The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) has announced the “new” Medicare premiums, deductibles, and coinsurance amounts for 2010. The standard Medicare Part B premium will remain at the 2009 level of $96.40 a month for most beneficiaries (those who have their Medicare Part B premiums withheld from their retirement benefits – for others the premium will rise to $110.50).

The frozen level is in keeping with the 2009-2010 freeze on many other federal financial factors that are keyed to the Social Security retirement benefits (also frozen).

Here are the new Medicare figures:

• Part B premium: $96.40/month
• Part B deductible: $155 annually
• Part A deductible: $1,100 for hospital stays during initial 60 days
• Co-payment for hospital stay days 61-90: $275/day
• Co-payment for hospital stay days 91-150: $550/day
• Patient responsible for ALL Part A costs beyond day 150 (thus the importance of a good Medicare supplemental policy)
• Skilled nursing facility co-payment, days 21-100: $137.50/day for days 21-100

As directed by 2003 Medicare law, higher income beneficiaries will pay higher Part B premiums. Social Security will base the premiums on reported income (for federal tax purposes) from two years previously (e.g., 2008 income for 2010 premiums). Following are the higher premium rates:

Individuals with annual incomes between $85,000 and $107,000 and married couples with annual incomes between $170,000 and $214,000 in 2008 will pay a monthly premium of $154.70 (an increase of $44.20).

Individuals with annual incomes between $107,001 and $160,000 and married couples with annual incomes between $214,001 and $320,000 in 2008 will pay a monthly premium of $221.00.

Individuals with annual incomes between $160,001 and $214,000 and married couples with annual incomes between $320,001 and $428,000 in 2008 will pay a monthly premium of $287.30.

Individuals with annual incomes of $214,001 or more and married couples with annual incomes of $428,001 or more in 2008 will pay a monthly premium of $353.60.