Insurance premiums up in 2002
The Medicare hospital insurance deductible and medical insurance premium has increased for 2002.
The hospital insurance deductible has increased by $20, to $812. The medical insurance premium is $54 per month, an increase of $4. Under federal law, Medicare rates must be recalculated each year to reflect changes in health care costs.
Hospital insurance, also called Part A, covers hospital, skilled nursing, hospice and home health care. The hospital insurance deductible is a beneficiary’s only cost for up to 60 days of Medicare-covered inpatient hospital care. The daily cost to beneficiaries for hospital days 61 through 90 has risen by $5, to $203 per day. For hospital days beyond the 90th day, the cost has risen from $396 to $406. Individuals who require care in a skilled nursing facility must pay $101.50 per day for days 21 through 100.
Medicare medical insurance, also called Part B, pays for doctors’ services, outpatient care and other medical services. Most people who have Medicare also have this voluntary coverage.
States have programs that pay some or all of the Medicare premiums and deductibles for some people with low income. For information about programs in your state, contact your local Social Services department.
For more information, visit the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services web site at www.cms.gov or call 1-800-633-4227 or TTY/TDD 1-877-486-2048.