Medicare Deductibles in 2026: Part A, Part B & Part D

# Medicare Deductibles in 2026: Part A, Part B & Part D

One of the most common surprises for new Medicare enrollees is that Medicare is not free—and it is not a flat monthly premium with everything covered beneath it. Deductibles play a significant role in how much you actually pay when you use your coverage. Understanding how deductibles work across Part A, Part B, and Part D helps you plan your budget, compare supplemental options, and avoid unexpected bills. Here is what you need to know for 2026.

How the Part A Deductible Works

Part A covers inpatient hospital stays, skilled nursing facility care, hospice, and some home health services. Unlike Part B, Part A does not have an annual deductible. Instead, it has a per-benefit-period deductible that applies each time you are admitted to a hospital and have not had an inpatient stay for at least 60 consecutive days.

• A benefit period begins the day you are admitted as an inpatient and ends after you have not received any inpatient hospital or skilled nursing facility care for 60 consecutive days.
• If you are readmitted after 60 days, a new benefit period—and a new deductible—begins.
• There is no cap on the number of benefit periods you can have in a year, which means the Part A deductible is theoretically payable multiple times in a calendar year.

For the exact dollar amount of the 2026 Part A deductible, check Medicare.gov or call 1-800-MEDICARE. CMS typically announces updated figures in the fall prior to each plan year.

How the Part B Deductible Works

Part B covers outpatient care: doctor visits, preventive services, durable medical equipment, outpatient surgeries, and most lab work. The Part B deductible is an annual deductible, meaning you pay it once per calendar year before Medicare begins sharing costs for most services.

After you meet the deductible, Medicare generally pays 80 percent of the Medicare-approved amount for covered services, and you are responsible for the remaining 20 percent—with no annual cap on that coinsurance under Original Medicare alone. That 20 percent exposure is one of the main reasons people add a Medigap supplement plan.

A few important nuances:

• Certain preventive services—including the Welcome to Medicare visit and many cancer screenings—are covered at 100 percent with no deductible applied, as long as the visit is billed solely as preventive.
• If a preventive visit includes diagnosis or treatment, cost-sharing may apply.
• The Part B deductible amount is set by CMS each year. Visit Medicare.gov for the current figure.

How Part D Deductibles Work

Part D covers prescription drugs. Standalone Part D plans and Medicare Advantage plans with drug coverage may charge a deductible that you must meet before the plan begins paying for medications. CMS sets a maximum allowable deductible each year—plans may charge anything from zero up to that cap.

• Plans that charge a deductible typically apply it to Tier 3, 4, and 5 drugs (brand-name and specialty medications) while covering Tier 1 and Tier 2 generics before the deductible is met—but plan designs vary, so always review your plan's Evidence of Coverage.
• Low-income beneficiaries who qualify for Extra Help (the Part D Low Income Subsidy) pay reduced or no deductibles. Contact Social Security or your State Health Insurance Assistance Program (SHIP) to see if you qualify.
• The annual deductible resets every January 1, so the timing of an expensive prescription can matter when you are approaching year-end.

Because deductible amounts change each year, always verify the specific figure for your plan in the Annual Notice of Change you receive each fall, or through the Medicare Plan Finder at Medicare.gov.

Strategies to Reduce Your Deductible Exposure

For many beneficiaries, the goal is not just to understand deductibles but to minimize how much they actually pay. A few approaches are worth considering:

• Medigap (Medicare Supplement) plans can cover the Part A and Part B deductibles entirely, depending on the plan letter you choose. Plan G, for example, covers the Part A deductible and all Part B coinsurance after you meet the Part B deductible yourself.
• Medicare Advantage plans replace Original Medicare and often set their own deductible structures, which may be lower—or higher—for specific services. Compare plans carefully using Medicare's Star Ratings and the plan's Summary of Benefits.
• Choosing a zero-deductible Part D plan may cost more in monthly premiums but can reduce upfront drug costs, especially if you take brand-name medications regularly.
• Using preferred pharmacies and mail-order within your Part D plan's network can lower your cost-sharing even after the deductible is met.

There is no single right answer—the best approach depends on your health needs, your budget, and the plans available where you live.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Does Medicare have one overall deductible for everything? A: No. Medicare has separate deductibles for Part A, Part B, and Part D, each with different structures. Part A uses a per-benefit-period deductible for hospital stays, Part B has an annual deductible for outpatient care, and Part D deductibles vary by plan up to a federally-set maximum. Understanding each one separately helps you budget more accurately.

Q: Can a Medigap plan cover my Medicare deductibles? A: Yes, many Medigap plans cover some or all Medicare deductibles. Plan G covers the Part A deductible and all Part B coinsurance after you pay the Part B deductible yourself. Plan F (available only to those who were eligible for Medicare before January 1, 2020) covers the Part B deductible as well. The right plan depends on your anticipated usage and current health.

Q: Where can I find the exact deductible amounts for 2026? A: CMS publishes official Medicare cost figures at Medicare.gov and updates them annually. You can also call 1-800-MEDICARE (1-800-633-4227) for current numbers, or speak with a licensed Medicare advisor who can walk you through how the figures apply to your specific plan options.

Have questions about your Medicare options? Lynsey Brennan (FL License #G007269) offers free consultations in FL, TX, AZ, GA, NC, SC, PA, OH, TN, VA. Call (561) 735-1490 or book online.

We do not offer every plan available in your area. Please contact Medicare.gov or 1-800-MEDICARE to get information on all of your options.