The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) announced on October 16 the 2010 Medicare Part A and Part B premium, deductible, and coinsurance amounts to be paid by Medicare beneficiaries. The standard monthly Medicare Part B premium will increase to $110.50 in 2010; however, a "hold harmless" provision in the current law will protect 73% of beneficiaries from the increase. These beneficiaries will pay the same monthly premium they paid in 2009, $96.40. The Obama administration continues to urge Congressional action that would protect all beneficiaries from higher Part B premiums and eliminate the inequity of a high premium for the remaining 27% of beneficiaries. The Part B deductible will increase to $155 in 2010, up from $135 in 2009. Higher-income beneficiaries (those with incomes over $85,000 single/$170,000 married) will pay higher premiums.

The Medicare Part A deductible for 2010 will increase to $1,100, up from $1,068 in 2009. The Part A deductible is paid by the beneficiary per "spell of illness" for covered inpatient hospital services. After the first 60 days of hospitalization, the 2010 coinsurance will be $275 per day for days 61 through 90 ($267 in 2009), and $550 per day ($534 in 2009) for the 91st and later days. The daily coinsurance for the 21st through 100th day in a skilled nursing facility will be $137.50 in 2010, up from $133.50 in 2009.

A Medicare Fact Sheet with the 2010 Medicare premiums and deductibles is available here.

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