The 2025 Medicare deductible amounts

Medicare Part A (hospital insurance) has a deductible of $1,676 per benefit period in 2025. A benefit period starts when you enter a hospital and ends after you have been out for 60 days in a row. Part B (medical insurance) has a deductible of $240 per year. Part D (prescription drug coverage) deductibles vary by plan, but they cannot be higher than $545 in 2025.

These amounts change each year. The Part A and Part B deductibles are set by Medicare based on expected costs. Part D deductibles are set by each insurance company that offers the plan, within the limit Medicare sets. If you have both Part A and Part B, you pay both deductibles — they do not combine into one.

If you have Original Medicare (Part A and Part B), you also face copayments and coinsurance after you meet your deductible. These are different from the deductible itself and explore to specific services like hospital stays, doctor visits, and lab work.

Key Takeaways

  • Part A deductible is $1,676 per benefit period, which resets each time you spend 60 days out of the hospital.
  • Part B deductible is $240 per calendar year and covers doctor visits and outpatient services.
  • Part D deductible varies by plan but cannot exceed $545 in 2025.
  • Medicare Advantage plans (Part C) may have different deductibles than Original Medicare, and some have zero deductible.

How Part A deductible works in a hospital stay

When you are admitted to a hospital, you pay the Part A deductible ($1,676 in 2025) before Medicare begins to pay. This covers your first 60 days in the hospital during one benefit period. After you meet the deductible, Medicare covers all hospital costs for days 1 through 60.

If you stay longer than 60 days in the same benefit period, you then pay a daily copayment. From day 61 to day 90, you pay $419 per day in 2025. If you need to stay beyond 90 days, you can use your "lifetime reserve days" — 60 additional days that Medicare will cover if you pay $838 per day.

The benefit period resets 60 days after you leave the hospital. If you are readmitted after that 60-day window, you pay the Part A deductible again. This means you could pay the deductible more than once in a single year if you have multiple hospital stays.

How Part B deductible works for doctor and outpatient care

The Part B deductible ($240 in 2025) applies to most doctor visits, lab tests, X-rays, and outpatient services. You pay this amount out of your own pocket before Medicare starts to pay its share. Once you meet the deductible in a calendar year, you typically pay 20 percent of the cost for most services, and Medicare pays 80 percent.

Some services do not count toward the Part B deductible. Preventive care — like annual wellness visits, cancer screenings, and vaccines — is covered at no cost to you, even before you meet your deductible. Emergency room visits and urgent care also do not require you to meet the deductible first.

The Part B deductible resets on January 1 each year. If you have not met it by December 31, the amount you paid does not carry over into the next year.

Part D prescription drug deductible and how it varies

Part D deductibles depend on which prescription drug plan you choose. In 2025, deductibles range from $0 to $545. Some plans have no deductible at all, while others charge the maximum. The plan documents you receive will show your specific deductible amount.

Once you meet your Part D deductible, you move into the "initial coverage" phase, where you and your plan share the cost of drugs. You typically pay a copayment or coinsurance (a percentage of the drug cost) for each prescription. The exact amount depends on which tier the drug is on — generic drugs usually cost less than brand-name drugs.

Part D deductibles reset on January 1 each year. If you switch plans during the annual enrollment period (October 15 to December 7), your new plan's deductible applies starting January 1, even if you had not met your old plan's deductible.

Medicare Advantage deductibles and how they differ

Medicare Advantage plans (Part C) are an alternative to Original Medicare. They are offered by private insurance companies and must cover everything Original Medicare covers, but they set their own deductibles, copayments, and coinsurance amounts. Some Medicare Advantage plans have zero deductible, while others charge $500 or more.

Medicare Advantage plans often bundle Part A, Part B, and Part D coverage into one plan, so you have one deductible to meet instead of three separate ones. However, you must use doctors and hospitals in the plan's network, except in emergencies. Out-of-network care usually costs much more or is not covered at all.

The deductible structure in a Medicare Advantage plan is spelled out in the plan's Summary of Benefits document, which you can request from the insurance company or view on Medicare.gov. Deductibles vary widely between plans and between insurance companies, so comparing plans before enrollment is important.

Medigap supplemental insurance and deductibles

Medigap (supplemental insurance) is a separate policy sold by private insurance companies that pays some of the costs that Original Medicare does not cover — including deductibles, copayments, and coinsurance. If you have Medigap, you still have a Part A and Part B deductible, but your Medigap policy may pay it for you.

Different Medigap plans (labeled A through N) cover different amounts. Some plans pay the full Part B deductible, while others pay nothing toward it. Plan F and Plan C, for example, cover the full Part B deductible. Plan A covers nothing toward the Part B deductible. Your Medigap policy documents will show exactly what it covers.

Medigap does not cover Part D prescription drug costs. If you want prescription drug coverage with Original Medicare and Medigap, you must enroll in a separate Part D plan.

When deductibles reset and how to track them

Part A and Part B deductibles reset on different schedules. Part B resets on January 1 each calendar year. Part A resets when a benefit period ends — 60 days after you leave the hospital. This means your Part A deductible can reset multiple times in one year if you have multiple hospital stays.

Part D deductibles reset on January 1. If you switch plans during the annual enrollment period, your new plan's deductible applies starting January 1, and any amount you paid toward your old plan's deductible does not transfer.

You can track how much you have paid toward your deductible by checking your Medicare Summary Notice, which Medicare sends after you receive care. You can also log into your Medicare.gov account to see your claims and out-of-pocket costs in real time.

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 starts when you enter the hospital and ends 60 days after you leave. If you are readmitted after that 60-day window, a new benefit period begins and you pay the deductible again. You could pay it multiple times in one calendar year.

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

The unused amount does not roll over. On January 1, your deductible resets to $240, and you start over. Any out-of-pocket costs you paid in December do not count toward next year's deductible.

Can I choose a Medicare Advantage plan with zero deductible?

Yes, some plans offer zero deductible. However, zero deductible does not mean zero cost — you still pay copayments and coinsurance for services, and you must use in-network providers. Compare the full cost of care, not just the deductible, when choosing a plan.

Does Medigap cover my Part D prescription drug deductible?

No. Medigap covers gaps in Original Medicare (Part A and Part B costs), but it does not cover Part D. If you have Original Medicare and Medigap, you need a separate Part D plan to cover prescriptions, and that plan has its own deductible.

Where can I find my plan's exact deductible amount for 2025?

For Original Medicare, Medicare.gov lists the deductible amounts. For Medicare Advantage or Part D plans, check the Summary of Benefits document from your insurance company, or call the plan's customer service number on your insurance card.