Medicare Deductable

zaqxsw

Recycles dryer sheets
Joined
Apr 7, 2006
Messages
256
Location
SW Ohio
We have traditional Medicare plus a Medigap Plan G policy.

Just curious as the DW wife and I have different views. If we have a medical service in December, where its service date is 12/xx/24, and it isn't filed/cleared by Medicare by 12/31/24, does any remaining deductible due carry over into the New Year?

In other words, if we have met our 2024 deductibles, should we be paying anything in 2025 for service given in 2024?

I think the answer is simple but need the forum's opinion to settle it.
 
This is based mostly on my pre-medicare experience with employer provided plans, but it appears to ALWAYS be the "date of service" that is relevant for such questions. I would expect that for services consumed in 2024, the 2024 deductible will apply and nothing will carry over into 2025. 2025 deductible will start for any services consumed on or after January 1.
I'm waiting with bated breath for additional comments because if I'm wrong, I need to know....:facepalm:
 
I’m certainly no expert but my understanding is the deductible applies to the date of service. In this case, if the service was provided in ‘24 and your deductible had already been met for that year, you will not owe anything when the service is billed in ‘25. Regardless of when it is billed, it is a ’24 service.
 
Thanks for the replies!

It can be a problem. I’m right way too often and wish I wasn’t… I’ve slowly learned just not to comment which can also be a problem.

Don’t get me wrong, DW is smarter than me on lots of things and we still get along great after 44 years!
 
Here are some real-life numbers relating to deductibles at the end of the year.

On 12-27-23, I went to urgent care for coughing crud. It was my first doctor visit that year (I tried to wait until January 1 but I just couldn't do it).

The claim in my Medicare account says service date was 12-27-23, and the claim processed date is 1-3-24. I was responsible for $92.49 (the full Medicare-approved charge, since I hadn't met any of my deductible for 2023). On the claim, it says: Total applied to deductible: $92.49, along with "You must meet your 2023 Part B deductible of $226 before Medicare begins to pay."

On 4-26-24 (the next claim year), I went to a doctor for what turned out to be a broken ankle. I was responsible for $143.16 (the full Medicare-approved charge). On the claim, it says: Total applied to deductible: $143.16, along with "You must meet your 2024 Part B deductible of $240.00 before Medicare begins to pay."

And at the top of my page showing all my claims, it currently says "Your remaining Part B deductible for 2024: $96.84," which is $240 (deductible) minus $143.16 (claims so far this year).

So...date of service is what matters, and the deductible resets on January 1 each year.

And right on schedule, I got the coughing crud again, and broke down and went to urgent care yesterday. At least this time it was almost two weeks before the deductible reset, instead of just a few days. I still have a solid week to incur post-deductible (free!) calamities.
 
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