Changes in Medicare Deductibles and Co-Insurance For 2009

First let’s mention the Social Security cost-of-living increase in your January check. The increase is 5.8 percent and the largest in many, many years. The average increase will be $63. In 2009, the monthly premium for Medicare Part B (medical coverage) that is deducted from your Social Security check will again be based on your adjusted gross income taken from your 2007 income tax return. Basic monthly premium for singles earning $85,000 or less and for married couples earning $170,000 or less will remain at $96.40, the same as in 2008.For single individuals earning between $85,001 and $107,000, the premium will be $134.90; between $107,001 and $160,000, it will be $192.70; between $160,001 and $213,000, it will be $250.50 and for those earning over $213,000, the Part B premium will be $308.30.For married couples filing a joint return and earning $170,001 to $214,000, the premium will be $134.90; $214,001 to $320,000 will be $192.70; $320,001 to $426,000 will be $250.50 and for those earning over $426,000, the premium will be $308.30. For those who are married but filing separate returns, the premium will be $96.40 for incomes of $85,000 or less; for incomes of $85,001 to $128,000, the premium will be $250.50 and for incomes greater than $128,000, the cost will be $308.30. The Part B annual deductible you must pay out of pocket before Medicare will cover claims will remain at $135, the same as in 2008. Medicare Part A (hospital coverage) deductibles and co-insurance have increased. In 2009, the hospital deductible per benefit period will be $1,068 — an increase of $44 (up from $1,024 for 2008). Medicare Part A has no co-insurance for the first 60 days of a hospital stay. However, for days 61 through 90, the co-insurance will be $267 per day and for days 91 through 150, it will be $534 per day. If you are transferred to a skilled nursing facility and meet Medicare’s strict eligibility requirements, there will be no co-insurance for the first 20 days. For days 21 through 100, the co-insurance will be $133.50 per day. Medicare does not cover stays beyond 100 days. For those who have assigned their Medicare benefits to a Senior Advantage Plan (an HMO or PPO), there may be additional premiums. Blue Cross offers one PPO, Freedom Blue 1, with no monthly premium and a deductible of $1,050. The HMOs in Ventura County are Aetna with two options — one with no premium and one with a premium of $22.30; Kaiser with no monthly premium; SCAN with no monthly premium; and Secure Horizons (in west county only), with two plans, each with a $60 monthly premium (however, one plan has no Part D prescription coverage). I think that basically covers Medicare changes for 2009.

-Betty Berry
Senior Concerns Advocate