The 2024 Medicare Deductible Amounts

Medicare has separate deductibles for each part of the program, and they change every year. For 2024, the Part A deductible (hospital insurance) is $1,632 per benefit period. The Part B deductible (medical insurance) is $240 per year. Part D (prescription drug coverage) deductibles vary by plan but range from $0 to several hundred dollars depending on which plan you choose.

A benefit period under Part A runs from the day you enter a hospital or skilled nursing facility until you have been out for 60 consecutive days. If you are readmitted after that 60-day break, a new benefit period begins and you pay the deductible again. Part B deductibles reset on January 1 each year, regardless of when you started coverage.

If you have a Medigap or Medicare Advantage plan, your actual out-of-pocket costs may differ from these amounts because those plans have their own cost structures. Medigap plans often cover the Part A and Part B deductibles for you, while Medicare Advantage plans typically have lower deductibles but may have higher copays or coinsurance.

Key Takeaways

  • Part A deductible for 2024 is $1,632 per benefit period, which resets each time you spend 60 consecutive days outside a hospital or skilled nursing facility.
  • Part B deductible for 2024 is $240 per year and covers doctor visits, outpatient services, and medical equipment.
  • Part D prescription drug deductibles vary by plan and can range from $0 to several hundred dollars, so comparing plans matters.
  • Medigap plans often cover your deductibles entirely, while Medicare Advantage plans have their own deductible structures that may be lower or higher than Original Medicare.

How Part A Deductibles Work in a Hospital Stay

When you are admitted to a hospital under Part A, you pay the full $1,632 deductible before Medicare begins to pay. After you meet the deductible, Medicare covers all inpatient hospital costs for days 1 through 60 of your stay. On days 61 through 90, you pay a daily coinsurance amount ($408 per day in 2024). If your stay extends beyond 90 days, you enter your lifetime reserve days, and the coinsurance rises to $816 per day.

The deductible applies per benefit period, not per hospital stay. If you are discharged and readmitted within 60 days, you do not pay a second deductible. However, if you are out of the hospital for 60 consecutive days and then readmitted, a new benefit period begins and you owe the deductible again.

Skilled nursing facility care follows the same benefit period rules. If you move from a hospital to a skilled nursing facility as part of the same benefit period, you do not pay another deductible. But the coinsurance amounts differ: Medicare covers all costs for days 1 through 20, you pay $204 per day (in 2024) for days 21 through 100, and you pay all costs after day 100.

How Part B Deductibles Work for Doctor and Outpatient Care

Part B covers doctor visits, outpatient services, lab work, imaging, and durable medical equipment. You pay the $240 deductible once per calendar year, and it applies to all Part B services combined. Once you meet the deductible, you typically pay 20% coinsurance for most services, while Medicare pays 80%.

Some preventive services under Part B have no coinsurance or copay after you meet the deductible—these include annual wellness visits, cancer screenings, and certain vaccinations. Other services, such as mental health visits, may have different cost structures. Always check with your provider about what your costs will be for a specific service.

The Part B deductible resets on January 1 each year. If you reach it in March, you will need to meet it again the following January. Unlike Part A, there is no "benefit period" concept for Part B—it is straightforward a calendar-year deductible.

Part D Prescription Drug Deductibles and Plan Variation

Part D deductibles are set by individual insurance plans, not by Medicare itself. In 2024, deductibles can range from $0 (some plans have no deductible) to around $545, though the exact maximum varies. Plans with lower or no deductibles often have higher monthly premiums or higher copays for individual drugs.

After you meet your Part D deductible, you enter the initial coverage phase, where you pay a copay or coinsurance for each prescription. Once your total out-of-pocket spending reaches a certain threshold (called the coverage gap threshold), you enter the "donut hole," where you pay a higher percentage of drug costs until your spending reaches the catastrophic coverage limit.

Because Part D plans change their deductibles, formularies, and copays every year, you should review your options during the annual enrollment period (October 15 to December 7). A plan that worked well in 2023 may have higher costs in 2024, or a different plan may now cover your medications at a lower cost.

Deductibles in Medicare Advantage Plans

Medicare Advantage plans (Part C) are an alternative to Original Medicare. These plans are run by private insurance companies and must cover everything that Original Medicare covers, but they can structure their deductibles and copays differently. Some Medicare Advantage plans have $0 deductibles, while others have deductibles ranging from a few hundred to over $1,000.

The trade-off is usually that Medicare Advantage plans have lower deductibles but higher copays for individual services. For example, a plan might have a $0 deductible but charge $50 per doctor visit instead of the 20% coinsurance you would pay under Original Medicare. These plans also typically include prescription drug coverage built in, so you do not need a separate Part D plan.

Medicare Advantage plans often have network restrictions, meaning you must use doctors and hospitals within the plan's network (except in emergencies). If you travel frequently or have a preferred doctor outside the network, Original Medicare with a Medigap plan may be a better fit despite higher deductibles.

How Medigap Plans Cover Deductibles

Medigap (supplemental insurance) plans are sold by private insurers and are designed to cover costs that Original Medicare does not pay. Different Medigap plans (labeled A through N) cover different combinations of deductibles, copays, and coinsurance. Some Medigap plans cover the Part A deductible entirely, while others require you to pay it yourself.

Medigap Plan G, one of the most popular options, covers the Part B deductible but not the Part A deductible. Medigap Plan F (available only to people who turned 65 before January 1, 2020) covers both deductibles. Plan A covers neither deductible. You will need to review the specific plan's coverage details to know what you are responsible for.

Medigap plans do not cover Part D prescription drugs, so if you choose Original Medicare with a Medigap plan, you must also enroll in a separate Part D plan. Medigap premiums are typically higher than Medicare Advantage premiums, but you have more flexibility in choosing doctors and hospitals.

When Deductibles Reset and How to Track Them

Part A deductibles reset when a new benefit period begins (after 60 consecutive days outside a hospital or skilled nursing facility). Part B and Part D deductibles reset on January 1 each year. If you are hospitalized near the end of the year and discharged in January, you may owe two Part A deductibles in a short time span if a new benefit period begins.

You can track your deductible progress through your Medicare statements. Original Medicare sends you an Explanation of Benefits (EOB) after each service, showing what you paid and what counts toward your deductible. If you have a Medicare Advantage or Medigap plan, your insurance company sends similar statements. Many plans also offer online portals where you can check your deductible status in real time.

If you are unsure whether you have met your deductible, contact your insurance plan or call Medicare at 1-800-MEDICARE. They can tell you exactly how much of your deductible you have used and how much remains.

Frequently Asked Questions

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

No. Under Part A, you pay the deductible once per benefit period. If you are readmitted within 60 days of discharge, you do not pay another deductible. A new benefit period (and a new deductible) begins only after you have been out of the hospital or skilled nursing facility for 60 consecutive days.

What happens if I do not meet my Part B deductible by the end of the year?

The unused deductible does not carry over. On January 1, the deductible resets to $240, and you start fresh. If you have not used your deductible by December 31, that amount is lost.

Can I see how much of my Part D deductible I have used?

Yes. Your Part D plan sends you a statement each time you fill a prescription, showing what you paid and what counts toward your deductible. You can also log into your plan's website or call the plan's customer service number to check your deductible progress at any time.

Does my Medigap plan cover all deductibles?

It depends on which Medigap plan you have. Plan G covers the Part B deductible but not Part A. Plan F (if you are may be able to access) covers both. Plan A covers neither. Review your specific plan's coverage document to see what deductibles it covers.

Are 2024 deductible amounts the same for everyone on Medicare?

Original Medicare deductibles are the same for everyone in 2024. However, if you have a Medicare Advantage plan, your deductible depends on which plan you chose—different plans have different deductibles. Part D deductibles also vary by plan.