Medicare 2019 pricing article

[VanWinkle]

I just came across this article.




https://www.thinkadvisor.com/2018/1...&cn=20181012&src=EMC-Email&pt=LifeHealthDaily

VW

 

[Fedup]

I’m surprised that income band doesn’t go up with inflation. Maybe this is another way to soak the rich.

 

[MichaelB]

Here’s the source from Medicare, announcing 2019 prices
https://www.cms.gov/newsroom/press-...019-medicare-parts-b-premiums-and-deductibles

The standard monthly premium for Medicare Part B enrollees will be $135.50 for 2019, a slight increase from $134 in 2018.

CMS also announced that the annual deductible for Medicare Part B beneficiaries is $185 in 2019, an increase from $183 in 2018.

On average, Medicare Advantage premiums will decline while plan choices and new benefits increase. On average, Medicare Advantage premiums in 2019 are estimated to decrease by six percent to $28, from an average of $29.81 in 2018.

IRMAA amounts can be found on the CMS fact sheet, here https://www.cms.gov/newsroom/fact-sheets/2019-medicare-parts-b-premiums-and-deductibles

 

[Telly]

The thinkadvisor article messed up the Part A deductible increase for 2019, they mentioned the 1.8% increase, but did not apply it, and left it at 2018's $1,340. It should be, as stated from the CMS article:

The Medicare Part A inpatient deductible that beneficiaries will pay when admitted to the hospital is $1,364 in 2019, an increase of $24 from $1,340 in 2018.

 

[MBSC]

Medicare supplement High-Deductible F (HD-F) max OOP increases to $2300 for 2019, up from $2240.

Assuming only Part B services, you pay the first $185, then Medicare pays 80% and you pay 20% until your 20% totals $2115, then HD-F pays the 20%.

Reference: https://www.medicare.gov/supplements-other-insurance/how-to-compare-medigap-policies

I’m surprised that income band doesn’t go up with inflation.

The IRMAA income bands were temporarily frozen as part of the ACA.

"Under current law, the income thresholds for the higher premiums for Parts B and D are frozen through 2019. The thresholds will increase by about 2 percent in 2020 and will be indexed after that for general price inflation." Reference: https://www.cbo.gov/budget-options/2016/52236