Each year, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) updates cost-sharing requirements for the various parts of Medicare. On October 12, 2023, CMS released the updated figures for 2024. Here’s what beneficiaries and agents/brokers need to know.
Medicare Part A cost-sharing increased
99% of Medicare beneficiaries pay no Part A premium, due to them having paid FICA taxes for over 40 quarters. For those who have not met that requirement, they will see modest increases in their monthly premium payments. See the table below.
| Medicare Part A Premium (per month) |
| |
2024 |
2023 |
| Enrollees over age 65, contributed to FICA for 40+ quarters |
$0 |
$0 |
| Enrollees over age 65, contribute to FICA for 30-39 quarters |
$278 |
$278 |
| Enrollees over age 65, contributed to FICA for fewer than 30 quarters |
$505 |
$506 |
Regardless of what they pay (or not!) in premium, all Part A beneficiaries are subject to cost-sharing for any inpatient care they receive – whether that care occurs in a hospital or a skilled nursing facility. Cost sharing for Part A is based on benefit periods. The table below details what beneficiaries can expect to pay for each type of service.
| Medicare Part A Deductible and Coinsurance Amounts for Calendar Years 2023 and 2024 by type of cost-sharing |
| |
2024 |
2023 |
| Inpatient hospital deductible |
$1,632 |
$1,600 |
| Daily coinsurance for days 61-90 |
$408 |
$400 |
| Daily coinsurance for lifetime reserve days |
$816 |
$800 |
| Skilled nursing facility coinsurance for days 21-100 |
$204 |
$200 |
Increase in Part B premium, Deductible; IRMAA Brackets Adjusted
The base premium for full Part B will increase from $164.90 per month to $174.70 per month. The change is a result of a projected increase in healthcare spending.
Since 2007, a beneficiary’s monthly part B premium has been dependent on income and tax filing status. Income-related monthly adjustment amounts impact about 8% of enrollees. Total premiums for a variety of income brackets and filing statuses are shown in the tables below. Note these brackets have shifted some, as a result of inflationary pressures.
| Full Part B Coverage |
|
Beneficiaries who file individual tax returns with modified adjusted gross income:
|
Beneficiaries who file joint tax returns with modified adjusted gross income:
|
Income-Related Monthly Adjustment Amount
|
Total Monthly Premium Amount
|
|
Less than or equal to $103,000
|
Less than or equal to $206,000
|
$0.00
|
$174.70
|
|
Greater than $103,000 and less than or equal to $129,000
|
Greater than $206,000 and less than or equal to $258,000
|
$69.90
|
$244.60
|
|
Greater than $129,000 and less than or equal to $161,000
|
Greater than $258,000 and less than or equal to $322,000
|
$174.70
|
$349.40
|
|
Greater than $161,000 and less than or equal to $193,000
|
Greater than $322,000 and less than or equal to $386,000
|
$279.50
|
$454.20
|
|
Greater than $193,000 and less than $500,000
|
Greater than $386,000 and less than $750,000
|
$384.30
|
$559.00
|
|
Greater than or equal to $500,000
|
Greater than or equal to $750,000
|
$419.30
|
$594.00
|
| Full Part B Coverage |
|
Beneficiaries who are married and lived with their spouses at any time during the year, but who file separate tax returns from their spouses with modified adjusted gross income:
|
Income-Related Monthly Adjustment Amount
|
Total Monthly Premium Amount
|
|
Less than or equal to $103,000
|
$0.00
|
$174.70
|
|
Greater than $103,000 and less than $397,000
|
$384.30
|
$559.00
|
|
Greater than or equal to $397,000
|
$419.30
|
$594.00
|
Beginning in 2023, some Medicare beneficiaries who are 36 months post kidney transplant, and are no longer eligible for full Medicare coverage, can choose to have Part B cover their immunosuppressive drugs. This coverage comes with a reduced premium, but that premium is still based on income and tax filing status. A variety of income brackets and tax filing statuses are shown below.
| Part B Immunosuppressive Drug Coverage Only |
|
Beneficiaries who file individual tax returns with modified adjusted gross income:
|
Beneficiaries who file joint tax returns with modified adjusted gross income:
|
Income-Related Monthly Adjustment Amount
|
Total Monthly Premium Amount
|
|
Less than or equal to $103,000
|
Less than or equal to $206,000
|
$0.00
|
$103.00
|
|
Greater than $103,000 and less than or equal to $129,000
|
Greater than $206,000 and less than or equal to $258,000
|
$68.70
|
$171.70
|
|
Greater than $129,000 and less than or equal to $161,000
|
Greater than $258,000 and less than or equal to $322,000
|
$171.70
|
$274.70
|
|
Greater than $161,000 and less than or equal to $193,000
|
Greater than $322,000 and less than or equal to $386,000
|
$274.70
|
$377.70
|
|
Greater than $193,000 and less than $500,000
|
Greater than $386,000 and less than $750,000
|
$377.70
|
$480.70
|
|
Greater than or equal to $500,000
|
Greater than or equal to $750,000
|
$412.10
|
$515.10
|
| Part B Immunosuppressive Drug Coverage Only |
|
Beneficiaries who are married and lived with their spouses at any time during the year, but who file separate tax returns from their spouses with modified adjusted gross income:
|
Income-Related Monthly Adjustment Amount
|
Total Monthly Premium Amount
|
|
Less than or equal to $103,000
|
$0.00
|
$103.00
|
|
Greater than $103,000 and less than $397,000
|
$377.70
|
$480.70
|
|
Greater than or equal to $397,000
|
$412.10
|
$515.10
|
Part D IRMAA brackets have also changed
While Part D plan premiums are determined by private insurers, high-income earners may also be subject to an income-related monthly adjustment amount. This adjustment is deducted from an enrollee’s Social Security benefit. Figures for a variety of income brackets and tax filing statuses are displayed below.
| Medicare Part D Income-Related Monthly Adjustment Amounts |
|
Beneficiaries who file individual tax returns with modified adjusted gross income:
|
Beneficiaries who file joint tax returns with modified adjusted gross income:
|
Income-related monthly adjustment amount
|
|
Less than or equal to $103,000
|
Less than or equal to $206,000
|
$0.00
|
|
Greater than $103,000 and less than or equal to $129,000
|
Greater than $206,000 and less than or equal to $258,000
|
$12.90
|
|
Greater than $129,000 and less than or equal to $161,000
|
Greater than $258,000 and less than or equal to $322,000
|
$33.30
|
|
Greater than $161,000 and less than or equal to $193,000
|
Greater than $322,000 and less than or equal to $386,000
|
$53.80
|
|
Greater than $193,000 and less than $500,000
|
Greater than $386,000 and less than $750,000
|
$74.20
|
|
Greater than or equal to $500,000
|
Greater than or equal to $750,000
|
$81.00
|
|
Medicare Part D Income-Related Monthly Adjustment Amounts
|
|
Beneficiaries who are married and lived with their spouses at any time during the year, but file separate tax returns from their spouses with modified adjusted gross income:
|
Income-related monthly adjustment amount
|
|
Less than or equal to $103,000
|
$0.00
|
|
Greater than $103,000 and less than $397,000
|
$74.20
|
|
Greater than or equal to $397,000
|
$81.00
|
What it means for agents, brokers, and beneficiaries
Everything's gotten more expensive this year, but that should come as no surprise given overall economic trends. Beneficiaries should explore their financial situation with the support of a licensed insurance professional and collaborate to develop a Medicare benefits package that best fits their needs.
Action Benefits : Nov 11, 2024
Action Benefits