Medicare Changes in 2023
- Medicare changes in 2023 include changes in Medicare premiums, deductibles and other costs, as well as changes in Medicare coverage and enrollment. Learn more and make sure you maximize your Medicare coverage in 2023.
Medicare is always evolving, and each new year typically brings a fresh set of changes to benefits, costs and other elements of the program. Read this 2023 Medicare guide to learn more about Medicare changes in the new year and find out how to get the most out of your Medicare benefits.
2023 Medicare Cost Changes
Medicare costs often changes from year to year. 2023 has ushered in new premiums, deductibles and copayments for Medicare Part A and Part B, together known as Original Medicare.
2023 Medicare Part A Premium
Most beneficiaries don’t pay a premium for Medicare Part A if they or their spouse paid enough in Medicare taxes during their working years. But those who do not qualify for premium-free Part A saw a small increase in their monthly premium in 2023.
The 2023 Medicare Part A premium ranges from $278 to $506 per month, depending on the number of years a beneficiary has paid Medicare taxes. In 2022, the monthly premiums ranged from $274 to $499.
2023 Medicare Part B Premium
Medicare Part B beneficiaries may be pleased to learn that their premium went down in 2023. The new standard Part B premium is $164.90 per month, down from $170.10 in 2022 (higher income earners continue to pay more but are also seeing a premium decrease for 2023).
This marks the first decrease of the Part B premium since 2012 and comes on the heels of one of the largest increases in the Part B premium in history from 2021 to 2022.
The decrease can be largely attributed to a change in the cost and coverage of certain Part B drugs.
2023 Medicare Part A Deductible
The Medicare Part A deductible increased from $1,556 to $1,600 per benefit period in 2023.
A benefit period begins the day you are admitted for inpatient care at a hospital or skilled nursing facility and ends when you have gone 60 consecutive days without inpatient care.
2023 Medicare Part B Deductible
Like the Part B monthly premium, the Medicare Part B deductible has also gone down in 2023. Beneficiaries will now pay $226 out of pocket before their Part B benefits kick in, compared to the $233 deductible they faced in 2022.
The Part B deductible decrease was the first since 2012.
2023 Medicare Part A Copayments
A couple of Medicare Part A copayments increased for 2023.
For days 61-90 of an inpatient hospital stay, the Medicare Part A copayment increased from $389 to $400 per day for 2023. For lifetime reserve days that begin on day 91 of an inpatient stay, the copayment increased from $778 in 2022 to $800 per day in 2023.
For days 21-100 of a skilled nursing facility stay, the Part A copayment increases from $194.50 per day in 2022 to $200 per day in 2023.
2023 Medicare Benefit and Enrollment Changes
Medicare coverage and enrollment also changed in 2023. Below are some additional changes to Medicare in the new year.
- Extended coverage of immunosuppressive drugs
Before 2023, beneficiaries who had qualified for Medicare coverage because of end-stage renal disease (ESRD) were only granted 36 months of coverage for immunosuppressive drugs that are used following a kidney transplant.
Beginning in 2023, Medicare will provide limited coverage beyond 36 months that can last for the rest of the patient’s life. - Insulin spending cap
The Inflation Reduction Act ushered in some insulin savings for Medicare beneficiaries. Beginning in 2023, those with Medicare drug coverage will pay no more than $35 for a one-month supply of Medicare-covered insulin products. - More free vaccines
Until 2023, only a small handful of vaccines were 100% covered by Medicare Part B, while those covered by Medicare Part C or Part D drug plans required patient cost-sharing.
Because of Medicare changes included in the Inflation Reduction Act, beneficiaries with drug coverage will no longer face copayments for certain vaccines such as those for shingles and Tdap (tetanus, diphtheria and pertussis). - More qualifying circumstances for Special Enrollment Periods
In 2023, the list of circumstances in which to qualify for a Special Enrollment Period are now extended to include those who miss their Initial Enrollment Period because of natural disasters, emergencies and other events.
2023 Annual Notice of Change
Medicare Advantage and Medicare Part D beneficiaries will receive an Annual Notice of Change in the mail each fall if there are any changes made to their plan regarding costs, coverage or conditions. It’s important to review this notice carefully and then shop for a new plan during the Fall Medicare Open Enrollment Period if necessary.
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