CMS (Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services) has released the 2019 premiums for Medicare inpatient hospital (Part A) and physician and outpatient services (Part B).
The Part A inpatient hospital deductible will increase to $1,364.00, an increase of $24.00 from the 2018 deductible. Unlike the Medicare Part B deductible, which is an annual deductible, the Medicare Part A deductible of $1,364.00 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 $1,364.00.
The standard monthly premium for Medicare Part B for a single person making less than $85,000 a year or a couple making less than $170,000 in 2019 will go from $134.00 to $135.50, which is a $1.50 a month increase from 2018. Singles or couples making more than the amounts stated above will pay a higher Part B premium. (See table 1 below)
Table 1
| If your yearly income in 2017 was: | You pay each month in 2019 | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| File individual tax return | File joint tax return | File married & separate tax return | |
| $85,000 or less | $170,000 or less | $85,000 or less | $135.50 |
| above $85,000 up to $107,000 | above $170,000 up to $214,000 | Not applicable | $189.60 |
| above $107,000 up to $133,500 | above $214,000 up to $267,000 | Not applicable | $270.90 |
| above $133,500 up to $160,000 | above $267,000 up to $320,000 | Not applicable | $352.20 |
| above $160,000 and less than $500,000 | above $320,000 and less than $750,000 | above $85,000 and less than $415,000 | $433.40 |
| $500,000 or above | $750,000 and above | $415,000 and above | $460.50 |
The Medicare Part B annual deductible will increase from $183.00 to $185.00. After the annual deductible is met, you will typically pay 20% of the Medicare-approved amount for most Part B services (including doctor services while you’re a hospital inpatient), outpatient therapy, and durable medical equipment.
Note
Medicare will use your tax returns from 2017 to determine your Part B premium for 2019.
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