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How Much is Medicare?

October 10, 2023

How Much is Medicare?

If you qualify for Medicare, you’re probably wondering how much you’ll pay. The answer can be confusing because there are a variety of expenses you are responsible for, including a monthly premium, deductibles, and copayments.

Also, the cost of each part of Medicare is different. For example, Part A is premium-free for most Americans but Part B has a monthly premium. Understanding what you’ll pay for different plans is an important part of making the right choices for your needs.

This guide will help you understand the costs of Medicare so you can choose the best coverage for you.

Is Medicare Actually Free?

Medicare is made up of different parts, most of which are not free. However, there are ways to get help paying for your Medicare costs if you have a lower income and assets.

Original Medicare is made up of Parts A and B, and many people choose to add Part D as well. Part A is hospital insurance, Part B is medical coverage for doctor’s visits and medical supplies, and Part D covers prescription medication. Each of these parts has its own costs.

Medicare Advantage, or Medicare Part C, is an alternative to Original Medicare. These plans provide at least as much coverage as Original Medicare and often include drug coverage and additional benefits. Medicare Advantage has a variety of costs as well.

Regardless of which Medicare plan you choose, you will have at least some out-of-pocket costs.

What is the Cost of Medicare for 2023?

The costs of Medicare change slightly from year to year to account for inflation in the price of care and medical supplies. CMS will soon release the latest information on Medicare costs for 2024. This guide to 2023 changes to Medicare outlines the new rates for premiums and deductibles as well as other changes you should be aware of.

When it comes to Medicare costs, each part is different, so we’ll look at each one individually.

If you have a Medicare Supplement Plan (Medigap) you may pay less out of pocket, and if you qualify for a Medicare Savings Program you might have lower costs as well.

How Much is Medicare Part A?

For most people, Medicare Part A doesn’t have a monthly premium. In 2023, if you use your insurance for an inpatient hospital stay, you’d pay a deductible of $1,600. This deductible is an increase over the $1,556 amount it was in 2022.

After the deductible, the first 60 days of inpatient hospital care in a year have a $0 coinsurance bold text. For days 61 - 90 in a year, the coinsurance increases from $389 to $400 per day. Day 91 to 150 is $800 a day. 

Once those 150 days are used up, you have to pay the full costs of your medical care each time you go beyond 90 days in a hospital stay.

How Much is Medicare Part B?

Medicare Part B has three types of costs — a monthly premium, a deductible, and coinsurance.

In 2023, the monthly premium for most Americans is $164.90. The deductible is $226 in 2023, a decrease from $233 in 2022. Following these costs, you pay a coinsurance of 20% of the Medicare-Approved amount for the care you receive.

How Much is Medicare Part D?

Similar to Medicare Part B, Part D has a monthly premium, a deductible, and a copayment for medications you need.

The specific Part D premium will depend on the plan you choose. Medicare Part D is offered by different private insurance companies, so you’ll want to compare plans. The average 2022 premium for Part D was $33 per month. The average total Part D premium is projected to decrease from $56.49 in 2023 to $55.50 in 2024.

When selecting a Part D plan, ensure that your required medications are part of the plan. Then, at your premium, deductible, and copayment amounts before you make a decision.

Who Actually Pays for Medicare?

Medicare is funded through two trust funds held by the Treasury, which get money from social security taxes and money authorized from Congress. Everyone pays 1.45% of their income into FICA, and employers pay another 1.45%, totaling 2.9%.

Other funds come from income taxes paid on Social Security benefits, interest earned from the investments the trust fund makes with available funds, and Medicare Part A premiums paid by those who don’t get the coverage for free.

Also, when you enroll in Medicare, you pay part of the costs yourself through monthly premiums, deductibles, and copayments or coinsurance.

How Much is Taken Out of Your Social Security Check for Medicare?

In general, the only amount automatically deducted from your Social Security payment each month is your Medicare Part B premium.

If you’ve chosen to enroll in Medicare Part D as well, you can opt to have that automatically deducted from your Social Security payment. If you select a Medicare Advantage plan instead of Original Medicare, you can choose to pay that separately or have it automatically deducted from your Social Security check. You’ll need to arrange automatic payments for Part D or Part C with the insurer.

If you start receiving Medicare before you get Social Security benefits, you will be billed by Medicare every quarter. That means you’ll be responsible for paying three months at a time, so be sure to budget for the expense.

How Much Does the Average Senior Pay for Medicare?

How much does Medicare cost at age 65? The truth is there’s no single answer. The costs of Medicare vary widely depending on how much medical care you need. If you need a lot of medical procedures or medication, you could pay a lot more than someone else who needed less medical attention.

Most individuals pay a monthly premium for Medicare Part B. However, those with higher incomes may pay a higherPart B premium, and those with lower incomes may get help from the State in paying some, or all, of their Medicare premiums, Part D plans also have different premium, deductible, and copayment structures. And similar to Part B, those with higher incomes are subject to pay more; those with lower incomes may get extra help in paying Part D costs. If you choose Part C instead of Original Medicare, you’ll have a variety of options for coverage and out-of-pocket costs.

That’s why it’s so important to understand Medicare coverages and compare them carefully. When you make the right choices for your needs, you can get the most out of your Medicare costs.

Learn More About Medicare Costs

This article answered many common questions about Medicare costs, but many times talking to someone helps you get a better understanding of the options available. We have licensed agents available to help you compare Medicare Advantage plans and answer any other questions you have.

Contact us today to learn more about Medicare costs and choose a plan!

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