How Medicare Costs Are Changing for 2023

October 30, 2022 — Sam H. Fawaz

Medicare’s Open Enrollment Period — which runs from October 15 through December 7 — is your annual opportunity to switch your current Medicare health and prescription drug plans to ones that better suit your needs. Just in time for Open Enrollment, 2023 Medicare premiums, deductibles, and other costs have been announced, and surprisingly, some of these costs are lower than they were last year.

What to consider

Start by reviewing any materials your plan has sent you. Look at the coverage offered, the costs, and the network of providers, which may be different than last year. Maybe your health has changed, or you anticipate needing medical care, or new or pricier prescription drugs. If your current plan doesn’t meet your healthcare needs or fit your budget, you can make changes. But if you’re satisfied with what you currently have, you don’t need to do anything. The coverage you have will continue.

During Open Enrollment, you can:

  • Switch from Original Medicare to a Medicare Advantage Plan
  • Switch from a Medicare Advantage Plan to Original Medicare
  • Change from one Medicare Advantage Plan to a different Medicare Advantage Plan
  • Change from a Medicare Advantage Plan that offers prescription drug coverage to a Medicare Advantage Plan that doesn’t offer prescription drug coverage
  • Switch from a Medicare Advantage Plan that doesn’t offer prescription drug coverage to a Medicare Advantage Plan that does offer prescription drug coverage
  • Join a Medicare prescription drug plan (Part D)
  • Switch from one Part D plan to another Part D plan
  • Drop your Part D coverage altogether

Any changes made during Open Enrollment are effective as of January 1, 2023.

Medicare Part B (Medical Insurance) costs for 2023

Most people with Medicare who receive Social Security benefits will pay the standard monthly Part B premium of $164.90 in 2023. This premium is $5.20 lower than it was in 2022 due to lower-than-projected spending for a new drug, Aduhelm, and other Part B items and services.1

People with higher incomes may pay more than the standard premium. If your modified adjusted gross income (MAGI) as reported on your federal income tax return from two years ago (2021) is above a certain amount, you’ll pay the standard premium amount and an Income-Related Monthly Adjustment Amount (IRMAA), which is an extra charge added to your premium, as shown in the following table.

You filed an individual income tax return with MAGI that was:You filed a joint income tax return with MAGI that was:You filed an income tax return as married filing separately with MAGI that was:Total monthly premium in 2023 is:*Total monthly premium in 2023 immunosuppressive drug coverage only is:
$97,000 or less$194,000 or less$97,000 or less$164.90$97.10
Above $97,000 up to $123,000Above $194,000 up to $246,000N/A$230.80$161.80
Above $123,000 up to $153,000Above $246,000 up to $306,000N/A$329.70$258.90
Above $153,000 up to $183,000Above $306,000 up to $366,000N/A$428.60$356.00
Above $183,000 and less than $500,000Above $366,000 and less than $750,000Above $97,000 and less than $403,000$527.50$453.10
$500,000 and above$750,000 and above$403,000 and above$560.50$485.50

People with higher incomes may also pay a higher premium for a Medicare Part D prescription drug plan, because an IRMAA will be added to the Part D basic premium based on the same income limits in the table above. Part D premiums vary, but the average basic monthly premium for 2023 is projected to be $31.50 (down from $32.08 in 2022).

People with Medicare Part B must also satisfy an annual deductible before Original Medicare starts to pay. For 2023, this deductible is $226 (down from $233 in 2022).

*This premium applies to a new benefit that extends coverage for immunosuppressive drugs for people who qualify for Medicare coverage due to end-stage renal disease. Prior to 2023, Medicare coverage, including immunosuppressive drug coverage, ended 36 months after a successful kidney transplant. Beginning January 1, 2023, Medicare will offer a new benefit that will help continue to pay for immunosuppressive drugs beyond 36 months for people who don’t have other health coverage. It does not cover other items or services. Rates shown apply to people who file individual or joint tax returns. Premiums for beneficiaries filing as married filing separately are different.

Medicare Part A (Hospital Insurance) costs for 2023

  • Part A deductible for inpatient hospitalization: $1,600 per benefit period (up from $1,556 in 2022)
  • Part A premium for those who need to buy coverage: up to $506 per month (up from $499 in 2022) — most people don’t pay a premium for Medicare Part A
  • Part A coinsurance: $400 per day for days 61 through 90, and $800 per “lifetime reserve day” after day 90, up to a 60-day lifetime maximum (up from $389 and $778 in 2022)
  • Part A skilled nursing facility coinsurance: $200 for days 21 through 100 for each benefit period (up from $194.50 in 2022)

If you have any questions about Medicare, would like to review your current investment portfolio or discuss any other financial planning matters, please don’t hesitate to contact us or visit our website at http://www.ydfs.com. We are a fee-only fiduciary financial planning firm that always puts your interests first.  If you are not a client yet, an initial consultation is complimentary and there is never any pressure or hidden sales pitch. We start with a specific assessment of your personal situation. There is no rush and no cookie-cutter approach. Each client is different, and so is your financial plan and investment objectives.

1) The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, 2022

You can view more information on Medicare benefits in the Medicare & You 2023 Handbook and access a Medicare plan finder tool that allows you to compare health and drug coverage options at medicare.gov.

You can also call your State Health Insurance Assistance Program (SHIP) for free, personalized counseling. Visit shiptacenter.org or call the toll-free Medicare number 800-MEDICARE (800-633-4227) to find the phone number for your state.

Medicare Part C (Medicare Advantage) costs vary by plan, but the projected average premium for 2023 plans is $18 (down from $19.52 in 2022). You will also have to pay the Medicare Part B premium.

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How Much Health Insurance Do I Need?

January 25, 2015 — Sam H. Fawaz

How Much Health Insurance Do I Need?

The answer is simple: enough to ensure that if you (or a covered family member) get sick or injured, you’re not footing the entire medical bill on your own.

If you receive health insurance through your employer, your choices are limited. Some employers will offer plans from multiple health insurance providers, but most limit their offerings to one provider. Additionally, most employers offer one or more of the following: an HMO, a PPO or a traditional plan.

• An HMO (or health maintenance organization) is usually the lowest-cost alternative. As a result, enrollees are limited to doctors and treatment facilities within a limited “network.” These plans usually have no deductibles. Enrollees are required to make copayments when seeing a physician.
• A PPO (or preferred provider organization) allows enrollees greater flexibility. Enrollees can see doctors in or out of the PPO’s established network of providers. Deductibles usually apply and co-payments are required. A visit to an out-of-network doctor will trigger an additional charge.
• A traditional indemnity plan is usually the most expensive, as it typically gives enrollees the greatest number of choices in choosing doctors and facilities. But the deductibles can be high and the insurance company may cap the amount of money it will spend on the enrollee’s behalf over his/her lifetime.

Choices for the Self-Employed

If you are self-employed, you can comparison shop among the insurance providers licensed to do business in your state. It is a good idea to get as many estimates as you can because coverage and premiums vary significantly. Be sure you are comparing apples to apples: You want cost breakdowns for coverage with similar deductibles, copayments, prescription benefits, and physician access.

Beyond Standard Insurance

As you can see, even the best plan probably won’t provide 100% coverage for you or your family. If your employer allows, you can also fund a flexible spending account (FSA) or health savings account (HSA). An FSA, which is an employee benefit typically funded through payroll deduction, allows you to set aside pre-tax dollars to use toward copayments, out-of-network coverage, or other medical expenses. The drawbacks of an FSA: The maximum you can contribute is low and any funds not used during a calendar year are forfeited. An HSA, available to those enrolled in a high-deductible plan, has a higher annual contribution limit and no “use-it-or-lose-it” rules.

If you feel you need more coverage and can afford it, you can also buy supplemental health insurance. The three most common types are disease specific, accidental death or dismemberment, and hospital indemnity. Again, be sure to comparison shop before purchasing.

If you would like to discuss your health insurance or any financial planning matters, please don’t hesitate to contact us or visit our website at http://www.ydfs.com. We are a fee-only fiduciary financial planning firm that always puts your interests first.  If you are not a client yet, an initial consultation is complimentary and there is never any pressure or hidden sales pitch.

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I’m Self-Employed. How Can I Get Health Insurance?

November 18, 2014 — Sam H. Fawaz

Self-employment is an important career choice for many people, and it is an option elected by many seniors and baby boomers. But with this choice comes the need to provide your own health insurance, which can be a formidable expense. And, thanks to the Affordable Care Act, a necessary one starting in 2014. If you are self employed and are seeking health care coverage, here are your major options.

Piggyback on a Partner’s Plan

If you have a spouse or partner who is or can be enrolled in an employer-sponsored plan, joining this plan is usually the simplest and least expensive way to maintain coverage. Nearly all employer-based plans offer coverage to spouses and children, and many provide coverage to domestic partners as well.

Continue Coverage Through COBRA

If you formerly were employed by an organization that employed 20 or more people and made a group health plan available to employees, you may be able to obtain medical coverage through the federal Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act, known as COBRA. COBRA requires employers to make available to departing employees the option of continuing membership in an employer-sponsored group medical plan at the employee’s expense. You can continue your health insurance under COBRA for yourself and your dependents for 18 months, during which time you can search for the best option as a self-employed person.

Enroll in a High-Deductible Plan & HSA

High-deductible plans (HDPs), as their name suggests, involve a high deductible or threshold below which you must pay all costs.  For 2014, minimum deductibles are $1,250 for an individual and $2,500 for a family. In essence, a high-deductible policy provides coverage for catastrophic situations but does not generally provide for regular doctor visits and routine care. Such plans can involve complex cost-sharing arrangements in which certain procedures or visits are covered only in part. When considering this option, factor in not only monthly premiums but also the costs of partial out-of-pocket payment for different procedures.

Combining an HDP with a tax-free health savings account (HSA) can also save you in taxes. You deposit pre-tax dollars into your HSA, and use that money to pay medical expenses that aren’t reimbursed by your health insurance.

Enroll in a Group Plan Through a Professional Association

You may be able to save money by enrolling in a group plan sponsored by a professional organization. Check with any affiliations you may have (for example, the American Medical Association or a state bar association for attorneys) to see if they offer group rates for members. As with any plan, you’ll need to look at not only costs but also deductibles, co-pays, and how well the coverage meets your needs.

Enroll on Your Own Through a Health Insurance Marketplace

Many states now have health insurance marketplaces. The federal marketplace has an up-to-date list and provides insurance referrals to consumers whose states do not have their own websites.

Enroll in an HMO or PPO Plan

For many self-employed individuals, their best option will be to enroll directly in a health maintenance organization (HMO) or preferred provider organization (PPO). In general, HMOs tend to be more expensive than PPOs, but plan costs vary considerably with coverage options, so shop around. Also keep in mind that individual enrollment in a plan is likely to be expensive, often $500 or more per month for individual coverage, and that costs are generally not tax deductible.

When shopping for the right plan, make sure to do your homework. Compare premiums, coverage, deductibles, and copays. Also keep in mind that after you turn 65, you may be eligible for Medicare benefits, even if you remain self employed.

For More Information

Check out the Web resources listed below:

If you’d like to know more about health insurance when self-employed, or if you want to discuss other financial planning matters, please don’t hesitate to contact us or visit our website at http://www.ydfs.com. We are a fee-only fiduciary financial planning firm that always puts your interests first.

Posted in Financial Planning, Health Care Insurance, Healthcare Planning, retirement planning, small business. Tags: , , , . Leave a Comment »
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