2014 Medicare Parts A, B, C and D Deductibles and Premiums

We are now in the Medicare Enrollment Period (October 15 through December 7) and Medicare-aged patients are making decisions about which type of Medicare coverage they want. See a description of the different types of Medicare coverage here.

Currently-enrolled patients should have already received a "Plan Annual Notice of Change" (ANOC) that describes any changes in their coverage, costs, or service area that will be effective in January.

For the most part, Medicare deductibles and premiums are unchanged from 2013, or have decreased slightly.

Medicare Part A: Hospital Insurance Premium for 2014

Most 65+ patients get Part A for free if they already receive retirement benefits from Social Security or Railroad Retirement due to taxes paid during working years. To receive free Medicare Part A, people must have at least 40 quarters of Medicare-covered employment. Beneficiaries who have between 30 and 39 quarters of coverage may buy Medicare Part A at a reduced monthly premium rate, which is $234 for 2014 (down from $243 in 2013.) Part A includes coverage for:

• Inpatient care in hospitals
• Skilled nursing facility care
• Hospice care
• Home health care - skilled nursing care, physical therapy, occupational therapy, speech therapy, medical social services, dietary and home health aides (100% covered with no co-pay) for homebound patients after a 3-day hospital stay

Medicare Part B: Medical Insurance Premium for 2014

The 2014 Part B premium is $104.90 per month for most, but not all patients. Some patients automatically get Part B, others may have to pay more based on their IRS tax return from 2012. Part B includes coverage for:

• Services from doctors and other health care providers
• Outpatient care (includes emergency room and observation services for physician charges)
• Home health care - services provided to a homebound patient when the patient has not been hospitalized for 3 days prior to need
• Durable medical equipment
• Some preventive services

The Medicare Part B deductible is $147 for 2014 - the same as for 2013.

Medicare Part C: Medicare Advantage Plans

Medicare Advantage plans are also called Medicare Replacement plans because they replace traditional or original Medicare with a plan offered by a Medicare-approved private insurance company (BCBS, UHC, etc.) Premiums vary with individual Medicare Advantage Plans. Medicare Advantage Plans:

• Include all benefits and services covered under Part A and Part B
• Usually include Medicare prescription drug coverage (Part D) as part of the plan
• May include extra benefits and services for an extra cost
• Cannot be used in combination with a Medigap policy

Patients should call their physician practices and ask if they will still be participating with the plan before making a decision to continue with the plan.

Medicare Part D: Prescription Drug Coverage for 2014

Monthly premiums will vary based on income, and whether or not Part D is included if the patient opts for Part C coverage. Some plans have deductibles and some do not. Most drug plans have a coverage gap referred to as the "donut hole", which means coverage is temporarily limited after the patient and drug plan have spent a certain amount for covered drugs. In 2014, once the patient reaches the donut hole, they are responsible for 47% of the plan's cost for covered name-brand drugs and 72% of the plan's cost for covered generic drugs until the end of the donut hole is reached. The donut hole will continue to shrink until 2020 when the donut hole will cease to exist.

Medicare Supplement Insurance (also called Medigap)

Medicare supplemental policies are sold by private insurance companies and help pay some of the health care costs that are the responsibility of the beneficiary such as deductibles and co-insurance. Patients have a one-time 6-month Medigap Open Enrollment Period which starts the first month they are 65 and enrolled in Part B. This period gives patients a guaranteed right to buy any Medigap policy sold in their state regardless of their health status.

Patients can compare plans at medicare.gov (they've not heard of any glitches at this site!) There is a plan finder which allows people to compare different plans offered in their zip code.