11/18/2010
2011 Medicare deductible and coinsurance increases announced
Each year the federal government reviews the Medicare program and revises the deductibles for Parts A and B, and the inpatient and skilled nursing facility coinsurance amounts. The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) announced these changes on Nov. 4:
| Deductible/Coinsurance |
2010 |
2011 |
Increase |
% Chg |
| Medicare Part A deductible |
$1,100 |
$1,132 |
$32 |
2.9% |
Inpatient Coinsurance (per day)
Days 61-90 |
$275 |
$283 |
$8 |
2.9% |
Inpatent Coinsurance (per day)
Days 91-150 |
$550 |
$566 |
$16 |
2.9% |
Skilled Nursing Facility (per day)
Days 21-100 |
$137.50 |
$141.50 |
$4 |
2.9% |
| Medicare Part B deductible |
$155 |
$162 |
$7 |
4.5% |
The 2011 increase for the Part A deductible and the coinsurance for hospital and SNF is 2.9%, compared to 4.3% for 2010. The Part B deductible increased 4.5% for 2011, but it's important to note that it did not increase in 2010. These modest increases will be reflected in the 2011 premiums. There are no changes in benefit design for Medigap plans.
We'll send letters to our Medigap members starting Nov. 19 to inform them of these benefit changes. There is no rate increase at this time associated with these benefit changes. The annual rate renewal is scheduled for March 1 as usual. We've prepared our Customer Service staff to expect an increased call volume. Based on experience from past years, we know that hold times may be longer than normal as members receive this information.
Letters vary slightly depending on differences among plans. To learn more, please see our sample letter. (Note that each letter will include the Customer Service phone number appropriate for the member's plan.)
If you have any questions, please call Individual and Medicare Sales Producer Support at
1 (800) 557-0555.
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