2012 Medicare Premiums, Co Pays and Deductibles were released this month and there is an a lot of good news for beneficiaries.
For those that were enrolled prior to 2009 they will only see their premiums for Part B rise by a few dollars. Those during 2010 & 2011 will see a decrease going forward.
Other great news for Part B is that the deductible has dropped and even high income earners who happen to be targets in today’s society will see the surcharges falling anywhere from $0.40 to roughly $50 a month for Parts B & D.
Here is a breakdown of what is in store for Medicare beneficiaries in 2012
Part A;
- Deductible $1,156 for 2012 up from $1,132 in 2011 – an increase of $24 per incidence
- For those that do not qualify for Medicare through Social Security the premiums have also changed
- Those that only have 30 – 39 quarters the premium will stay level at $248 a month
- Those who have under 30 quarters will see the premium increase $1 to $451 a month
- The hospital benefit periods have changed too;
- First 60 days is still the deductible = $1,156
- Day 61 – 90 is now $289 a day up from $283 = increase of only $6
- Day 91 – 150 is now $578 a day up from $566 = increase of only $12
- Skilled Nursing increased to $144.50 per day for days 21 through 100 each benefit period from $141.50
Part B;
- The 2012 premium for Part B will be $99.90. this is a decrease of $15.50 a month for those that enrolled in 2011, a decrease of $10.60 for some that enrolled in 2010 and a slight increase for those that enrolled prior to 2010 at $96.40 – they will see an increase of $3.50 a month
- The Co Pay is still 20%
- The deductible has also been changed to $140 per incident, a decrease of $22 from $162.
- Other great news for high income earners the surcharges have been lowered as well, the new brackets are as follows;
- Earn $85,001 - $107,000 – Premium = $139.90 a decrease from 2011 of $21.60
- Earn $107,001 -$160,000 – Premium = $199.90 a decrease from 2011 of $30.80
- Earn $160,001- $214,000 – Premium = $259.70 a decrease from 2011 of $40.20
- Earn above $214,000 – Premium = $319.70 a decrease from 2011 of $49.40
**For couples please just double the income amounts**
Part D;
- The initial deductible will increase from $310 to $320
- The out of pocket threshold in the "Donut Hole" will increase from $4,550 to $4,700
- High Income earners will also, like Part B, see a decrease in surcharges
- Earn $85,001 - $107,000 – Premium = $11.60 a decrease of $0.40 from 2011
- Earn $107,001 -$160,000 – Premium = $29.90 a decrease of $1.20 from 2011
- Earn $160,001- $214,000 – Premium = $48.10 a decrease of $2.00 from 2011
- Earn above $214,000 – Premium = $66.40 a decrease of $2.70 from 2011
Medicare beneficiaries will have a lot to smile about in 2012, on average for those that are healthy they can possibly save an extra few hundred dollars, while for physicians and hospitals they will see things get bundled going forward.
For more information on Medicare please see www.medicare.gov