Some say it’s the hottest demographic in the labor market — men and women ditching traditional retirement age to work into their 70s, 80s and sometimes beyond. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics the 65 and over crowd will make up the fastest-growing segment of the workforce over the next decade. With that in mind, over the next few months we’ll be providing key bits of information that employers and employees may find helpful as they navigate the best and most cost effective options for health coverage for the 65Plus workforce and their dependents.
First off, 2019 cost considerations for “traditional Medicare”:
2019 Medicare Costs + Coverage
PART A PREMIUM (Hospital Insurance)
Most people don’t pay a monthly premium for Part A (paid Medicare taxes for more than 39 quarters. If 39 or fewer quarters worked they’ll pay a premium of up to $437).
PART A DEDUCTIBLE + COINSURANCE
– $1,364 deductible for each benefit period
– Days 1-60: $0 coinsurance for each benefit period
– Days 61-90: $341 coinsurance per day for each benefit period
– Days 91 and beyond: $682 coinsurance per each “lifetime reserve day” after day 90 for each benefit period (up to 60 days over your lifetime)
– Beyond lifetime reserve days: all costs
PART B PREMIUM (Medical Insurance)
The standard Part B amount is $135.50 (or higher depending on your income).
PART B DEDUCTIBLE + COINSURANCE
– $185 deductible per year
– After deductible is met, enrollees typically pay 20% of the Medicare-approved amount for most doctor services, outpatient therapy, and durable medical equipment (DME).
2019 PART B + PART D (Prescription drug coverage) INCOME-RELATED MONTHLY ADJUSTMENT AMOUNT (*IRMAA PREMIUMS)
An additional amount that some individuals whose modified adjusted gross income (MAGI) is above certain thresholds will pay for their monthly Part B and Part D premiums.
- 2019 Medicare Part B (Medical Insurance) Income Related Adjustments
FILE INDIVIDUAL TAX RETURN | FILE JOINT TAX RETURN | FILE MARRIED + SEPARATE TAX RETURN | MONTHLY PREMIUM IN 2019 |
$85,000 or less | $170,000 or less | $85,000 or less | $135.50 |
above $85,000 up to $107,000 | above $170,000 up to $214,000 | Not applicable | $189.60 |
above $107,000 up to $133,500 | above $214,000 up to $267,000 | Not applicable | $270.90 |
above $133,500 up to $160,000 | above $267,000 up to $320,000 | Not applicable | $352.20 |
above $160,000 and less than $500,000 | above $320,00 and less than $750,000 | above $85,000 and less than $415,000 | $433.40 |
$500,000 or above | $750,000 and above | $415,000 and above | $460.50 |
- 2019 Medicare Part D (Prescription drug coverage) Income Related Adjustments
FILE INDIVIDUAL TAX RETURN | FILE JOINT TAX RETURN | FILE MARRIED + SEPARATE TAX RETURN | MONTHLY PREMIUM IN 2019 |
$85,000 or less | $170,000 or less | $85,000 or less | your plan premium |
above $85,000 up to $107,000 | above $170,000 up to $214,000 | Not applicable | $12.40 + your plan premium |
above $107,000 up to $133,500 | above $214,000 up to $267,000 | Not applicable | $31.90 + your plan premium |
above $133,500 up to $160,000 | above $267,000 up to $320,000 | Not applicable | $61.40 + your plan premium |
above $160,000 and less than $500,000 | above $320,00 and less than $750,000 | above $85,000 and less than $415,000 | $70.90 + your plan premium |
$500,000 or above | $750,000 and above | $415,000 and above | $77.40 + your plan premium |
Next Up: The eligible employee’s three main options when it comes to their employer-sponsored plan and/or Medicare coverage.