2019 Medicare Costs
Medicare Part A
Most people don’t pay a monthly premium for Part A (sometimes called “premium-free Part A”). If you paid Medicare taxes for 40 or more quarters and you have earned your Social Security Benefit then you will not pay the Part A premium. You have earned it through your taxes.
However, if you paid Medicare taxes for less than 30 quarters, the standard Part A premium you will pay is $437.
If you paid Medicare taxes for 30-39 quarters, the standard Part A premium is $240.
Medicare Part B
The standard Part B premium amount for 2019 will increase by $1.50. The premium will increase from $134 to $135.50.
Medicare Deductibles
The annual deductible for all Part B beneficiaries will be $185.00 in 2019. However, depending on the insurance plan you choose, this deductible may be covered by your supplmental insurance plan.
The Medicare Part A annual deductible that beneficiaries pay when admitted to the hospital will be $1,364.00 in 2019.. The Part A deductible covers your share of costs for the first 60 days of Medicare-covered inpatient hospital care per stay in the hospital. After this 60 day period the daily coinsurance amount will be $341 for days 61 through 90 and $682 for each lifetime reserve day used. Again, depending on the insurance plan you choose, these deductibles and some coinsurance amounts may be covered by your insurance plan.
Higher income households will pay more.
If your household income is more than $85,000 and you are single or more than $170,000 and married you will pay a higher monthly premium for Part B that will be between $189.60 to $460.50 depending on your income. Click here to download a pamphlet from Social Security titled, “Medicare Premiums: Rules for Higher-Income Beneficiaries for more information.”
Your income is based on your tax return from 2 years prior. Meaning for 2019 Social Security will use your tax return from 2017 to determine your household income. But you may be able to get the high-income surcharge reduced or eliminated if your income has decreased since then because of certain life-changing events, such as the death of a spouse, divorce, retirement or reduced work hours. In that case, you can ask Social Security to use your more recent income instead. Contact the Social Security Administration, estimate your 2019 income, and provide evidence of the change, such as a marriage or death certificate, a signed statement of retirement from your employer, or pay stubs showing your reduced income.
Are you retiring in 2019?
There is no cost or obligation for you to talk to me and get the answers to your questions. I welcome all questions and it is my goal to be the single best resource in the state for such questions. And when the time comes for you to enroll in a Medicare Supplement and Prescription Drug Plan, I will help you with that too.
I am a licensed insurance agent working in Maine and New Hampshire. I have contracts with the top health insurance companies available in the area. I am able to help you via email, on the phone, or in person.
If you would like to review your options over the phone or schedule a meeting at your home or office you can reach me at 207-370-0143 or schedule an appointment on my booking website here.
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That’s right. You pay nothing to meet with me. I am paid by the insurance companies in the form of a commission when you enroll in a plan. You pay the same price for the insurance whether you go direct to the insurance company or take advantage of working with someone who has experience and knowledge to help guide you. My goal is to help people and I have found great joy in being able to offer my services to people who need my help.
Would you like my help?
If you would like to talk to me or schedule a meeting at your home or a nearby meeting place, you can reach me at 207-370-0143 or use my simple form on the CONTACT ME page of this site to send an email message. The best part about working with me is that it will not cost you anything to meet with me to discuss your options or to review the plans that are available. I am paid by the insurance companies in the form of a commission if you enroll in a plan. You will not pay any more than anyone else and you are under no obligation whatsoever to enroll in any plans if you meet with me.
“My goal is to help you and I have found great joy in being able to offer my services to people who need my help.”