The Part B deductible has changed over the years. This becomes important in understanding how it impacts your Medicare Supplement plan choice.
Part B Deductible over the years
| Year | Annual Part B Deductible |
| 1966-1972 | $ 50.00 |
| 1973-1981 | $ 60.00 |
| 1982-1990 | $ 75.00 |
| 1991-2004 | $ 100.00 |
| 2005 | $ 110.00 |
| 2006 | $ 124.00 |
| 2007 | $ 131.00 |
| 2008-2009 | $ 135.00 |
| 2010 | $ 155.00 |
| 2011 | $ 162.00 |
| 2012 | $ 140.00 |
| 2013-2015 | $ 147.00 |
| 2016 | $ 166.00 |
| 2017 | $ 183.00 |
Why is this important?
- It may affect those of you on Medicare, that have selected a Medicare Supplement plan, instead of a Medicare Advantage plan (see earlier post on the difference).
- Medicare Supplement plans work by picking up the various costs Medicare leaves to you, once they approve the charges.
What are those costs?
-
Part A
- Part A Deductible (For Days 1-60)
- Part A Per Day copay (for Days 61-90)
- Part A Per Day copay (when using the 60 lifetime reserve days)
- Part A coinsurance and hospital costs up to an additional 365 days after Medicare benefits are used up
-
Part B
- Part B Deductible
- Part B coinsurance — generally 20% of Medicare-approved expenses — or co-payments for hospital outpatient services
- Part B Excess Charges
Basically, the more of these costs you want the Medicare Supplement to pay for, the more the insurance will cost you. Currently available Medicare Supplements Plans are, A, B, C, D, F, Hi-Deductible F, G, K, L, M and N.
The most common among them is Plan F, which addresses all of them. Naturally, this tends to mean Medicare Supplement Plan F is the most expensive Medicare Supplement. The various Medicare Supplement plans are attached here: