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Medicare Part B Deductible Explained: How It Works in 2026
Last Modified: 10/05/2026 | Reviewed by Keith Armbrecht (NPN 634015)
Quick Summary
The Medicare Part B deductible is $283 in 2026.
You generally must pay this amount toward Medicare Part B-covered healthcare before Original Medicare begins paying its usual share for many Part B services.
The Part B deductible is an annual deductible, so it generally resets each January.
Medicare Supplement Plan G and Plan N don’t cover the Part B deductible for people newly eligible for Medicare today. (CMS)
Key Facts
- 2026 Medicare Part B deductible: $283
- It’s an annual deductible.
- It generally resets January 1.
- It applies to many Part B-covered services.
- After the deductible, Medicare commonly pays 80% of the Medicare-approved amount for covered Part B services.
- You commonly pay 20% unless supplemental coverage pays it.
- Plan G doesn’t cover the Part B deductible.
- Plan N doesn’t cover it.
- Plans C and F cover it for people eligible to purchase those plans.
- The deductible amount can change each year.
- The Part B deductible is separate from the monthly Part B premium.
How the Part B Deductible Works
Suppose you begin 2026 and haven’t used any Part B-covered healthcare.
You receive Medicare-covered outpatient services.
You generally pay Medicare-approved expenses toward the:
$283 annual deductible
Once you’ve satisfied the deductible, Medicare begins paying according to normal Part B rules for covered services.
For many services:
Medicare pays 80%
and
You are responsible for 20%
of the Medicare-approved amount.
Supplemental insurance may pay some or all of that 20%.
Part B Premium vs. Part B Deductible
These are two different costs.
2026 Part B Premium
$202.90 per month for most beneficiaries.
2026 Part B Deductible
$283 per year
You pay the monthly premium to maintain Part B coverage.
You satisfy the deductible when using applicable Part B healthcare services. (CMS)
What Does Plan G Pay?
Plan G doesn’t pay the Part B deductible.
After you’ve satisfied it, Plan G generally covers the applicable Medicare Part B coinsurance according to its standardized benefits.
What Does Plan N Pay?
Plan N also doesn’t pay the Part B deductible.
After the deductible, Plan N provides its standardized Part B benefits, subject to its permitted office and emergency-room copay structure and potential excess charges.
Video Explanation from Keith
The Medicare Part B Deductible Explained in 60 Seconds
Keith's Take
The Part B deductible is probably one of the simplest Medicare expenses.
For 2026 it’s $283 for the year.
If you have Plan G, think of it this way:
You pay your Part B premium every month.
You satisfy the $283 deductible when applicable.
Then Plan G gives you very comprehensive coverage for Medicare-approved Part B expenses.
Don’t confuse the deductible with your monthly Medicare premium.
Keith Armbrecht
Medicare on Video
Frequently Asked Questions About the Part B Deductible
Q. How much is the Medicare Part B deductible in 2026?
A. $283.
Q. Is it monthly?
A. No. It's an annual deductible.
Q. Does it reset?
A. Generally every January.
Q. Is it the same as the Part B premium?
A. No.
Q. Does Plan G pay the Part B deductible?
A. No.
Q. Does Plan N pay it?
A. No.
Q. Does Medicare Advantage use the same deductible?
A. Medicare Advantage plans have their own plan-specific cost structures, so check the individual plan.
Q. Does the deductible change every year?
A. It can. CMS establishes Medicare Part B costs annually.
Official Government Sources
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