2015 Medicare costs

Part B costs stay the same

The HHS said in a recent press release that Medicare Part B premiums and deductibles will remain the same for the second year in a row. Part B premiums will be $104.90 in 2015, and the annual deductible will be $147.

There are no proposed changes for the 2015 Medicare Part B co-insurance costs. Medicare beneficiaries will still be responsible for 20% of the Medicare-approved cost of medical services covered by Part B.

Some Part A costs to increase in 2015

Although Medicare Part B will not experience any cost adjustments in 2015, Medicare Part A has several cost changes.

Part A costs increasing in 2015 include the inpatient hospital stay deductible, the inpatient hospital stay co-insurance, and the skilled nursing facility co-insurance.

For the small portion of Medicare beneficiaries that pay the Part A monthly premium, this cost will decrease from $426 in 2014 to $407 in 2015.

Medicare Supplement insurance coverage for 2015 Medicare costs

Medicare Supplement insurance policies (or Medigap plans) will cover some of the 2015 Medicare costs listed above.

All Medigap plans cover some or all of the Part A inpatient hospital stay co-insurance. Some of these plans also include coverage for the Part A skilled nursing facility co-insurance, the Part A inpatient hospital stay deductible, and the Part B deductible.

No Medigap policies cover Medicare premiums, however.

The table below shows which Medigap plans will cover certain Medicare out-of-pocket costs in 2015.

Medigap Plans F and C provide the most coverage for Medicare out-of-pocket costs. For more information about Medigap plans and coverage, read our page on Medicare Supplement benefits.