Updated December, 2019

The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) has announced the new 2020 Medicare premiums, deductibles, and coinsurance amounts for 2019 (Federal Register, Nov. 13, 2019).

Many people who have their Part B premiums deducted directly from their Social Security benefits will pay $144.60 or less.  The exact amount varies for different individuals. You should check your Social Security statement or establish and check an online Social Security account for the exact amount if you fit in this category.  The “standard” premium is $144.60, but a provision in the law called the “hold-harmless” provision says that Social Security benefits cannot be lowered if the Part B premiums rise faster than the Social Security COLA (1.6% in 2020).

The standard 2020 Medicare Part B premium (single individuals with income of $87,000 or less; joint filers with income of $174,000 or less) is $144.660. The premiums increase with higher incomes).

Here are the essential Medicare figures:

• Part B standard premium: $144.60
• Part B deductible: $198
• Part A deductible: $1,408 for hospital stays during initial 60 days
• Co-payment for hospital stay days 61-90: $352/day
• Co-payment for hospital stay days 91-150: $704/day
• Patient responsible for ALL Part A costs beyond day 150 (thus the importance of a good Medicare supplemental policy)
• Skilled nursing facility co-payment, days 21-100: $176/day for days 21-100

As directed by 2003 Medicare law and subsequent law, higher income beneficiaries will pay higher Part B premiums. Social Security will base the premiums on reported income (for federal tax purposes) from two years previously (e.g., 2018 income for 2020 Medicare premiums).

As mentioned above, the standard premium for Part B is $144.60 monthly. Premiums will increase for those in the following higher income brackets:

• Individuals with annual incomes greater than $87,000 and less than or equal to $109,000 and married couples with annual incomes greater than $174,000 and less than or equal to $218,000 will pay in 2020 a monthly premium of $202.40.
• Individuals with annual incomes greater than $109,00 but less than or equal to $136,000 and married couples with annual incomes greater than $218,000 but less than or equal to $272,000 will pay in 2020 a monthly premium of $289.20.
• Individuals with annual incomes greater than $136,000 but less than or equal to $163,000 and married couples with annual incomes greater than $272,000 but less than or equal to $326,000 will pay in 2020 a monthly premium of $376.00.
• Individuals with annual incomes greater than $163,000 but less than or equal to $500,000 and married couples with annual incomes greater than $326,000 but less than or equal to $750,000 will pay in 2019 a monthly premium of $462.70.
• Individuals with income of $500,000 or greater or married couples with income of $750,000 or greater will pay in 2020 a monthly premium of $491.60.

Part A Premiums

Because most people have 40 or more quarters of covered employment, they do not pay Medicare Part A premiums. Other people may “buy-in” to Medicare Part A – the most commonly effected individuals are those with disabilities who do not have a significant work history. The buy-in rates for Part A are up to $458 per month.