Medicare Deductibles

Medicare premiums, deductibles and coinsurance rates for Original Medicare are adjusted each year. Original Medicare includes Medicare Part A hospital insurance and Part B medical insurance. Each has different deductibles.

You can find out if you’ve met your Medicare Part A or Part B deductible for the year at MyMedicare.gov.

Medicare Part A covers certain hospitalization costs, including inpatient care in a hospital, skilled nursing facility care, hospice and home health care. It does not cover long-term custodial care.

For 2022, the Medicare Part A deductible is $1,556 for each benefit period. If you re-enter the hospital or skilled nursing facility any time after your benefit period ends, you will have to pay the first $1,556 again as a new deductible.

For 2022, your Medicare Part B deductible is $233. That’s a $30 increase over 2021.

Unlike Medicare Part A, there is no benefit period tied to Medicare Part B.

After meeting the deductible, you’ll usually have to pay 20 percent of the Medicare-approved costs for most doctor services, outpatient care and durable medical equipment — things such as wheelchairs or walkers your doctor may order for you.

Deductibles for Medicare Part C, also known as Medicare Advantage plans, and Medicare Part D prescription drug coverage varies based on the plan you purchase. Both Medicare Advantage and Part D plans are sold by private insurers that have contracts with the Medicare program.

Medicare Advantage plans may offer coverage that absorb some of your out-of-pocket costs. Though Medicare Advantage deductibles may vary, all plans must set a limit on your maximum out-of-pocket (MOOP) expenses. This is a total spread across your deductibles, coinsurance and copayments.

For 2022, the MOOP for Medicare Advantage plans is $7,550 for in-network care. It can be higher for out-of-network care or services. But once you hit your MOOP for the year, the plan has to cover 100 percent of all further costs.

Some Medicare Part D prescription drug plans don’t have a deductible. Those that do may not have a deductible of more than $480 in 2022.

Medigap, also known as Medicare Supplement plans, can help pay some of your out-of-pocket costs, including your Medicare Part A deductibles.

These plans are sold through private insurers. There are eight standardized plans across 47 states and the District of Columbia. There are different standardized plans for Minnesota, Massachusetts and Wisconsin.

Each plan has a letter for a name. Some of these plans may cover all or a portion of your Part A deductible.

Medigap Plans C and F were the only two to cover the deductible for Medicare Part B. However, Plans C and F are available only to people who became eligible for Medicare before Jan. 1, 2020.