Does Medicare cover it? A to Z
Does Medicare cover radiation therapy?
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Short answer
Covered: Part A and Part B
Yes, Medicare covers radiation therapy: Medicare Part A covers it for hospital inpatients, and Medicare Part B covers it for outpatients and for patients in freestanding clinics.
For radiation therapy as an outpatient or in a freestanding clinic in 2026, you pay 20% of the Medicare-approved amount under Medicare Part B after the $283 Part B deductible.
For radiation therapy as a hospital inpatient, you pay the Medicare Part A deductible ($1,736 for each benefit period in 2026) and any Part A coinsurance that applies.
| Fact | Figure | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Radiation therapy as a hospital inpatient | Covered by Part A | Medicare.gov |
| Radiation therapy as an outpatient or in a freestanding clinic | Covered by Part B | Medicare.gov |
| What you pay as an outpatient | 20% of the Medicare-approved amount after the $283 Part B deductible | Medicare.gov |
| What you pay as an inpatient | The Part A deductible ($1,736 per benefit period) and coinsurance if it applies | Medicare.gov |
| Inpatient days 61 to 90 | $434 a day in 2026 | Medicare.gov |
| Doctors' services while you're an inpatient | Part B generally covers 80% of the Medicare-approved amount | Medicare.gov |
What does Medicare cover for radiation therapy?
Medicare covers radiation therapy under both parts of Original Medicare, depending on where you get it:
- Medicare Part A (Hospital Insurance) covers radiation therapy for hospital inpatients. To be an inpatient, you're admitted to a hospital that accepts Medicare with a doctor's order saying you need inpatient care.
- Medicare Part B (Medical Insurance) covers radiation therapy for outpatients and for patients in freestanding clinics.
What do I pay for radiation therapy as an outpatient?
If you're an outpatient or in a freestanding clinic, you pay 20% of the Medicare-approved amount for the therapy after you meet the Part B deductible ($283 in 2026). For services in a hospital outpatient department, Medicare.gov says you also usually pay the hospital a copayment for each service, and in most cases that copayment can't be more than the Part A deductible.
What you owe depends on other insurance you have, what your doctor charges, whether your doctor accepts assignment, the type of facility and where you get the therapy, so ask your provider what the treatment will cost.
What do I pay for radiation therapy as a hospital inpatient?
If you're an inpatient, you pay the Part A deductible and coinsurance, if it applies. In 2026, Part A costs for each benefit period are:
- Days 1 to 60: the $1,736 Part A deductible, then $0 a day.
- Days 61 to 90: $434 a day.
- Days 91 to 150: $868 a day while you use your 60 lifetime reserve days.
- After day 150: you pay all costs.
- Part B generally covers 80% of the Medicare-approved amount for doctors' services you get while you're in the hospital.
Does Medicare cover the scans and tests that go with radiation therapy?
Medicare Part B covers diagnostic non-laboratory tests, like CT scans, MRIs, PET scans and X-rays, when your provider orders them to find or treat a medical problem. You pay 20% of the Medicare-approved amount after the Part B deductible, plus a hospital copayment if you get the test as a hospital outpatient. For CT, MRI, nuclear medicine or PET scans outside a hospital, Medicare only pays if the provider is accredited. See what Medicare covers for MRI and CT scans.
Does Medicare Advantage or Medigap change what I pay?
Medicare Advantage plans must cover all medically necessary services that Original Medicare covers, but their out-of-pocket costs vary, and a plan may require approval (prior authorization) or ask you to use providers in its network. See how Medicare Advantage differs from Original Medicare.
With Original Medicare, a Medicare Supplement Insurance (Medigap) policy helps pay your Part A and Part B out-of-pocket costs for covered services, like copayments, coinsurance and deductibles.
Good to know
More questions people ask
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Related questions
- Medicare.gov: Radiation therapy
- Medicare.gov: Inpatient hospital care
- Medicare.gov: Outpatient hospital services
- Medicare.gov: Diagnostic non-laboratory tests
- Medicare.gov: Clinical research studies
- Medicare.gov: Compare Original Medicare and Medicare Advantage
- Medicare.gov: Medigap basics
Figures are Medicare’s, set nationally, and were checked against these pages on October 2026. For your own situation, contact Medicare.gov or 1-800-MEDICARE (TTY 1-877-486-2048).
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This page was last updated: October 2026.