Breaking down Medicare 2019 premiums, deductibles; Covering; The Bases

What is the Medicare Part B premium for 2019?

The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services announced that the base 2019 Part B premium will be $135.50 a month.

If you are considered a higher earner, you will pay more than the base rate of $135.50 a month for Medicare Part B. Higher earners pay $135.50 a month plus a pro-rated income-related monthly adjustment amount. SSA defines higher earners as individuals with modified adjusted gross income above $85,000 per year or couples (who file taxes jointly) with modified adjusted gross incomes above $170,000 per year.

Below is a breakdown of the 2019 Part B monthly premium costs:

*Beneficiaries filing individual tax returns ($85,000 and below) and beneficiaries filing joint tax returns ($170,000 and below) will have $0 for the income-related monthly adjustment amount and will pay $135.50 for total monthly Part B premiums.

*Beneficiaries filing individual tax returns ($85,001 to $107,000) and joint tax returns ($170,001 to $214,000) will have $54.10 for the income-related monthly adjustment amount and will pay $189.60 for total monthly Part B premiums.

*Beneficiaries filing individual tax returns ($107,001 to $133,500) and joint tax returns ($214,001 to $267,000) will have $135.40 for the income-related monthly adjustment amount and will pay $270.90 for total monthly Part B premiums.

*Beneficiaries filing individual tax returns ($133, 501 to $160,000) and joint tax returns ($267,001 to $320,000) will have $216.70 for the income-related monthly adjustment amount and will pay $352.20 for total monthly Part B premiums.

*Beneficiaries filing individual tax returns ($160,001 to $500,000) and joint tax returns ($320,001 to $750,000) will have $297.90 for the income-related monthly adjustment amount and will pay $433.40 for total monthly Part B premiums.

*Beneficiaries filing individual tax returns ($500,001 and above) and joint tax returns ($750,001 and above) will have $325 for the income-related monthly adjustment amount and will pay $460.50 for total monthly Part B premiums.

If you are a higher earner and have questions about your monthly Medicare Part B premium, contact Social Security for more information at 1-800-772-1213 or visit www.ssa.gov.

What are the Medicare Part A and Medicare Part B deductibles for 2019?

The Part B (medical) deductible will be $185 per calendar year. The Medicare Part A (hospital) deductible will be $1,364 per benefit period. Please note that Part B is a calendar year deductible; Part A has a benefit period deductible. Below is an explanation of a benefit period.

The Medicare Part A deductible is not set on a calendar year basis; the Medicare Part A deductible is for a benefit period. The "Medicare and You" handbook states a benefit period begins on the day you are admitted into a hospital; the benefit period ends when you haven't received any inpatient hospital care or inpatient skilled nursing care for 60 days in a row. If you are admitted back into the hospital after one benefit period has ended, you are now in a new benefit period and you are responsible for a new Part A deductible.

Amy Rubino is the director of the Senior Health Insurance Assistance Program

and the Senior Medicare Patrol for the

Anne Arundel County Department of

Aging and Disabilities. You may contact either program at 410-222-4257 or ship_program@aacounty.org.

Credit: Amy Rubino - Amy Rubino is the director of the Senior Health Insurance Assistance Program ;and the Senior Medicare Patrol for the ;Anne Arundel County Department of ;Aging and Disabilities. You may contact either program at 410-222-4257 or ship_program@aacounty.org.