2023 Medicare Changes – New Benefits and Costs

The following highlight key 2023 Medicare changes. Some changes are positive, such as vaccines being covered. Others may cost you more. While Medicare is a national program, we continue to point out that many plan options are local. Seeking information from a local Medicare agent can help you get the best coverage for the lowest cost.

Medicare Part A Costs Are Rising

Medicare Part A costs are increasing in 2023. The average increase is 3%. This is lower than the 2022 increase.

All Medicare Part A costs are increasing for 2023. This includes the deductible and coinsurance.

Most people get Medicare Part A for free and are enrolled automatically when they turn 65. But if you have to pay for Part A, your premiums typically increase yearly. 2023 premiums will be higher than 2022.

The following are key Part A Costs:

Hospital deductible for each hospital admission
2023: $1,600
2022: $1,556

Hospital coinsurance for days 61-90
2023: $400
2022: $389

Hospital coinsurance for days 91+
2023: $800
2022: $778

Skilled nursing facility coinsurance for days 21-100
2023: $200-per-day
2022: $194.50

Monthly rate: You paid Medicare taxes (less than 30 quarters earned)
2023: $506
2022: $499

Monthly rate: You paid Medicare taxes for 30 to 39 quarters earned
2023: $278
2022: $274

Find The Best Medicare Plan Options

A local Medicare insurance agent can help you compare plans available in your area. Use the Association’s free directory to see those in your Zip Code. Click on the banner ad to access. No personal info is needed to see the listing. Just your Zip Code.

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2023 Medicare Changes Explained – Part A

Medicare Part A continues to be free if you paid Medicare taxes for 10 years or more.

However, if you worked and paid Medicare taxes for less than 7.5 years, you’ll pay $506 per month for Part A in 2023. That is an increase from $499 (2022).

For hospital stays lasting between 1 and 60 you will pay the $1,600 deductible. This assumes that you have not already met the deductible.

The 2023 Part A coinsurance is a set amount for each day you are in a hospital over 60 days. You do not pay any coinsurance for the first 60 days in the hospital.

After day 60, (days 61 to 90) you pay $400 per day for each benefit period. For 91 and beyond, you pay $800 for each “lifetime reserve day” for each benefit period. Medicare enrollees get a maximum of 60 lifetime reserve days.

Should you need to go to a skilled nursing facility (nursing home) you pay no coinsurance for your first 20 days. For days 21 through 100 you will pay $200 per day in 2023. That is an increase from $194.50, the 2022 amount.

Part B Changes

Medicare enrollees will pay a lower Part B rate and deductible in 2023.

The cost of Medicare Part B will go down from $170.10 per month in 2022 to $164.90 in 2023.

The Medicare Part B deductible is also decreasing in 2023. The annual Part B deductible will be $226 in 2023, a decrease from the $233 in 2022.

A New Plan For Those With Kidney Transplant

Medicare will now offer a new Part B plan for people who’ve had a kidney transplant.

The plan’s benefit extend coverage for drugs that help your body avoid rejecting a donor kidney beyond the current limit of 36 months.

This new plan only covers anti-rejection drugs and Medicare points out that it is not a substitute for full health insurance. The monthly rate is $97.10 for individuals earning $97,000 or less. The monthly premium increases for higher earners.

To sign up, call Social Security at 800-772-1213. TTY users can call 800-325-0788.

Medicare Advantage (Part C) Changes for 2023

Medicare Advantage (Part C) costs may increase for some. Today, plans may also offer no-cost (no-premium) options. In 2023, the average Medicare enrollees will pay $18 per month. That’s a dollar decrease from 2022.

If you have drug coverage through a Part C or Part D plan, you’ll likely to see two important cost and benefit changes for 2023.

Certain types of insulin will cost no more than $35 per month.

Vaccines recommended by the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) will be free, including the shingles vaccine.

2023 Medicare Prescription Drug Plan (Part D) Changes

The average rate for a standard Medicare Part D plan will be $31.50 per month in 2023. That is a nominal decrease from $32.08 in 2022.

Other Part D costs will increase in 2023. The maximum Part D deductible will increase to $505 in 2023. That is up from $480 in 2022.

The threshold for entering the “catastrophic coverage phase” (the donut hole phase) will go up from $7,050 in 2022 to $7,400 in 2023.

New 2023 Limits on Insulin Costs & Vaccinations

All Medicare Part D and Medicare Advantage plans with prescription coverage will now cap the monthly cost of select insulin products at $35.

Starting on July 1, people with (only) Original Medicare (Parts A & B) who use an insulin pump will also pay no more than $35 for a monthly supply of insulin.

Starting in 2023, vaccines covered under Medicare Part D will be free. You will pay no deductible, coinsurance or copay for vaccines. This now includes the shingles vaccine.

A New Enrollment Period Has Been Added

Medicare is adding a new enrollment period in 2023 to help people affected by certain events like a natural disaster or losing Medicaid.

There are also changes to existing enrollment periods that will get your coverage started earlier.

You can get more information about how to qualify and when to apply at Medicare.gov or speak to a local Medicare insurance broker.

Additional Medicare Information You May Find Of Value

Please click on any of the links (below). Read other recent news stories or reports containing information we believe you may find of value.

What Are The 4 Types of Medicare?

The Difference Between Medicare Broker Medicare Agent Matters

Best Medigap 2023 Prices Reported By Association

Senate Report Slams Medicare Advantage Marketing Practices

Medicare Advantage Added Benefits Worth $2,000

What Medicare Supplement Is The Most Popular Medigap?

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