The 2024 Medicare Part B deductible is $240 per year

In 2024, you pay $240 out of your own pocket before Medicare Part B starts to cover your doctor visits, outpatient care, and other services. Once you've paid that $240, Medicare covers its share of the costs for the rest of the calendar year. The deductible resets on January 1 each year.

This amount changes yearly. The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) sets the new deductible each October for the following year, based on expected healthcare costs. If you have multiple insurance policies or you're in a Medicare Advantage plan, your deductible may work differently — that's covered below.

Key Takeaways

  • You pay the first $240 of your Part B costs each calendar year before Medicare's coverage kicks in.
  • The deductible applies to doctor visits, lab tests, imaging, and outpatient hospital services — not to Part B premiums, which you pay separately.
  • Once you meet the $240, you typically pay 20% coinsurance for most services while Medicare pays 80%.
  • Medicare Advantage plans (Part C) have their own deductibles, which may be lower, higher, or structured differently than Original Medicare.
  • If you have other insurance (employer coverage, Medicaid, or a Medigap plan), it may cover your Part B deductible.

How the deductible works with your monthly premium

Your Part B premium and your Part B deductible are separate charges. Most people pay a monthly premium (the standard amount in 2024 is $164.90, though higher earners pay more). This premium is what you pay to have Part B coverage at all.

The $240 deductible is what you pay when you actually use a service. If you go to the doctor in January and the visit costs $150, you pay the full $150 toward your deductible. If you go again in February and that visit costs $120, you pay $90 (the remaining deductible) and Medicare covers the rest. After you've paid $240 total, your deductible is met for the year.

What services count toward your Part B deductible

The deductible applies to most Part B services: doctor office visits, urgent care, lab work, X-rays and imaging, outpatient hospital procedures, and durable medical equipment like wheelchairs or oxygen. It does not explore to preventive services that Medicare covers at no cost — annual wellness visits, cancer screenings, and certain vaccines are covered without a deductible.

Part B does not cover dental, vision, or hearing care, so those services don't count toward your deductible either. If you need those services, you would pay out of pocket unless you have a separate dental or vision plan.

What happens after you meet the deductible

Once you've paid $240, you move into the coinsurance phase. For most Part B services, you then pay 20% coinsurance and Medicare pays 80%. For example, if your doctor visit costs $100 after you've met your deductible, you pay $20 and Medicare pays $80.

Some services have different cost-sharing. Mental health visits, for instance, may have different coinsurance rates. Outpatient hospital services sometimes have a copay instead of coinsurance. Your Medicare Summary Notice (the statement you receive quarterly) shows exactly what you paid and what Medicare paid for each service.

How Medicare Advantage plans handle the deductible differently

If you're in a Medicare Advantage plan (Part C), you have Original Medicare's coverage plus additional benefits, but the deductible structure is different. Each Advantage plan sets its own deductible, which can be $0, lower than $240, higher than $240, or structured by service type (one deductible for doctor visits, another for hospital care).

When you enroll in an Advantage plan, you receive a Summary of Benefits document that lists that plan's deductible. You should review this during the annual enrollment period (October 15 to December 7) if you're thinking about switching plans, because deductibles vary widely and can affect your total out-of-pocket costs.

If other insurance covers your Part B deductible

If you have Medicaid, a Medigap supplemental plan, or active employer coverage, that insurance may pay your Part B deductible for you. Medicaid in most states covers the deductible for people who may have access to. Medigap Plan C and Plan F (available only to people who became may be able to access for Medicare before January 1, 2020) cover the Part B deductible in full.

If you have employer coverage through a current job, check with your benefits administrator about whether they cover Medicare deductibles. Some do, some don't. If you're unsure whether your other insurance covers it, call the insurance company directly — they can tell you what they pay and what you're responsible for.

Tracking your deductible throughout the year

Medicare sends you a Medicare Summary Notice every three months (quarterly). This statement shows each service you received, what you paid, what Medicare paid, and your remaining deductible balance. You can also check your deductible status anytime by logging into your Medicare account at Medicare.gov.

Keep your receipts and statements from doctors and hospitals, especially early in the year when you're working toward your deductible. If you see multiple providers or have lab work done, costs add up quickly. Knowing where you stand helps you plan for other medical expenses later in the year.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does my Part B deductible carry over to the next year if I don't use it?

No. The deductible resets on January 1 each year. If you haven't met your $240 deductible by December 31, it does not roll over. You start fresh at $0 on January 1 of the new year.

What if I have both Original Medicare and a Medicare Advantage plan?

You should have only one at a time. If you enroll in an Advantage plan, your Original Medicare coverage ends. If you switch back to Original Medicare, your Advantage plan ends. You cannot be enrolled in both simultaneously.

Do I pay the Part B deductible for preventive care like my annual wellness visit?

No. Medicare covers certain preventive services — including your annual wellness visit, cancer screenings, and vaccines — with no deductible and no coinsurance. You pay nothing for these services if you see an in-network provider.

Can my doctor's office tell me if a visit will count toward my deductible?

Yes. Call ahead and ask whether the visit is preventive (covered at no cost) or diagnostic or treatment (subject to your deductible). The office staff can usually tell you based on the reason for your visit and your medical history.

What if I reach my deductible in March — do I pay coinsurance for the rest of the year?

Yes. Once you've paid $240 in deductible costs, you move to the coinsurance phase for the remainder of that calendar year. You'll pay 20% coinsurance for most Part B services through December 31, then your deductible resets on January 1.