In 2026, the Medicare Part B deductible is $283 a year. You pay the first $283 of Medicare-approved Part B costs, and after that you usually pay 20% of the Medicare-approved amount for most doctor services, outpatient care, and medical equipment. Original Medicare has no yearly cap on that 20%, unless you have extra coverage like a Medigap plan.
What is the Medicare Part B deductible for 2026?
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) set the 2026 Part B deductible at $283, up $26 from $257 in 2025. You pay it once each calendar year. It resets on January 1.
The standard Part B monthly premium for 2026 is $202.90. Some people pay more based on income. The premium is separate from the deductible: you pay the premium every month whether or not you see a doctor.
What does 20% coinsurance mean for Medicare Part B?
Coinsurance is your share of the cost, figured as a percentage. Once you've met your deductible, Medicare pays 80% of the Medicare-approved amount for most Part B services, and you pay 20%.
The key phrase is "Medicare-approved amount." That's the amount Medicare allows for a service. It's often lower than what the doctor's office lists as its charge. Your 20% is figured from the approved amount.
Can you walk me through an example of the deductible and 20%?
Here's an illustrative example with made-up approved amounts. Real amounts vary by service, location, and provider. The $283 deductible is the official 2026 figure.
Say it's January 2026, and you haven't had any Part B services yet this year.
Visit 1: a specialist visit with an approved amount of $350.
- The first $283 goes toward your deductible. You pay $283.
- That leaves $67 of the approved amount ($350 − $283).
- Medicare pays 80% of $67, which is $53.60.
- You pay 20% of $67, which is $13.40.
- Your total for visit 1: $296.40. Medicare pays: $53.60.
Your deductible is now met for the rest of 2026.
Visit 2: a follow-up visit in March with an approved amount of $150.
- No deductible left to pay.
- Medicare pays 80%: $120.
- You pay 20%: $30.
- Your total for visit 2: $30. Medicare pays: $120.
Visit 3: an outpatient test in June with an approved amount of $400.
- Medicare pays 80%: $320.
- You pay 20%: $80.
By June in this example, you've paid $406.40 out of pocket for Part B services ($296.40 + $30 + $80), on top of your monthly premiums.
How does this show up on my Medicare Summary Notice (MSN)?
Your Medicare Summary Notice (MSN) shows each claim with the Medicare-approved amount, the amount Medicare paid, and the "Maximum You May Be Billed." On page 1, the MSN also tells you how much of your deductible you've met for the year.
For visit 1 in the example above, the MSN would show an approved amount of $350, Medicare paid $53.60, and maximum you may be billed $296.40. Your doctor's bill should match that number, minus anything you already paid or anything a supplement plan covers.
Is there a limit on how much 20% coinsurance I can pay in a year?
Original Medicare doesn't have a yearly out-of-pocket limit. Medicare's "Understanding Medicare Advantage Plans" booklet says there's no yearly limit on what you pay out of pocket in Original Medicare unless you have supplemental coverage, such as a Medicare Supplement Insurance (Medigap) policy or coverage from a former employer or union.
That's why a costly year, such as one with surgery, cancer treatment, or dialysis, can leave a large 20% balance for someone with Original Medicare alone.