2019 Medicare Premiums & Costs

2019 Medicare Cost Summary

Part A Premium: While free for most people, those that must buy into Part A will pay up to $437/month based on their Social Security earnings history.

• Deductible: $1,364 per benefit period
  • A benefit period begins when you are admitted as an inpatient and ends when you have not received inpatient care for 60 consecutive days.
• Hospital Copays:
  • Days 1-60: $0 copay
  • Days 61-90: $341/day
  • Days 90+: $682/day (limited to 60 reserve lifetime days, unless you have supplemental coverage that provides additional hospital days)
• Skilled Nursing Facility Copays:
  • Days 1-20: $0 copay
  • Days 21-100: $170.50/day
  • Days 101+: Full Cost

Part B Premium: $135.50/month

• Annual Deductible: $185
• Coinsurance: 20% for Medicare approved services. This may be as high as 35% if your doctor(s) does not accept Medicare Assignment.

Part D Costs:
Your monthly Part D premium depends on the plan you choose that best meets your needs.

• Standard Deductible: $415 (some plans do not charge the deductible)
• Initial Coverage Limit: $3,820
• Donut Hole/Gap Coverage:
  • You will pay 37% of the cost for Generic medications.
  • You will pay 25% of the cost for Brand medications. Under the budget deal passed last year, the donut hole for brand medications closed a year early.
• Catastrophic Coverage: Effective once you have spent $5,100.
  • Greater of 5% or $3.40 for generic and preferred medications.
  • Greater of 5% or $8.50 for all other medications.

​Income Related Monthly Adjustment Amount (IRMAA):
Higher income earners will be subject to increased Medicare Part B & D premiums as outlined in the table below. Note that these income thresholds include any tax-exempt interest income as well.