Part B Premium 2020
The Part B premium amount has increased from the previous year.
What Is the Part B Premium for 2020?
The standard monthly Part B premium for 2020 is $144.60. This amount has increased by $9.10 from the standard monthly Part B premium for 2019, which was $135.50.
The standard monthly Part B premium amount applies to all enrollees whose annual income does not exceed $87,000 or $174,000 if married and filing jointly.
Medicare uses the modified adjusted gross income (MAGI) from your 2018 tax return to determine your 2020 Part B premium amount. If your income exceeds this amount, then you will pay a higher monthly Part B premium amount.
Watch our QUICK FACTS video on the Medicare Part B Premium for 2020 here.
Medicare Part B Premium 2020 Increase
The standard Part B monthly premium increased $9.10 from the previous 2019 amount of $135.50.
The standard Part B premium amount applies to those whose income falls below the higher-income threshold ($87,000 individual or $174,000 married).
However, if you are above the higher-income threshold, your monthly Part B premium amount has increased by a larger margin. Those Part B premium increases for 2020 are listed here:
Medicare Part B Premium Increase Based on Income 2020: Individual Tax Return
$87,000 or less = Increased by $9.10
Above $87,000 and up to $109,000 = Increased by $12.80
Above $109,000 and up to $136,000 = Increased by $18.30
Above $136,000 and up to $163,000 = Increased by $23.80
Above $163,000 and less than $500,000 = Increased by $29.30
$500,000 and above = Increased by $31.10
Medicare Part B Premium Increase Based on Income 2020: Joint Tax Return
$174,000 or less = Increased by $9.10
Above $174,000 and up to $218,000 = Increased by $12.80
Above $218,000 and up to $272,000 = Increased by $18.30
Above $272,000 and up to $326,000 = Increased by $23.80
Above $326,000 and less than $750,000 = Increased by $29.30
$750,000 and above = Increased by $31.10
Is the Medicare Part B Premium Based on Income?
Yes, monthly Part B premiums are based on your annual income. Medicare determines the amount of your premium from your modified adjusted gross income. It uses your most recently filed tax return for this information.
So, for 2020, your Part B premium will be based on your 2018 modified adjusted gross income (the tax return filed in 2019).
Also, note that as you reach certain income thresholds, your premium amount increases.
Medicare Part B Premiums Based on Income 2020: Individual Tax Return
$87,000 or less = $144.60
Above $87,000 and up to $109,000 = $202.40
Above $109,000 and up to $136,000 = $289.20
Above $136,000 and up to $163,000 = $376.00
Above $163,000 and less than $500,000 = $462.70
$500,000 and above = $491.60
Medicare Part B Premiums Based on Income 2020: Joint Tax Return
$174,000 or less = $144.60
Above $174,000 and up to $218,000 = $202.40
Above $218,000 and up to $272,000 = $289.20
Above $272,000 and up to $326,000 = $376.00
Above $326,000 and less than $750,000 = $462.70
$750,000 and above = $491.60
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.
Can I Get Help Paying My Medicare Part B Premium?
If you have limited income, you may be eligible for help with paying your Part B premium. There are three Medicare Savings Programs that help enrollees pay for their Part B premium:
Qualified Medicare Beneficiary Program (QMB)
Specified Low-Income Medicare Beneficiary Program (SLMB)
Qualifying Individual Program (QI)
Your state’s Medicaid program determines eligibility for Medicare Savings Programs. You can check the income limits of these programs on the Medicare website here.
If you are interested in applying for one of these Medicare Savings Programs, you can look up your state Medicaid program contact information here. Contact your state’s Medicaid program to confirm your eligibility and enroll in a Medicare Savings Program.
If you experience a life-changing event, such as a marriage, divorce, death of a spouse, job loss, or other qualifying life-changing event recognized by Social Security, you can request a reduction in your Part B premium by filing a notice with Social Security.
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