Part B Deductible 2020
The Part B deductible amount has increased from the previous year.
What Is the Part B Deductible for 2020?
The Part B deductible for 2020 is $198.00. This amount has increased by $13.00 from the Part B deductible for 2019, which was $185.00.
As you consider your Medicare costs for 2020, it is helpful to know the Part B deductible amount. Once you have paid this amount for services covered by Medicare Part B, your Part B coverage will begin paying 80% of the covered services going forward for the year.
In other words, once you pay $198.00 in out-of-pocket expenses for Part B services, you will then be charged a 20% coinsurance (while Medicare covers the rest).
Watch our QUICK FACTS video on the Medicare Part B Deductible for 2020 here.
Medicare Part B Deductible 2020 Increase
The Medicare Part B deductible has increased $13.00 from the previous year, moving from $185.00 in 2019 to its current amount of $198.00.
The rise in deductible amount can largely be attributed to increased spending on physician-administered drugs. The rising costs of these drugs can lead to higher Part B deductible and premium amounts for enrollees.
This Part B deductible of $198.00 is the amount you are responsible for covering before your Medicare Part B coverage kicks in and begins covering Part B related costs.
Your Medicare Part B coverage, also known as your medical coverage, covers your doctor visits, outpatient care, and certain drugs such as cancer drugs.
Important Change to Part B Deductible Coverage 2020
Starting in 2020, Medicare enrollees will no longer be able to purchase Medigap plans that pay the cost of their Part B deductible.
This is the result of Congress passing the Medicare Access and Chip Reauthorization Act (MACRA).
Previously, Medicare enrollees were able to purchase Medigap plans to help pay for the out-of-pocket Part B deductible cost of Original Medicare.
The two Medigap plans that included coverage of the Part B deductible, Plan C and Plan F, will no longer be available for those newly eligible to Medicare after January 1, 2020.
Note, however, that if you purchased either of these Medigap plans prior to January 1, 2020, your coverage will be unaffected and continue as normal.
Similarly, if you became eligible for Medicare prior to this date, you still have the option to purchase either Medigap Plan C or Plan F even if you have not yet done so.
What Does Medicare Part B Cover?
When you sign up for Medicare Part B, you receive coverage for both medically necessary services and preventive services.
This includes some of the more expensive services you might experience during a hospital stay, such as surgery, radiation, diagnostic imaging, chemotherapy, and dialysis, among others.
Part B covers preventive medical services like ambulance rides, doctor visits, screenings, and diagnostic tests. It also covers a number of preventive care measures such as flu shots, colonoscopies, and mammograms.
Medically Necessary Services:
Medically necessary services and supplies are those used for diagnosis and treatment of medical conditions.
These services and supplies must meet the accepted standards of medical practice. This includes the use of medical equipment like wheelchairs, hospital beds, and oxygen equipment.
Preventive Services:
Preventive services are those that prevent illness or detect it early enough for optimal treatment.
This includes diagnostic tests like MRIs, EKGs, CT scans, and X-rays. It also applies to covered screenings such as pap tests, HIV screening, glaucoma tests, hearing tests, diabetes screening, and colorectal cancer screenings.
If your healthcare provider accepts assignment, you often don’t have to pay anything for these preventive services.
How to Tell If Part B Covers What You Need:
1. Consult with your doctor or health care provider to find out if Medicare covers your needed services or supplies.
In some cases, you may require something that is typically covered by Medicare but your provider isn’t sure if coverage will extend in your specific situation. If this happens, you can sign a notice that says you may be required to pay for the test, item, or service.
2. You can also always search your Medicare coverage by test, item, or service at this Medicare.gov page: https://www.medicare.gov/coverage
Remember: Your Medicare coverage will be based on federal and state laws, national coverage decisions by Medicare, and local coverage decisions made by Medicare claims processors in each state.
Up Next: Guide to Medicare Part B 2020
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