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Medicare Part C Deductible: How Medicare Advantage Deductibles Work in 2027

Reviewed by Russell Noga, Licensed Medicare Insurance Broker (all 50 states) — Last updated October 29, 2026

There is no single Medicare Part C deductible; each Medicare Advantage plan sets its own, and many plans have a $0 medical deductible. Plans with drug coverage may also have a separate Part D deductible of up to $700 in 2027, and every plan has a yearly out-of-pocket limit that caps your medical costs.

2027 by the Numbers

medical deductible offered by many Medicare Advantage plans

$700

highest Part D deductible allowed in 2027 (CMS)

$2,400

2027 cap on out-of-pocket Part D drug costs (CMS)

$292

projected 2027 Part B deductible (Medicare Trustees)

Deductibles are one of the most confusing parts of Medicare. Original Medicare has fixed deductibles for Part A and Part B that everyone pays. Medicare Advantage works differently. Each private plan picks its own deductible, and some plans have two: one for medical care and one for drugs.

This page explains how the Medicare Part C deductible works for 2027, why many plans charge $0, how the drug deductible fits in and how the yearly out-of-pocket limit protects you. If you are new to Part C, start with our page on Medicare Part C plans for 2027.

✔ Licensed in all 50 states
✔ Based on CMS 2027 data
✔ Free plan comparison

Key Highlights

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Each Medicare Advantage plan sets its own medical deductible, and many charge $0.

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Plans with drug coverage may have a separate drug deductible of up to $700 in 2027.

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Every plan must have a yearly maximum out-of-pocket limit for covered medical care.

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You still pay your Part B premium, even in a $0 deductible plan.

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What a Deductible Means in Medicare Advantage

A deductible is the amount you pay for covered care before your plan starts to share the cost. In Medicare Advantage, the deductible is part of the plan design, so it can be $0, a few hundred dollars or more, depending on the plan.

Even when a plan has a deductible, many services may be covered before you meet it. Preventive care, such as yearly wellness visits and many screenings, is usually covered at no cost. Some plans also let you pay a flat copay for doctor visits before the deductible applies.

Medical deductible

for hospital and doctor care

Drug deductible

for Part D prescriptions

Out-of-pocket limit

caps yearly medical costs

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Why Many Plans Have a $0 Medical Deductible

Many Medicare Advantage plans, especially HMOs, skip the medical deductible and use copays instead. You pay a set amount for each visit or service from the start of the year.

$0 deductible plan

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Copays start on day one

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Easier to predict costs for each visit

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Often found in HMO plans

Plan with a deductible

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You pay more up front for some services

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May have a lower premium or other trade-offs

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More common in some PPO plans

Look past the deductible: A $0 deductible does not mean $0 costs. Hospital stays, specialist visits and imaging can still carry copays or coinsurance.

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How Part C Compares With Original Medicare Deductibles

Original Medicare has two fixed deductibles. In Medicare Advantage, the plan’s own cost sharing replaces them for covered services.

Cost item	Original Medicare	Medicare Advantage
Part A hospital deductible	$1,736 per benefit period in 2026	Replaced by plan copays, often per day
Part B medical deductible	$283 in 2026; projected $292 in 2027	Set by the plan; many are $0
Drug deductible	Separate Part D plan, up to $700 in 2027	Up to $700 in 2027 if the plan includes drugs
Yearly spending limit	None	Required in every plan

2027 Part B figures are Medicare Trustees projections; CMS announces the final amounts in November. 2027 Part A figures had not been released when this page was written.

To weigh the two paths side by side, see our page on Medicare Advantage 2027 or Original Medicare.

The Separate Drug Deductible

Most Medicare Advantage plans include Part D drug coverage. The drug side follows Medicare’s Part D rules, which means it can have its own deductible separate from the medical deductible.

2027 drug deductible basics

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The highest Part D deductible a plan can charge in 2027 is $700.

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Many plans charge less, and some charge $0.

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Some plans apply the deductible only to higher drug tiers, so generics may be covered right away.

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Once you pay $2,400 out of pocket for covered drugs in 2027, you pay nothing more for covered drugs that year.

For more on how drug coverage works in these plans, see our guide to the Medicare Advantage prescription drug plan.

The Yearly Out-of-Pocket Limit

Every Medicare Advantage plan must have a maximum out-of-pocket limit, often called the MOOP. Once your deductible, copays and coinsurance for covered medical services reach that amount, the plan pays 100% of covered medical care for the rest of the year.

Plan type	What the limit covers	2026 CMS ceiling
HMO	In-network services only	$9,250
PPO	Separate in-network limit plus a combined in-network and out-of-network limit	$9,250 in network; $13,900 combined

CMS updates these ceilings every year. Many plans set their own limits below the ceiling. Check the 2027 limit in each plan’s Summary of Benefits.

Good to know: Your Part D drug costs do not count toward the medical MOOP. Drugs have their own $2,400 cap in 2027.

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How PPO Deductibles and Limits Work

PPO plans let you see providers outside the network, so they often have more layers of cost sharing. Some PPOs have a deductible only for out-of-network care, while others use one deductible for both.

Check the in-network deductible Many PPOs have a low or $0 deductible for in-network care.

Check the out-of-network deductible Some PPOs charge a separate deductible before they pay for out-of-network care.

Find both limits PPOs list an in-network limit and a higher combined limit that counts all covered care.

Compare total risk Add the premium to the combined limit to see your worst-case yearly cost.

If you mostly use in-network doctors, the in-network numbers matter most. If you travel or see out-of-network specialists, focus on the combined limit.

How to Find a Plan's Deductible for 2027

Use Medicare Plan Finder Each plan listing shows its health deductible, drug deductible and out-of-pocket limit.

Read the Summary of Benefits This short document lists deductibles and copays for common services.

Check the Evidence of Coverage The full document explains which services the deductible applies to.

Review your Annual Notice of Change If you already have a plan, this notice shows any deductible changes for 2027.

Deadline: The Annual Enrollment Period ends December 7, 2026. Changes you make by then take effect January 1, 2027.

Bottom Line

The Bottom Line

The Medicare Part C deductible depends on the plan you choose. Many plans have a $0 medical deductible, the drug deductible can reach $700 in 2027, and every plan caps your yearly medical costs, so compare all three numbers before you enroll.

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Frequently Asked Questions

➤ Is there a standard Medicare Part C deductible?

No. Each Medicare Advantage plan sets its own deductible. Many have a $0 medical deductible, while others charge one, especially some PPO plans.

➤ Do Medicare Advantage plans have a drug deductible?

Plans that include Part D may have a separate drug deductible. In 2027, it cannot be higher than $700, and many plans charge less or nothing.

➤ Does a $0 deductible plan mean I pay nothing?

No. You still pay copays or coinsurance for many services and your Part B premium. A $0 deductible only means the plan starts sharing costs right away.

➤ What is the out-of-pocket limit in Medicare Advantage?

It is the most you pay in a year for covered medical services. CMS sets a ceiling each year, and plans can set lower limits. Check each plan’s 2027 limit in its Summary of Benefits.

➤ Do drug costs count toward the medical out-of-pocket limit?

No. Part D drug costs have their own cap, which is $2,400 in 2027. The medical limit covers only Part A and Part B services.

➤ Do I pay the Part B deductible in a Medicare Advantage plan?

Not directly. Your plan’s own deductible and copays replace the Part B deductible for covered services, but you still pay the Part B premium.

➤ Do preventive services count toward the deductible?

Most preventive services, such as the yearly wellness visit and many screenings, are covered at no cost in Medicare Advantage plans, even before you meet a deductible.

➤ Can my plan’s deductible change for 2027?

Yes. Plans can change deductibles each year. Your Annual Notice of Change lists any updates, and you can switch plans during the Annual Enrollment Period, October 15 to December 7, 2026.

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Compare 2027 Medicare Advantage plans with drug coverage from several insurance companies in one call.

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Find a plan to fit your needs

Medicare Part C Deductible: How Medicare Advantage Deductibles Work in 2027

Key Highlights

What a Deductible Means in Medicare Advantage

Why Many Plans Have a $0 Medical Deductible

How Part C Compares With Original Medicare Deductibles

The Separate Drug Deductible

The Yearly Out-of-Pocket Limit

How PPO Deductibles and Limits Work

How to Find a Plan's Deductible for 2027

Bottom Line

Frequently Asked Questions

➤ Is there a standard Medicare Part C deductible?

➤ Do Medicare Advantage plans have a drug deductible?

➤ Does a $0 deductible plan mean I pay nothing?

➤ What is the out-of-pocket limit in Medicare Advantage?

➤ Do drug costs count toward the medical out-of-pocket limit?

➤ Do I pay the Part B deductible in a Medicare Advantage plan?

➤ Do preventive services count toward the deductible?

➤ Can my plan’s deductible change for 2027?

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