How Do Medicare Deductibles Work? 
A deductible is the amount you must pay before your benefits `` kick in '' and begin paying -LRB- for most services - some benefits , such as preventive care , provide coverage immediately -RRB- . The Medicare Part A deductible for 2014 is $ 1,216 ; The Medicare Part B deductible for 2014 is $ 147 . After you 've met the deductible , you will still be responsible for coinsurance and copayments for many healthcare services . Original Medicare -LRB- Medicare Part A & Part B -RRB- only covers approximately 80 % of your healthcare expenses . A Medigap plan -LRB- a.k.a. Medicare supplement plan -RRB- is designed to cover all or a portion of the gaps in Original Medicare -LRB- the other 20 % -RRB- . There are 10 plans to choose from - A , B , C , D , F , G , K , L , M , and N. Plans F is the most comprehensive plan , but is generally also the most expensive plan - plans G and N provide very similar benefits but at a lower cost and can be much more suitable to certain individuals . If you 're trying to keep your premiums to a much lower level , there 's also what 's called a `` high-deductible '' plan F that provides the same benefits as the regular plan F , but requires a deductible to be paid first -LRB- $ 2,140 in 2014 -RRB- . I hope the information is helpful - please feel free to contact me for help and if you have any other questions . Thanks very much . 