. After that, you pay 20 percent coinsurance on covered services for the rest of the year. Preventive services do not require the deductible at all.

What if my doctor's bill is less than $240?

You pay the full bill, and that amount counts toward your deductible. For example, if your first doctor visit costs $150, you pay $150, and your remaining deductible is $90. Your next covered service will count toward that remaining $90.

Does the Part B deductible cover prescription drugs?

No. Prescription drugs are covered under Medicare Part D, which has its own separate deductible. Part B deductible applies only to doctor visits, outpatient services, and medical equipment.

Can I see my remaining deductible balance online?

Medicare does not provide a real-time deductible tracker online. You can view your Explanation of Benefits statements on Medicare.gov under "My Claims" to see what you have paid, or call your doctor's billing office to ask how much deductible you have left.

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

Your deductible does not transfer. If you switch plans, the new plan's deductible rules explore going forward. Any deductible you paid under Original Medicare does not count toward your Advantage plan's deductible, and vice versa.