2010 Medicare Plan Changes

Effective January 1, 2010, CMS made the following changes to Medicare's deductible and coinsurance.

·        Part A deductible will increase from $1,068 to $1,100

·        Part A coinsurance amounts increased from:       

          $267 to $275 per day for care from the 61st to the 90th day in the hospital 

          $534 to $550 per day for the 60 lifetime reserve day

Skilled Nursing Facility Care Coinsurance from $133.50 to $137.50 per day for days 21 through 100

For Medicare Part B, the yearly deductible and premium changed for 2010. The deductible will change from $135 to $155 and the premium will change from $96.40 to $110.50 per month. Social Security Administration announced there would be no increase in Social Security benefits for 2010.  As a result of the hold-harmless provision, the increase in the Part B premium for 2010 will be paid by only a small percentage of Part B enrollees. Most Part B enrollees will pay the same monthly premium that they paid in 2009 ($96.40 was the 2009 standard monthly premium).