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The remaining 30 percent of Medicare\u2019s 58 million beneficiaries will pay the standard Part B premium of $134 for 2017, a 10 percent increase over the 2016 premium of $121.80.<\/p>\n
This smaller group is not protected under the statutory \u201chold harmless\u201d provision linked to the Social Security COLA. It includes people who don\u2019t receive Social Security benefits; enroll in Part B for the first time in 2017; are directly billed for their Part B premium; are eligible for both Medicare and Medicaid and have their premiums paid by a state agency; and those who pay higher premiums based on their higher incomes.<\/p>\n
This year, as in the past, the government has worked to lessen projected premium increases for these beneficiaries, while maintaining a prudent level of reserves to protect against unexpected costs. The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services will work with Congress as it explores budget-neutral solutions to challenges created by the \u201chold harmless\u201d provision.<\/p>\n
Part B also has an annual deductible, which will rise to $183 in 2017 (compared with $166 in 2016). After your deductible is met, you typically pay 20 percent of the\u00a0Medicare-approved amount\u00a0for most doctor services (including most doctor services while you\u2019re a hospital inpatient), outpatient therapy and\u00a0durable medical equipment.<\/p>\n
The Part A deductible, which you pay when admitted to the hospital, will be $1,316 per benefit period in 2017, up from $1,288 in 2016. This deductible covers your share of costs for the first 60 days of Medicare-covered inpatient hospital care in a benefit period.<\/p>\n
People with Medicare will also pay coinsurance of $329 per day for the 61st\u00a0through 90th\u00a0day of hospitalization in a benefit period ($322 in 2016), and $658 per day for lifetime reserve days ($644 in in 2016).<\/p>\n
For beneficiaries in skilled nursing facilities, the coinsurance for days 21 through 100 in a benefit period will be $164.50 in 2017 (versus $161 in 2016).<\/p>\n
Since 2007, higher-income people with Medicare have paid higher Part B premiums. These income-indexed rates affect about 5 percent of people with Medicare. So, for example, a person with Medicare who files an individual tax return showing an income between $85,000 and $107,000 will pay a Part B premium of $187.50 per month next year.<\/p>\n
Some people choose to get their benefits through privately-operated Medicare Advantage health plans, or purchase a Medicare Part D plan to help cover their prescription drug costs. Many of these plans carry their own monthly premiums.<\/p>\n