Print masthead

Medicare 2008

Medicare costs for 2008

Your 2008 Monthly Premiums for Medicare


Part A (Hospital Insurance) Monthly Premium
Most people don't pay a Part A premium because they paid Medicare taxes while working.

You pay up to $423 each month if you don't get premium-free Part A.*

Part B (Medical Insurance) Monthly Premium

 If Your Yearly Income Is:     You Pay:
 File Individual Tax Return  File Joint Tax Return   
 $82,000 or below  $164,000 or below  $96.40*
 $82,001 - $102,000  $164,001 - $204,000  $122.20*
 $102,001 - $153,000  $204,001 - $306,000  $160.90* 
 $153,001 - $205,000  $306,001 - $410,000  $199.70*
 Above $205,000  Above $410,000  $238.40*

Part C (Medicare Advantage Plan) Monthly Premium
For actual plan premiums, see www.medicare.gov or your plan.  You also pay the Part B premium* (and Part A if you don't get it premium-free).  An extra premium may be charged for extra benefits.

Part D (Medicare Prescription Drug Plan) Monthly Premium
For actual plan premiums, see www.medicare.gov or your plan.  You also pay the Part B premium* (and Part A if you don't get it premium-free), or an amount for your Part D coverage is added to your Part C premium.

* If you pay a late-enrollment penalty, this amount is higher.

What You Pay for the Original Medicare Plan in 2008


Part A Costs for Covered Services and Items

 Blood You pay all costs for the first three pints of blood you get as an inpatient, then 20 percent of the Medicare-approved amount for additional pints of blood (unless you or someone else donates to replace what's used).
 Home
 Health
 Care

You pay:

  • $0 for home health care services
  • 20 percent of the Medicare-approved amount for durable medical equipment
 Hospice
 Care		 You pay a copayment of up to $5 per prescription for outpatient prescription drugs and 5 percent of the Medicare-approved amount for inpatient respite care (short-term care given by another caregiver, so the usual caregiver can rest).  You may have to pay room and board if you get hospice care in a facility other than for short-term general inpatient care or respite care.
 Hospital
 Stay

You pay:

  • $1,024 deductible and no coinsurance for days 1 - 60 each benefit period
  • $256 per day for days 61 - 90 each benefit period
  • $512 per "lifetime reserve day" after day 90 each benefit period (up to 60 days over your lifetime)

 Skilled
 Nursing
 Facility
 Stay

 You pay:

  • $0 for the first 20 days each benefit period
  • $128 per day for days 21 - 100 each benefit period
  • All costs for each day after day 100 in the benefit period

Note:  All Medicare Advantage Plans must cover these services.  Costs vary by plan but may be either higher or lower than those noted above.  Check with your plan.

Part B Costs for Covered Services and Items

 Blood You pay all costs for the first three pints of blood you get as an outpatient, then 20 percent of the Medicare-approved amount for additional pints of blood (unless donated to replace what's used).
 Clinical
 Laboratory
 Services		 You pay $0 for Medicare-approved services.
 Home
 Health
 Services		 You pay $0 for Medicare-approved services.  You pay 20 percent of the Medicare-approved amount for durable medical equipment.
 Medical
 and
 Other
 Services		 You pay 20 percent of the Medicare-approved amount for most doctor services, outpatient therapy*, most preventive services, and durable medical equipment.
 Mental
 Health
 Services		 You pay 50 percent for most outpatient mental health care.
 Other
 Covered
 Services		 You pay copayment or coinsurance amounts.
 Outpatient
 Hospital
 Services		 You pay a coinsurance or copayment amount that varies by service.
 Part B
 Deductible		 You pay the first $135 yearly for Part B-covered services or items.

* In 2008, there may be limits on physical therapy, occupational therapy, and speech-language pathology services.  If so, there may be exceptions to these limits.

Note:  All Medicare Advantage Plans must cover these services.  Costs vary by plan but may be either higher or lower than those noted above.
 
Part C (Medicare Advantage Plan) Costs for Covered Services and Supplies
Cost information for the Medicare Advantage Plans in your area is available on www.medicare.gov or from the plan.  Medicare Advantage Plans must cover all Part A and Part B-covered services and supplies.  Check your plan's materials for actual amounts.

Part D (Medicare Prescription Drug Plan) Costs for Covered Prescription Drugs
Cost information for the Medicare Prescription Drug Plans in your area is available on www.medicare.gov or from the plan.  Check your plan's materials for actual amounts.

The figures below are used to determine the Part D late-enrollment penalty.
 Part D National Base Beneficiary Premium  $27.93
 1 Percent Penalty Calculation  $0.28