Happy New Year! As I do every new year, I wanted to post the key, new Medicare numbers that will be in effect for 2024. These are the key changes to Medicare’s premiums and coverages.
• Part A deductible – Will be $1632 up from $1600 (per 60 day Benefit Stay)
• Part B Deductible – Will be $240 up from $226 (Annual deductible)
• Part B Premium – Will be $174.70 up from $164.90 (for most people)
• Part D Maximum Deductible – Will be $545 up from $505 (Some plans don’t have a deductible and most have a “hybrid” deductible.)
• Part D Premium National Average – Will be $34.70 up from $31.50 (Is used to determine Part D Penalty)
Feel free to contact me if you have any questions or need assistance with selecting a Medicare Plan. I don’t charge any fees nor increase your cost.
Based in the Richmond, Va. area, David Higgs of Choices In Medicare, LLC specializes in helping seniors transition to Medicare. He can be reached at email: dwhiggs@gmail.com or go to website: www.ChoicesInMedicare.com
All posts by David Higgs
Medicare to Negotiate Part D Drug Prices
You may have seen the recent news that Medicare has announced the first 10 drugs they will begin negotiating drug prices directly with the drug manufacturers. While this sounds like good news, it has some limitations. Firstly, they won’t announce the prices until September 2024 and won’t be in effect until January 2026! That is a long time to wait and for only 10 drugs. But, I guess we have to start somewhere. Also, a recent improvement has already been introduced that caps many diabetic related drugs to $35. This has already had a big impact on drug costs for the millions of diabetics in the US. The other factor is that most people don’t know that drug prices are already being negotiated by the Part D drug plans (and PBM’s). These are some very large national companies with significant negotiation leverage. The way the government makes it sound is that there are no negotiations or competitive environments, allowing the drug manufacturers to charge whatever price they want. That is not the case. Because of the complications involved with drug pricing in today’s world, there are some who think we will be unpleasantly surprised by the outcome, or at least be underwhelmed. The biggest feature that will help people who have high Part D drug costs will be the $2000 out-of-pocket maximum that will be a part of Part D drug plans beginning in 2025. That is good news!
If you want to read more about the new Medicare drug negotiations, I have linked an article below:
Feel free to contact me if you have any questions or need assistance with selecting a Medicare Plan. I don’t charge any fees nor increase your cost.
Based in the Richmond, Va area, David Higgs of Choices In Medicare is an independent insurance broker who specializes in helping seniors transition to Medicare. He can be reached at email: dwhiggs@gmail.com or go to website: www.ChoicesInMedicare.com
We do not offer every plan available in your area. Currently we represent Anthem, Aetna, Humana, UnitedHealthcare, Wellcare and SilverScript organizations which offer 58 Plans in your area (Richmond Metro). Please contact Medicare.gov or 1-800-MEDICARE , or your local State Health Insurance Program (SHIP) to get information on all of your options.
Finally, CMS Fixes Late IEP Part B Request Effective Date Determinant
One thing I have complained about and blogged for a long time was CMS’ arcane formula for determining the Part B effective date for people who requested it during their IEP (Initial Enrollment Period) when first eligible for Medicare. The old system had multi month delays in Part B effective date if requested during the last 3 months of their initial 7-month IEP window (after their birthday month). It had a weird schedule of delayed effective dates and even eliminated one month from contention. Finally, they have fixed it with a common-sense approach. For someone making their request in the first 3 months of their IEP, it is still the first of their birthday month. But now, if they make their request in the last 3 months of their IEP (after their birthday month), the effective date will be the first of the following month. Very simple, easy to understand and common sense.
That is one less thing I now have to complain about and explain to clients. Am looking for a new demon, perhaps the Irmaa income surcharges. Nobody likes that. Oh well.
Feel free to contact me if you have any questions or need assistance with selecting a Medicare Plan. I don’t charge any fees nor increase your cost.
Based in the Richmond, Va area, David Higgs of Choices In Medicare specializes in helping seniors transition to Medicare. He can be reached at email: dwhiggs@gmail.com or go to website: www.ChoicesInMedicare.com
New 2023 Medicare Costs at a Glance
Happy New Year! As I do every new year, I wanted to post the key, new Medicare numbers that will be in effect for 2023. These are the key changes to Medicare’s premiums and coverages.
- Part A deductible – Will be $1600 up from $1556 (per 60 day Benefit Stay)
- Part B Deductible – Will be $226, down from $233 (Annual deductible)
- Part B Premium – Will be $164.90, down from $170.10
- Part D Maximum Deductible – Will be $505, up from $480 (Some plans don’t have a deductible and most have a “hybrid” deductible.)
- Part D Premium National Average – Will be $31.50, down from $33.37 (Is used to determine Part D Penalty)
As previously blogged, the Part B premium and deductible decreased this year
Feel free to contact me if you have any questions or need assistance with selecting a Medicare Plan. I don’t charge any fees nor increase your cost.
Based in the Richmond, Va area, David Higgs of Choices In Medicare specializes in helping seniors transition to Medicare. He can be reached at email: dwhiggs@gmail.com or go to website: www.ChoicesInMedicare.com
MEDICARE REDUCES COST OF PART B PREMIUM AND DEDUCTIBLE FOR 2023
As predicted a few months back, Medicare has just announced there will be a rare reduction in the Part B premium cost and the Part B deductible effective Jan 1st, 2023. The Part B premium will reduce from current $170.10 to $164.90 and the deductible from current $233/year to $226/year! While both of these factors tend to increase over time, some years they remain flat and are now seeing a reduction. As previously noted, one of the big reasons for the reduction is lower than expected Alzheimer drug costs to Medicare.
In addition, there is expected to be a larger than normal Social Security Cola increase. The combination of these factors will lead to larger than normal net increases in monthly income for most seniors.
Feel free to contact me if you have any questions or need assistance with selecting a Medicare Plan. I don’t charge any fees nor increase your cost.
Based in the Richmond, VA area, David Higgs of Choices In Medicare, LLC specializes in helping seniors transition to Medicare. He can be reached at email: David@ChoicesInMedicare.com or go to website: www.ChoicesInMedicare.com
We do not offer every plan available in your area. Any information we provide is limited to those plans we do offer in your area. Please contact Medicare.gov or 1-800-MEDICARE to get information on all of your options.
New 2022 Medicare Costs at a Glance
Happy New Year! As I do every new year, I wanted to post the key, new Medicare numbers that will be in effect for 2022. These are the key changes to Medicare’s premiums and coverages.
- Part A deductible – Will be $1556 up from $1484 (per 60 day Benefit Stay)
- Part B Deductible – Will be $233 up from $203 (Annual deductible)
- Part B Premium – Will be $170.10 up from $148.50
- Part D Maximum Deductible – Will be $480 up from $445 (Some plans don’t have a deductible and most have a “hybrid” deductible.)
- Part D Premium National Average – Will be $33.37 up from $33.06 (Is used to determine Part D Penalty)
As mentioned last month, the Part B premium increase was more than expected but still less than the Social Security Cola increase.
Feel free to contact me if you have any questions or need assistance with selecting a Medicare Plan. I don’t charge any fees nor increase your cost.
Based in the Richmond, Va area, David Higgs of Choices In Medicare specializes in helping seniors transition to Medicare. He can be reached at email: David@ChoicesInMedicare.com or go to website: www.ChoicesInMedicare.com
2022 Medicare Part B Premium and Deductible Amounts Announced
Medicare finally announced the 2022 Part B costs late Friday afternoon. The key numbers are the monthly Premium and the annual Deductible. The Part B premium that most people pay will go up 14.5% from $148.50 to $170.10. (Higher income people must pay an income surcharge called, Irmaa. These amounts as well as the thresholds increased also.) The Part B deductible increased a similar percentage from $203 to $233.
These increases were more than projected just a couple of months ago. The primary drivers for these increases were medical inflation and potential coverage of a new, hi-cost Alzheimer drug. While these increases seem large, people on Social Security will still see a net increase due to the Hold Harmless provision that insures people’s Cola increase will cover the Medicare Part B premium increase.
As usual, I will post all of the key Medicare cost share amounts next month. If any questions about how these apply to you, contact me.
Feel free to contact me if you have any questions or need assistance with selecting a Medicare Plan. I don’t charge any fees nor increase your cost.
Based in the Richmond, Va area, David Higgs of Choices In Medicare specializes in helping seniors transition to Medicare. He can be reached at email: David@ChoicesInMedicare.com or go to website: www.ChoicesInMedicare.com
Thyroid prescription issues
In my daily efforts to assist people in selecting a Part D Drug Plan (PDP), I have many clients who take prescriptions for thyroid issues. It usually comes down to the brand, Synthroid or the generic, Levothyroxine. As the generic has a substantially lower cost than the brand, it is preferred. In many cases, I have clients who fear the consistent quality of the generic. And because of this, they pay substantially more. This causes them to question if they need to pay more.
I came across the article linked below which describes some good strategies to make the generic an easier path. Take a look and see if it helps you.
https://advertiser-tribune.com/news/333873/bones-sometimes-show-up-in-unlikely-places/
Feel free to contact me if you have any questions or need assistance with selecting a Medicare Plan. I don’t charge any fees nor increase your cost.
Based in the Richmond, Va area, David Higgs of Choices In Medicare specializes in helping seniors transition to Medicare. He can be reached at email: David@ChoicesInMedicare.com or go to website: www.ChoicesInMedicare.com
New 2021 Medicare Costs at a Glance
Happy New Year! As I do every new year, I wanted to post the key, new Medicare numbers that will be in effect for 2021. These are the key changes to Medicare’s premiums and coverages.
- Part A deductible – Will be $1484 up from $1408 (per 60 day Benefit Stay)
- Part B Deductible – Will be $203 up from $198 (Annual deductible)
- Part B Premium – Will be $148.50 up from $144.60
- Part D Maximum Deductible – Will be $445 up from $435 (Some plans don’t have a deductible and most have a “hybrid” deductible.)
- Part D Premium National Average – Will be $33.06 up from $32.74 (Is used to determine Part D Penalty)
Feel free to contact me if you have any questions or need assistance with selecting a Medicare Plan. I don’t charge any fees nor increase your cost.
Based in the Richmond, Va area, David Higgs of Choices In Medicare specializes in helping seniors transition to Medicare. He can be reached at email: David@ChoicesInMedicare.com or go to website: www.ChoicesInMedicare.com
Medicare Part B Announcements and Open Enrollment (AEP) for 2021
Medicare has just announced the Part B costs for 2021. While these costs tend to go up over time, they don’t necessarily go up every year. Beginning January 1st, there will be a slight increase in the Part B Deductible from current $198 to $203. The standard Part B premium costs will go from current $144.60 to $148.50 per month for most people. I say most people because high income earners have to pay a surcharge depending on their tax return two years prior.
We are also in the Medicare Open Enrollment period (AEP) which will end December 7th. This affects people with Part D drug Plans (PDP) and Medicare Advantage Plans (Part C) who may want to make a change. Medicare Supplement Plans are not subject to the AEP.
Any questions regarding these changes or any other Medicare related question can be directed to me at the contact info below.
If you have questions about your Choices in Medicare, please contact me at David@ChoicesInMedicare.com or go to www.ChoicesInMedicare.com