If you’re getting ready to retire, turning 65, or simply budgeting for next year’s healthcare, here’s a detail that trips up a lot of people: the Medicare Part B deductible. The 2026 deductible just went up to $283, and depending on your type of coverage, you might not owe it at all—or you might owe it every single year. Let’s break down who really pays, who doesn’t, and how to plan for it without surprises.
Watch: Who Actually Pays The Medicare Part B Deductible? (Most Get This Wrong)
Key Takeaways
- 2026 Part B deductible: $283 per year, up from $257 in 2025.
- Not everyone pays it. Whether you do depends on your Medicare coverage type.
- Medicare Advantage: You don’t pay the Part B deductible directly.
- Medigap (Medicare Supplement): You do pay it—every year, even with Plan G.
- Original Medicare only: You pay it, plus 20% coinsurance with no cap.
- Planning matters: This small number affects your total out-of-pocket exposure and how you compare plans.
What the Medicare Part B Deductible Actually Is
The Part B deductible is the amount you pay before Medicare starts sharing costs for outpatient care—things like doctor visits, imaging, physical therapy, and lab work.
In 2026, that number is $283. Once you’ve paid it, Medicare covers 80% of those costs, and you pay the remaining 20%. But here’s the catch—not everyone is responsible for that deductible, and that’s where most confusion starts.
Who Pays (and Who Doesn’t)
Before you assume the deductible applies to you, it’s worth slowing down—because whether you actually pay it depends entirely on how you get your Medicare coverage.
This is one of the most misunderstood parts of Medicare, and it’s why people are often shocked when a bill shows up (or doesn’t). Each path—Medicare Advantage, Medigap, or Original Medicare alone—treats the deductible differently, and knowing which category you fall into can save you money and frustration all year long.
Medicare Advantage
If you have a Medicare Advantage plan, you don’t pay the Part B deductible.
These plans have their own copays, coinsurance, and annual out-of-pocket limits. It’s one of the structural differences between Advantage and Original Medicare.
Medigap (Medicare Supplement)
If you have a Medigap plan, including Plan G, you do pay the deductible each year. After that, most of your other medical costs are covered. Think of this as your one predictable annual out-of-pocket expense.
“Bare with Medicare” (Original Medicare + Drug Plan)
If you only have Original Medicare (Parts A & B) and a standalone drug plan, you absolutely pay the $283 deductible—and then you’re on the hook for 20% of outpatient costs with no limit.
That 20% can turn into thousands if you need surgeries, cancer treatments, or other major care.
Matt tip: The deductible itself isn’t what hurts—it’s the unlimited 20% exposure under Original Medicare that can sink a budget.
Why the Deductible Keeps Rising
Just like the Part B premium, the deductible goes up because Medicare’s overall costs rise each year.
That increase reflects:
- More outpatient procedures and specialist visits
- New treatments and medical technology
- Higher inflation and utilization
- An aging population (sorry, boomers—you’re using a lot of healthcare)
For people on Medigap plans, it’s a fixed annual cost that resets every January. For those comparing Plan G vs. Plan N, it’s part of your real-world budgeting math.
How Medicare Advantage Plans Are Indirectly Affected
Even though Medicare Advantage doesn’t use the Part B deductible, the increase still matters. That’s because Medicare funds Advantage plans—and when Part B costs rise, it affects how those plans are designed and priced.
You may see ripple effects in future years in the form of:
- Adjusted copays and coinsurance
- Changes to maximum out-of-pocket limits
- Narrower networks or altered plan structures
It’s not immediate, but today’s deductible increase can influence next year’s Advantage benefits.
How to Budget for the 2026 Deductible
Here’s a simple way to fit the deductible into your Medicare cost planning:
- Start with the monthly Part B premium ($229.90 in 2026).
- Add the deductible ($283) if you don’t have a Medicare Advantage plan.
- Add your Medigap or Advantage premiums.
- Add prescription costs.
- Factor in your out-of-pocket maximum (for Advantage) or the deductible + premium (for Medigap).
Matt tip: Make two versions of your budget—one for a “normal” year and one for a “bad” year. Your actual costs will fall somewhere between them.
FAQs
What’s the 2026 Medicare Part B deductible?
The Medicare Part B deductibe for 2026 is $283 for the year.
Do Medicare Advantage enrollees pay the deductible?
No. Medicare Advantage plans have their own cost structure and do not apply the Part B deductible directly.
Do Medigap plans cover the deductible?
No. Every Medigap plan (including Plan G) requires you to pay the deductible each year.
Does Original Medicare have a spending limit?
No. Original Medicare has 20% coinsurance with no annual maximum, which is why supplemental coverage matters.
What To Do Next
- If you’re on Medigap: Expect to pay the deductible annually and plan accordingly.
- If you’re on Medicare Advantage: You won’t pay the deductible, but review your copays and network changes.
- If you’re on Original Medicare only: Seriously consider adding supplemental coverage to avoid unlimited 20% exposure.
Not sure what’s best? Get a no-pressure plan comparison that helps you see the real numbers for your doctors, drugs, and budget.
