Medicare Changes for 2017

Every year Medicare deductibles and co-payments are adjusted to reflect inflation.

Changes for 2017 are:

1. The Part A hospital deductible is increasing from $1,288 to $1,316.
2. Hospital co-payments for the 61^st through 90^th days are increasing from $322 to $329.
3. Lifetime reserve days co-payments are increasing from $644 to $658.
4. Skilled nursing facility co-payments for the 21^st through 100^th days are increasing from $161 to $164.
5. The Part B annual deductible is increasing from $166 to $183.
6. The Part D annual deductible is increasing from $360 to $400.
7. The Part D annual out-of-pocket limit is increasing from $4,850 to $4,950.

In 2017, the standard Part B premium amount will be $134, up from $121.80 per month (or higher depending on income). However, most people who get Social Security benefits will pay less than this. This is because there is a hold-harmless provision that limits the dollar increase for Part B premiums to the dollar increase in Social Security benefits. The cost-of-living adjustment to Social Security benefits for 2017 is only 0.3 percent.

The full $134 premium for 2017 premium will apply if a person: 

• Enrolls in Part B for the first time in 2017.
• Doesn’t get Social Security benefits.
• Is directly billed for Part B premiums.
• Has Medicare and Medicaid, and Medicaid pays the premiums (The state will pay the standard premium amount of $134).
• Has modified adjusted gross income from 2 years ago that is above a certain amount:

If yearly income in 2015 was:			2017 Monthly Premium
File individual tax return	File joint tax return	File married & separate tax return
$85,000 or less	$170,000 or less	$85,000 or less	$134
above $85,000 up to $107,000	above $170,000 up to $214,000	Not applicable	$187.50
above $107,000 up to $160,000	above $214,000 up to $320,000	Not applicable	$267.90
above $160,000 up to $214,000	above $320,000 up to $428,000	above $85,000 and up to $129,000	$348.30
above $214,000	above $428,000	above $129,000	$428.60