What You Will Pay for Medicare in 2021
I know there will be a small cost-of-living increase in Social Security benefits next year but what about Medicare? What will the Medicare Part B monthly premiums be in 2021, and when do the surcharges kick in for higher income beneficiaries?
The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services recently announced their cost adjustments for 2021 and the increases for premiums and out-of-pocket costs for most beneficiaries will be modest. But if you are a high earner, you will pay more. Here is what you can expect starting in January.
While Medicare Part A, which pays for hospital care, is premium-free for most beneficiaries, Part B, which covers doctor visits and outpatient services does have a monthly premium. Starting in 2021, the standard monthly Part B premium will be $148.50, up from $144.60 in 2020. That $3.90 bump represents a 2.7% increase, which is more than double the most recent Social Security cost-of-living adjustment of 1.3%.
But if you are a high earning beneficiary, which makes up about 7% of all Medicare recipients, you will have to pay more. Medicare surcharges for high earners are based on adjusted gross income from two years earlier, which means that 2021 Part B premiums are determined by 2019 annual income.
So, if your 2019 income was above $88,000 up to $111,000 ($176,000 up to $222,000 for married couples filing jointly), your 2021 Part B monthly premium will be $207.90, up from $202.40 in 2020.
Monthly premiums for singles with an income between $111,000 and $138,000 ($222,000 and $276,000 for joint filers) will rise from $289.20 to $297. Individuals earning above $138,000 up to $165,000 ($276,000 to $330,000 for joint filers) will see their monthly premium increase from $376 to $386.10.
Those with incomes above $165,000 up to $500,000 ($320,000 to $750,000 for joint filers), will pay $475.20 per month in 2021. Single filers with income of $500,000 or more ($750,000 or more for joint filers) will pay $504.90 per month next year.
For Medicare (Part D) prescription drug plans, the average premium in 2021 will be about $30 per month for most beneficiaries. But, again for a high earner with annual incomes above $88,000 ($176,000 for joint filers), there is a monthly surcharge between $12.30 and $77.10 on top of the regular Part D premiums.
Beneficiaries that fall into any of the high-income categories and have experienced certain life-changing events that have reduced their income since 2019, such as retirement, divorce or the death of a spouse, can contest the surcharge. For more information on how to do this, see "Medicare Premiums: Rules for Higher-Income Beneficiaries" at SSA.gov/benefits/medicare/medicare-premiums.html.
In addition to the Part B and Part D premium increases, there are other cost increases. For example, the annual deductible for Medicare Part B will see a bump from $198 to $203 in 2021. The deductible for Medicare Part A, which covers hospital services, will increase from $1,408 in 2020 to $1,484 in 2021. There are no surcharges on Medicare deductibles for high earners.
For more information on all the Medicare costs for 2021 visit Medicare.gov and click on "2021 Medicare Costs," or call 800-633-4227.
Savvy Living is written by Jim Miller, a regular contributor to the NBC Today Show and author of "The Savvy Living" book. Any links in this article are offered as a service and there is no endorsement of any product. These articles are offered as a helpful and informative service to our friends and may not always reflect this organization's official position on some topics. Jim invites you to send your senior questions to: Savvy Living, P.O. Box 5443, Norman, OK 73070.
The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services recently announced their cost adjustments for 2021 and the increases for premiums and out-of-pocket costs for most beneficiaries will be modest. But if you are a high earner, you will pay more. Here is what you can expect starting in January.
Medicare Part B
While Medicare Part A, which pays for hospital care, is premium-free for most beneficiaries, Part B, which covers doctor visits and outpatient services does have a monthly premium. Starting in 2021, the standard monthly Part B premium will be $148.50, up from $144.60 in 2020. That $3.90 bump represents a 2.7% increase, which is more than double the most recent Social Security cost-of-living adjustment of 1.3%.
But if you are a high earning beneficiary, which makes up about 7% of all Medicare recipients, you will have to pay more. Medicare surcharges for high earners are based on adjusted gross income from two years earlier, which means that 2021 Part B premiums are determined by 2019 annual income.
So, if your 2019 income was above $88,000 up to $111,000 ($176,000 up to $222,000 for married couples filing jointly), your 2021 Part B monthly premium will be $207.90, up from $202.40 in 2020.
Monthly premiums for singles with an income between $111,000 and $138,000 ($222,000 and $276,000 for joint filers) will rise from $289.20 to $297. Individuals earning above $138,000 up to $165,000 ($276,000 to $330,000 for joint filers) will see their monthly premium increase from $376 to $386.10.
Those with incomes above $165,000 up to $500,000 ($320,000 to $750,000 for joint filers), will pay $475.20 per month in 2021. Single filers with income of $500,000 or more ($750,000 or more for joint filers) will pay $504.90 per month next year.
Medicare Part D
For Medicare (Part D) prescription drug plans, the average premium in 2021 will be about $30 per month for most beneficiaries. But, again for a high earner with annual incomes above $88,000 ($176,000 for joint filers), there is a monthly surcharge between $12.30 and $77.10 on top of the regular Part D premiums.
How to Contest Income
Beneficiaries that fall into any of the high-income categories and have experienced certain life-changing events that have reduced their income since 2019, such as retirement, divorce or the death of a spouse, can contest the surcharge. For more information on how to do this, see "Medicare Premiums: Rules for Higher-Income Beneficiaries" at SSA.gov/benefits/medicare/medicare-premiums.html.
Other Medicare Increases
In addition to the Part B and Part D premium increases, there are other cost increases. For example, the annual deductible for Medicare Part B will see a bump from $198 to $203 in 2021. The deductible for Medicare Part A, which covers hospital services, will increase from $1,408 in 2020 to $1,484 in 2021. There are no surcharges on Medicare deductibles for high earners.
For more information on all the Medicare costs for 2021 visit Medicare.gov and click on "2021 Medicare Costs," or call 800-633-4227.
Savvy Living is written by Jim Miller, a regular contributor to the NBC Today Show and author of "The Savvy Living" book. Any links in this article are offered as a service and there is no endorsement of any product. These articles are offered as a helpful and informative service to our friends and may not always reflect this organization's official position on some topics. Jim invites you to send your senior questions to: Savvy Living, P.O. Box 5443, Norman, OK 73070.
Published December 18, 2020
