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New year brings new rates for Medicare
The new year brings with it new rates for
deductibles and other costs for Medicare. Here’s a rundown on what the rates
will be for 2003.
Medicare Part A helps to cover–
• Hospital stays
• Skilled nursing facility care
• Home health care
• Hospice care
• Blood
Part A deductibles and coinsurance – for each
benefit period, the beneficiary is responsible for:
Part A hospital deductible (Day 1-60) $840
Part A hospital deductible (Day 61-90): $210
per day
Part A hospital deductible (Day 91-150): $420
per day
151st day + in same benefit period: all costs
Part A skilled nursing facility
Day 1-20: Medicare covers if stay qualifies for
coverage
Day 21-100: Beneficiary responsible for $105
per day
101 day + in same benefit period: all costs
Part A home health care
• 20% of the Medicare approved amount for
durable medical equipment
Part A hospice care
• 5% of Medicare approved amount for
inpatient respite care
• Up to $5 copayment for each
outpatient prescription drug
Part A blood
• First three pints of blood
Most people receive premium-free Medicare Part
A. For those who do not qualify, the premiums for 2003 are:
Work quarters
30 to 39 quarters: $174 per month
Less than 30 quarters: $316 per month
Medicare Part B helps to cover:
• Medical and other services (doctor)
• Clinic lab services
• Home health care
• Outpatient hospital services
• Blood
Part B premiums, deductibles and coinsurance
Annual Part B deductible $100
Monthly Part B premium $58.70
The beneficiary is responsible for:
Part B medical services
• 20% of the Medicare approved amount after
deductible
• 50% for outpatient mental health care
Part B lab Nothing, if Medicare approved lab
service
Home health 20% of the Medicare approved amount
for
durable medical equipment
Outpatient hospital Varying copays and
coinsurance
Blood First 3 pints of blood, then 20% of the
Medicare approved amount for additional pints of blood
Many preventive services are also covered by
Medicare Part
B, in part or in full. These include:
• Bone mass measurements
• Colorectal cancer screening
• Diabetes services and supplies
• Glaucoma screening
• Mammogram screening
• Pap test and pelvic exam
• Prostate cancer screening
• Vaccinations including flu, pneumococcal
pneumonia and Hepatitis B.
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