If you have Medicare, you know it helps significantly with medical costs, but does not pay for everything. You are still responsible to pay a portion of your medical expenses including Medicare copayments, coinsurance, and deductibles. You may be wondering, how much are the Medicare deductibles for 2021?
(It’s important to note that the deductibles and coinsurance amounts are adjusted annually.)
2021 Medicare Deductibles
According to Medicare.gov, the Part A hospital inpatient deductible for 2021 is
$1,484 per benefit period. A benefit period begins the day you go into a hospital or skilled nursing facility and ends when you have been out for 60 days in a row. If you go back into the hospital after 60 days, a new benefit period starts and the deductible happens again.
There is a $0 coinsurance for each benefit period for days 1-60; $371 coinsurance per day in a benefit period for days 61-90; and $742 coinsurance per each ‘lifetime reserve day’ for days 91 and beyond (up to 60 days over your lifetime). You pay all costs beyond lifetime reserve days.
For beneficiaries in skilled nursing facilities, the daily coinsurance for days 21 through 100 of extended care services in a benefit period is $185.50 in 2021.
The Part B deductible and coinsurance for 2021 is
$203 plus 20 percent of the Medicare-approved amount for most doctor services after the deductible is met.
Other Costs
If you have Medicare, you may be responsible for other costs, such as the Part A premium and the Part B premium.
While most people do not pay a monthly premium for Part A, enrollees who have paid Medicare taxes for fewer than 40 quarters pay a monthly premium in order to voluntarily enroll in Medicare Part A.
Part B has a standard premium of $148.50, which may be higher depending on your income.
Medicare Supplement Policy
If you have Original Medicare, Medicare Supplement insurance policies can help pay for some of the remaining health care costs.
If you buy a Medicare Supplement insurance policy, it can help pay Medicare copayments, coinsurance, and deductibles. Many different insurance companies sell Medicare Supplement insurance policies and have different policies to choose from that offer a range in benefits and premium amounts.
Medicare Supplement plans allow you to choose any doctor that accepts Medicare.
Get details about policies that may meet your insurance needs.
Medicare Advantage
If you want an alternative to Original Medicare, you may purchase a Medicare Advantage insurance policy. These insurance policies are sold by private companies that are approved by Medicare. They include coverage for Medicare Part A, Medicare Part B, and usually Medicare Part D. Different policies charge different amounts for out-of-pocket costs.
If you have Medicare Advantage, you cannot also have a Medicare Supplement insurance policy.
If you have any questions about Medicare deductibles, visit Medicare.gov. If you have any questions about purchasing a Medicare Supplement policy, contact a licensed insurance agent.
Sources:
- Medicare.gov, Medicare Costs at a Glance, 2021
- Medicare.gov, How Do Medicare Advantage Plans Work?, 2021