CMS (Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services) has released the 2020 Medicare Costs for Medicare Part A and Medicare Part B.
The Medicare Part A inpatient hospital deductible will increase to $1,408.00, an increase of $44.00 from the 2019 deductible. Unlike the Medicare Part B deductible, which is an annual deductible, the Medicare Part A deductible of $1,408.00 applies to each benefit period of 60 days. An example would be if you were admitted as an inpatient to a hospital in February and released several days later that would be considered one benefit period. If 60 days or later in the same year, you were admitted again as an inpatient to a hospital that would be considered a second Medicare Part A benefit period and you or your plan would be responsible for another $1,408.00.
The standard monthly premium for Medicare Part B for a single person making less than $87,000 a year or a couple making less than $174,000 in 2018 (CMS uses your income from two years prior to your Medicare Part B start date) will go from $135.50 to $144.60, which is a $9.10 a month increase from 2019. Singles or couples making more than the amounts shown above will pay a higher Medicare Part B premium. (See table 1 below)
Table 1
If your yearly income in 2018 was: |
You pay each month in 2020 |
||
File individual tax return | File joint tax return | File married & separate tax return | |
$87,000 or less | $174,000 or less | $87,000 or less | $144.60 |
above $87,000 up to $109,000 | above $174,000 up to $218,000 | Not applicable | $202.40 |
above $109,000 up to $136,000 | above $218,000 up to $272,000 | Not applicable | $289.20 |
above $136,000 up to $163,000 | above $272,000 up to $326,000 | Not applicable | $376.00 |
above $163,000 and less than $500,000 | above $326,000 and less than $750,000 | above $87,000 and less than $413,000 | $462.70 |
$500,000 or above | $750,000 and above | $413,000 and above | $491.60 |
The Medicare Part B annual deductible will increase from $185.00 to $198.00. After the annual deductible is met, you or your plan will typically pay 20% of the Medicare-approved amount for most Part B services which including doctor services, home healthcare, many preventative services, outpatient care, and durable medical equipment.
Note
Medicare will use your tax returns from 2018 to determine your Part B premium for 2020.
Your Questions and Concerns are my Business
I help seniors confused by their Medicare options by explaining Medicare in plain English, saving them time and money.
Whether you are new to Medicare and need someone to explain how the different parts of Medicare work together or have had a Medicare plan for years and want to know if you may be paying too much, I am here to help.
I specialize in Medicare plans for seniors and represent all Medicare Supplement plan types.
Medicare Explained in Plain English