Medicare Information

Medicare 2009

Medicare has updated the website in preparation for open enrollment 11/15/08 thru 12/31/08

Click HERE to be direct to the site to research options for 2009.

The following is a listing of the Medicare premium, deductible, and coinsurance rates that will be in effect in 2009:

Medicare Premiums for 2009:

Part A: (Hospital Insurance) Premium

Most people do not pay a monthly Part A premium because they or a spouse has 40 or more quarters of Medicare-covered employment.
The Part A premium is $244.00 per month for people having 30-39 quarters of Medicare-covered employment.
The Part A premium is $443.00 per month for people who are not otherwise eligible for premium-free hospital insurance and have less than 30 quarters of Medicare-covered employment.

Part B: (Medical Insurance) Premium

$96.40 per month*

Medicare Deductible and Coinsurance Amounts for 2009:

Part A: (pays for inpatient hospital, skilled nursing facility, and some home health care) For each benefit period Medicare pays all covered costs except the Medicare Part A deductible (2009 = $1,068) during the first 60 days and coinsurance amounts for hospital stays that last beyond 60 days and no more than 150 days.

For each benefit period you pay:

A total of $1,068 for a hospital stay of 1-60 days.
$267 per day for days 61-90 of a hospital stay.
$534 per day for days 91-150 of a hospital stay (Lifetime Reserve Days).
All costs for each day beyond 150 days

Skilled Nursing Facility Coinsurance

$133.50 per day for days 21 through 100 each benefit period.

Part B: (covers Medicare eligible physician services, outpatient hospital services, certain home health services, durable medical equipment)

$135.00 per year. (Note: You pay 20% of the Medicare-approved amount for services after you meet the $135.00 deductible.)

Medicare 2008 premiums, deductibles and copays

Part A
Hospital deductible ........................... $1,024
Hospital copay ................................. $256/day
(inpatient days 61-90)
Lifetime reserve copay ..................... $512/day
(inpatient days 91-150)
Skilled nursing copay ....................... $128/day

Part B
Monthly premium .............................. $96.40*
Annual deductible ............................. $135
Coinsurance amount ........................ 20 percent
* Premium may be higher based on income

Medicare is health insurance for people age 65 or older or under 65 with certain disabilities. Your costs vary depending on your plan, the coverage, and the services you use.

Medicare Part A pays for hospital and nursing home care you have to pay a part of the bill before Medicare pays the rest.

Medicre Part B pays for doctors' bills, outpatient care, and other services, such as ambulance, tests, screenings, emergency room, and flu shots. Part B is optional. You will have to pay a monthly fee, as well as part of any bill before Mdicare pays the rest.

Medicare Part D pays for medicines. You need to select aprivate plan approved by Medicare. You may have to pay a monthly fee and part of the bill before the private plan pays the rest.

You can b on Medicare and Medicaid at the same time. If you are on Medicare and qualify for Medicaid, Medicaid will pay the parts of the bills that Medicare does not pay, as well as the monthly fee.

How to read my Medicare EOB - http://www.medicare.gov/Basics/SummaryNotice_HowToReadB.asp

View an example of the new, simplified MSN Part B http://www.medicare.gov/publications/pubs/pdf/SummaryNoticeB.pdf

Medicare Physician finder - http://www.medicare.gov/Physician/Search/chooseprovider.asp
Questions regarding Medicare coverage?

Go to this website to get answers - click HERE

Cincinnati Benefits and Resources cincybenefitsinfo.com

P.O. Box 6584 Cincinnati, Ohio 45206-6584 - "Fulfilling the Need, One Benefit at a Time"