Medicare Part B Deductible 2026: $283 and What Counts Toward It
Reviewed October 3, 2026. The Medicare Part B deductible for 2026 is $283, up from $257 in 2025. You pay it once per calendar year for Part B services such as doctor visits, outpatient care and medical equipment. After you meet it, you usually pay 20% of the Medicare-approved amount and Medicare pays the rest.
Quick answer: 2026 Part B deductible: $283 a year. It resets every January 1. Most preventive services cost nothing and don’t require you to meet the deductible first. The 2027 deductible has not been announced yet; CMS usually releases it in the fall with the new premium.
2026 Part B deductible and related costs
| Cost | 2026 | 2025 |
|---|---|---|
| Part B annual deductible | $283 | $257 |
| Standard monthly Part B premium | $202.90 | $185.00 |
| Coinsurance after the deductible | Usually 20% | Usually 20% |
| Part A inpatient hospital deductible (per benefit period) | $1,736 | $1,676 |
Source: CMS 2026 Medicare Parts A & B Premiums and Deductibles fact sheet. Don’t confuse the Part B deductible with the Part A hospital deductible, which applies per benefit period rather than per year. Our guide to Medicare deductibles explains how each one works.
How the Part B deductible works
- It’s annual. You pay it once per calendar year, no matter how many Part B services you use.
- It applies to Medicare-approved amounts. What counts is the Medicare-approved charge for covered services, not what a provider might bill above that.
- After you meet it, coinsurance starts. You usually pay 20% of the Medicare-approved amount for most doctor services, outpatient therapy and durable medical equipment. There’s no yearly out-of-pocket limit in Original Medicare.
- It resets January 1. Spending in December doesn’t carry over to the next year.
What counts toward the deductible
Most services covered under Part B count toward the $283, including:
- Doctor and specialist visits
- Outpatient hospital services, such as tests and same-day procedures
- Lab work and imaging that isn’t a covered preventive screening
- Durable medical equipment like walkers, wheelchairs and oxygen
- Outpatient physical, occupational and speech therapy
- Drugs given in a doctor’s office or outpatient setting. See what Part B covers for prescription drugs.
Services that skip the deductible
According to Medicare.gov, you pay nothing for most preventive services if you see a provider who accepts assignment, such as your yearly wellness visit, many cancer screenings and flu shots. If your provider finds a problem and does more during the visit, the extra care may be subject to the deductible and coinsurance.
Part B deductible history
| Year | Part B deductible | Standard monthly premium |
|---|---|---|
| 2023 | $226 | $164.90 |
| 2024 | $240 | $174.70 |
| 2025 | $257 | $185.00 |
| 2026 | $283 | $202.90 |
For premium details and income-based surcharges, see the 2026 Part B premium and IRMAA brackets.
How Medigap and Medicare Advantage change the deductible
Medigap (Medicare Supplement)
Medigap Plans C and F cover the Part B deductible, but they can’t be sold to people who became eligible for Medicare on or after January 1, 2020. Most newer enrollees choose plans like Plan G or Plan N, where you pay the $283 yourself and the plan covers most of the 20% coinsurance after that. Read why people buy a Medicare Supplement plan.
Medicare Advantage
Medicare Advantage plans don’t use the Original Medicare Part B deductible. Each plan sets its own medical deductible (many are $0), copays and a yearly out-of-pocket maximum. Compare plans carefully during Open Enrollment, October 15 to December 7, using our annual plan review checklist.
Help paying the deductible
If your income and resources are limited, the Qualified Medicare Beneficiary (QMB) program pays your Part B premium, deductible, coinsurance and copays. Other Medicare Savings Programs pay only the Part B premium. See Medicare.gov and our guide to Medicare Savings Program income limits.
Frequently asked questions
What is the Medicare Part B deductible for 2026?
$283 for the year, up from $257 in 2025.
Does the Part B deductible reset every year?
Yes. It resets on January 1, so you pay it again each calendar year.
Do I have to meet the deductible before preventive care is covered?
No. Most preventive services cost $0 with a provider who accepts assignment, even if you haven’t met the deductible.
Does Medigap Plan G pay the Part B deductible?
No. Plan G covers nearly everything except the Part B deductible. Only Plans C and F cover it, and they’re only available to people first eligible for Medicare before 2020.
What will the Part B deductible be in 2027?
CMS hasn’t announced it yet. It usually publishes the next year’s amount in the fall, and we’ll update this page when it does.
This article is general information, not legal, tax or individual insurance advice. Medicare365 is not affiliated with or endorsed by the U.S. government or the federal Medicare program.