Medicare changes every year. It’s important to stay up to date. We want to help you understand some of the key differences between Medicare in 2018 and 2019.
If you don’t have a clear understanding of Medicare, the video below will be a helpful resource.
Before we show the Medicare changes, let’s recap the different parts of Medicare:
Part A
Part A of Medicare covers hospitalization.
It includes:
- Hospital Care
- Home health
- Skilled Nursing Facilities
- Hospice
- Inpatient care in a religious nonmedical health insurance institution
Medicare pays for 100 % of the bill for Hospital Care and Skilled Nursing Facilities excluding the Part A deductible for a certain number of days. However, after that period you are required to pay a copayment for each extra day. For example, hospital visits days 1 through 60 are covered, but after the 60th you must pay Medicare a copayment per day each day that you are there.
Part A Medicare Changes
Below are the key differences between 2018 & 2019 copayments.
2018 Healthcare Copayments Plans per day
- Part A Deductible: $ 1,340.00 (per benefit period)
- Days 61-90: $335.00
- Days 91-150: $370.00
- Day 151+: All Costs
- Skilled Nursing Facilities (Days 21-100): $167.50
2019 Healthcare Copayment Plans per day
- Part A Deductible: $ 1,364.00 (per benefit period)
- Days 61-90: $341.00
- Days 91-150: $682.00
- Day 151+: All Costs
- Skilled Nursing Facilities (Days 21-100): $170.50
Since copayments can increase every year it is especially helpful to have a Medicare Supplement. Plans F, G, or N are here to help pay for the required Part A hospital deductibles and copayments. It should be noted that at the end of 2019, Plan F is going away. Click here for more information.
Before showing the Part B Medicare changes, let’s recap what Part B is:
Part B
Medicare Part B pays for physicians in or outside of the hospital.
Part B includes:
- Doctors’ Services
- Outpatient Care
- Home Health
- Medical Equipment
- Mental Health
Furthermore, the Part B deductible is different from Part A. Part B is an annual fee that you must pay before Medicare will pay anything.
Listed below are the Part B Medicare changes in deductibles and premiums from 2018 to 2019.
2018
- Deductible: $183.00
- Premium: 134.00
2019
- Deductible: $185.00
- Premium: $135.50
- Income-Related Monthly Adjustment (IRMAA): $134.00 (<85k) up to $428.00 (>160k)
Part D Medicare Changes
Part D of Medicare is the are that covers prescription drugs. It can be a common misunderstanding that Medicare Supplements cover this area. However, that is not the case.
The annual deductible for this in 2019 is $415, as compared to last years which was $405.
Remember to look for the Medicare 2020 changes in either October and November of this year.
Your Medicare questions are important to us. We have nationally licensed insurance agents ready and waiting to help you. Call our Medicare Helpline and ask any question (888) 446-9157. Get a Medicare Supplement instant quote here.
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