On November 16, 2016, CMS published Medicare Part A and B beneficiary cost sharing amounts for 2016. With regard to Part A, the 2016 deductible for hospital inpatient admissions for the first 60 days of care will be $1,288, followed by $322 per day for days 61-90 and $644 per day for stays beyond the 90th day in a benefit period. The daily skilled nursing facility coinsurance for days 21 through 100 in a benefit period will be $161 in 2016.  CMS also published 2016 Medicare Part A premium amounts for the uninsured aged and disabled individuals who have exhausted other entitlement. Finally, CMS announced Medicare Part B premiums and deductibles for 2016, which reflect a provision of the Bipartisan Budget Act of 2015 that shields certain beneficiaries from a jump in premiums for 2016. Most beneficiaries will be "held harmless" from premium increases because there was no Social Security cost-of-living increase for 2016; their monthly premiums will remain $104.90. Beneficiaries not subject to the "hold harmless" provision will pay $121.80, although higher-income beneficiaries (income greater than $85,000 individual/$170,000 joint) pay an income-related premium ranging from $170.50 to a maximum of $389.80 per month. The Part B deductible is $166 for all Part B beneficiaries.

This article is presented for informational purposes only and is not intended to constitute legal advice.