The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) has released premium information for Medicare Parts A and B in 2019.
The standard Part B premium is rising to $135.50, a $1.50 increase from the 2018 premium of $134. Some 2 million Medicare beneficiaries will pay less than the standard Part B premium due to a hold harmless provision where Medicare premiums cannot rise more than any yearly increase in social security benefits.
The annual deductible for Part B is rising to $185, a $2 increase from the 2018 deductible of $183. Premiums and deductibles for Medicare Advantage plans (MA/MAPD) and prescription drug plans (PDP) have already been released and are unaffected by this new information.
Medicare Part A does not have a premium for most individuals, but the hospitalization deductible has increased. For 2019, the deductible is $1,364, an increase of $24 from the 2018 deductible of $1,340.