Sunday, 13 October 2024
by BD Banks
Medicare costs for average Americans differ depending on circumstances for individual recipients and the specific parts of Medicare they are enrolled in.
For hospital insurance, taken care of by Medicare Part A, most people do not have to pay a premium if, while working, they paid Medicare taxes. But there can be deductibles associated with stays in hospitals.
From Retirement Daily: Those 50-cent Medicare Part D Premiums Are Long Gone for 2025
Medicare Part B covers preventive and outpatient health care costs. In 2024, the standard monthly premium is $164.90. Depending on a recipient’s income, however, it can be higher.
A deductible also exists — for $226 annually. After paying it, Medicare enrollees typically pay 20% of the total amount for most services.
Private health insurance companies also provide coverage for Medicare Part C, also known as Medicare Advantage. These costs vary and include monthly premiums, deductibles and copayments.
But it’s Medicare Part D — the cost of prescription medications — that will see premiums rise by significant amounts in eight states for 2025.
Related: Medicare changes will impact your wallet in 2025
Medicare recipients who live in Alaska, California, Connecticut, Massachusetts, New Jersey, New York, Rhode Island and Vermont have been paying low premiums for prescription drugs — often as low as $0.50 per month, or $6 annually in 2024.
Those premium prices are set to rise by significant amounts in 2025. The lowest cost Part D plan where only generic prescriptions are used is Wellcare Value Script, offered by the insurer Centene (CNC) .
On an annual basis, the Part D premiums for Wellcare Value Script in these states will increase by more than 500%, and, in many cases, significantly more.
More on Medicare:
Here’s a look at the Wellcare Value Script cost jumps, assuming two generic blood pressure drugs, in each of these states:
Alaska: The total 2024 annual premium was $42. In 2025, it will be $267.60, an increase of 537%.
California: The total 2024 annual premium was $4.80. In 2025, it will be $208.80, an increase of 4,250%.
Connecticut: The total 2024 annual premium was $6. In 2025, it will be $148.80, an increase of 2,380%.
Massachusetts: The total 2024 annual premium was $6. In 2025, it will be $148.80, an increase of 2,380%.
New Jersey: The total 2024 annual premium was $0. In 2025, it will be $27.60.
New York: The total 2024 annual premium was $44.40. In 2025, it will be $464.40, an increase of 946%.
Rhode Island: The total 2024 annual premium was $6. In 2025, it will be $148.80, an increase of 2,380%.
Vermont: The total 2024 annual premium was $6. In 2025, it will be $148.80, an increase of 2,380%.
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In the other 42 states, Wellcare Value Script will offer a premium of $0, assuming your prescriptions qualify. Remember that the examples above are for two generic blood pressure medications.
Medicare recipients who would like to review their own costs can visit Medicare.gov to browse Part D prices for 2025.
Marcia Mantell, founder and president of Mantell Retirement Consulting, Inc., suggests doing this research, comparing what you find to what you are paying in 2024, and sending the results to your elected representatives in Congress.
“Dealing in this much minutiae as a retiree is beyond crazy,”” she wrote. “Only Congress can change any of this insanity. Encourage them to get on it.”
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