Medicare Announces 2011 Deductible and Coinsurance Rates

Last week, Medicare announced on CMS.gov in a fact sheet titled "Medicare Premiums, Deductibles for 2011". This fact sheet gives detailed information on the increases to the yearly premium and deductible Medicare patients will have to face in the coming year.

Just as an FYI, I listed a brief summary of the deductible and coinsurance amounts. This information can be used to inform your patients about their Medicare benefits as well as collecting upfront payments from your Medicare patients.

Medicare Part A: This pays for inpatient hospital, skilled nursing facility and some home health care for up to 150 days.

• For days 1-60, $1,132.00
• For days 61-90, $283.00 per day
• For days 91-150, $566.00 per day

Skilled Nursing Facility

• For days 21 thru 100, $141.50

Medicare Part B: This pays for physician services, outpatient services, durable medical equipment (DME), and some home health services.

• $162.00 per year plus 20% coinsurance

For more detailed information about Medicare rates, visit www.cms.gov.