Volume 41 | Issue 81
Download this FYI as a printable PDF
CMS has announced the 2019 Medicare Part A and B premium, deductible and coinsurance amounts. There is a small increase in Part A and Part B amounts. The 2019 Medicare Part D parameters were released earlier this year. (See our May 16, 2018 For Your Information.)
Medicare Part A
On October 12, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) announced the Medicare Part A premium, deductible and coinsurance amounts for 2019 and provided a fact sheet with additional background.
Premiums
Approximately 99% of Medicare beneficiaries do not pay a Part A premium because they have at least 40 quarters of Medicare-covered employment. For those individuals who pay a premium, the Medicare Part A premiums for the 12-month period beginning on January 1, 2019 are as follows:
| Premium Type | 2019 | 2018 | Change |
| Premium to purchase coverage for individuals not otherwise eligible for Medicare Part A and certain disabled individuals | $437 | $422 | 3.6% |
| Premium for certain individuals entitled to a reduced monthly premium (who had at least 30 quarters or were married to someone with at least 30 quarters of Medicare-covered employment) | $240 | $232 | 3.4% |
Deductible and Coinsurance Amounts
The Medicare Part A deductible and coinsurance amounts for the 12-month period beginning on January 1, 2019 are as follows:
| Deductible and Coinsurance Type | 2019 | 2018 | Change |
| Deductible for up to 60 days of Medicare-covered inpatient hospital care | $1,364 | $1,340 | 1.8% |
| Daily coinsurance for 61st through 90th day of hospitalization | $341 | $335 | 1.8% |
| Daily coinsurance for lifetime reserve days | $682 | $670 | 1.8% |
| Daily coinsurance for 21st through the 100th day of extended care services in skilled nursing facility | $170.50 | $167.50 | 1.8% |
Medicare Part B
The CMS announcement and fact sheet also included the Medicare Part B monthly premium rates and annual deductible amounts for 2019.
The standard monthly premiums for Medicare Part B for 2019 and 2018 are as follows:
| Premium Type | 2019 | 2018 | Change |
| Standard monthly premium | $135.50 | $134.00 | 1.1% |
About 3.5% of Part B enrollees benefit from a “hold harmless” provision that protects them from any increase in Part B premiums (typically deducted from Social Security checks) that would effectively reduce their monthly Social Security payments.
Comment: The following individuals are not protected by the “hold harmless” provision:
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- New Medicare enrollees in 2019
- Higher-income Medicare beneficiaries
- Medicare beneficiaries dually eligible for Medicare and Medicaid
- Medicare Part B enrollees not receiving Social Security benefits
The 2019 Medicare Part B monthly premiums based on income tax filing status and income are:
| Individual Filing Status | Married Filing Jointly Status | 2019 Monthly Premium | 2018 Monthly Premium | Change |
| Income up to $85,000 | Income up to $170,000 | $135.50 | $134.00 | 1.1% |
| $85,001 – $107,000 | $170,001 – $214,000 | $189.60 | $187.50 | 1.1% |
| $107,001 – $133,500 | $214,001 – $267,000 | $270.90 | $267.90 | 1.1% |
| $133,501 – $160,000 | $267,001 – $320,000 | $352.20 | $348.30 | 1.1% |
| $160,001 – $499,999 * | $320,001 – $749,999 * | $433.40 | $428.60 | 1.1% |
| $500,000 or more * | $750,000 or more * | $460.50 | $428.60 | 7.4% |
* Income ranges changed from 2018 to 2019
| Married Filing Separately, Lived with Spouse During Tax Year | 2019 Monthly Premium | 2017 Monthly Premium | Change |
| Income up to $85,000 | $135.50 | $134.00 | 1.1% |
| $85,001 – $414,999 * | $433.40 | $428.60 | 1.1% |
| $415,000 or more * | $460.50 | $428.60 | 7.4% |
* Income ranges changed from 2018 to 2019
Finally, the Medicare Part B deductibles for the 12-month period beginning on January 1, 2019 and January 1, 2018 are as follows:
| Deductible Type | 2019 | 2018 | Change |
| Medicare Part B | $185 | $183 | 1.1% |