[NFBF-L] FW: Medicare Part B Premium Announced for 2020

Thu Nov 14 23:55:15 UTC 2019

Those of us on SSDI, say good-bye to some of your cost of living increase.

Sherri

From: Medicare Watch [mailto:medicarewatch at medicarerights.org] 
Sent: Thursday, November 14, 2019 4:43 PM
To: flmom2006 at gmail.com
Subject: Medicare Part B Premium Announced for 2020

Developed by the  <https://medicarerights.us15.list-manage.com/track/click?u=1621f54a596f3717c22815356&id=21c545e80b&e=b4f6279b57> Medicare Rights Center, Medicare Watch is a weekly newsletter providing Medicare news and policy developments, as well as useful Medicare reminders. We hope you enjoy this week's issue. 

November 14, 2019 | Volume 10, Issue 42 

Medicare Part B Premium Announced for 2020

 <https://medicarerights.us15.list-manage.com/track/click?u=1621f54a596f3717c22815356&id=bbfed1a8e8&e=b4f6279b57> 

Last week, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS)  <https://medicarerights.us15.list-manage.com/track/click?u=1621f54a596f3717c22815356&id=1f9868f96c&e=b4f6279b57> announced
the Medicare Part B premium for 2020. Starting January 1, the standard Part B premium will increase from $135.50 to $144.60 per month. 

This increase comes on the heels of the  <https://medicarerights.us15.list-manage.com/track/click?u=1621f54a596f3717c22815356&id=bb6a4a219c&e=b4f6279b57> recently announced cost-of-living adjustment (COLA) for 2020. Next year individuals will see an increase of 1.6% in their Social Security benefits—an average of about $24 per month. In addition to the updated premium amounts, CMS announced an increase in the Medicare Part B annual deductible, from $185 in 2019 to $198 in 2020.

 <https://medicarerights.us15.list-manage.com/track/click?u=1621f54a596f3717c22815356&id=e51497a2c0&e=b4f6279b57> Read More 

Upcoming Medicare Additions for Treatment for Opioid Use Disorder

 <https://medicarerights.us15.list-manage.com/track/click?u=1621f54a596f3717c22815356&id=50fa7a3831&e=b4f6279b57> 

The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) recently finalized a rule that expands Medicare coverage for Opioid Use Disorder (OUD). Recent legislation, the  <https://medicarerights.us15.list-manage.com/track/click?u=1621f54a596f3717c22815356&id=df010d9646&e=b4f6279b57> Substance Use Disorder Prevention that Promotes Opioid Recovery and Treatment for Patients and Communities (SUPPORT) Act, established a pathway for this more comprehensive Medicare coverage of OUD services. Beginning on January 1, 2020, Medicare Part B will cover OUD treatment—including methadone for Medication Assisted Therapy (MAT)—furnished by an Opioid Treatment Program (OTP) under a bundled payment mechanism. This means a significant improvement in access to OUD care for people with Medicare, including for those who are dually eligible for Medicaid.

 <https://medicarerights.us15.list-manage.com/track/click?u=1621f54a596f3717c22815356&id=3686dc6da5&e=b4f6279b57> Read More 

Spotlight

A new article on Next Avenue written by Fred Riccardi, president of Medicare Rights, provides useful information about the new supplemental benefits available in Medicare Advantage.

Beginning this year and continuing into 2020, Medicare Advantage plans (Medicare coverage provided by private insurers) have increased flexibility to provide coverage for what the government calls supplemental benefits. These are services otherwise excluded by law from Original Medicare, and include things like meal delivery, transportation for non-medical needs, home air cleaners, and heart-healthy food.

Read the  <https://medicarerights.us15.list-manage.com/track/click?u=1621f54a596f3717c22815356&id=dbfb620b93&e=b4f6279b57> article on Next Avenue to learn important criteria for accessing these supplemental benefits and questions to ask before enrolling in a Medicare Advantage plan. 

Medicare Reminder

Medicare Savings Programs (MSPs), also known as Medicare Buy-In programs or Medicare Premium Payment Programs, help pay your Medicare costs if you have limited income and savings. There are three main programs, each with different benefits and eligibility requirements.

1.	Qualified Medicare Beneficiary (QMB): Pays for Medicare Parts A and B premiums. If you have QMB, typically  <https://medicarerights.us15.list-manage.com/track/click?u=1621f54a596f3717c22815356&id=decb450028&e=b4f6279b57> you should not be billed for Medicare-covered services when seeing Medicare providers or providers in your Medicare Advantage Plan’s network.
2.	Specified Low-income Medicare Beneficiary (SLMB): Pays for Medicare Part B premium.
3.	Qualifying Individual (QI) Program: Pays for Medicare Part B premium.

If you enroll in an MSP, you will also automatically get  <https://medicarerights.us15.list-manage.com/track/click?u=1621f54a596f3717c22815356&id=2f3651ea5c&e=b4f6279b57> Extra Help, the federal program that helps pay your Medicare prescription drug (Part D) plan costs.

To qualify for an MSP, you must have Medicare Part A and meet  <https://medicarerights.us15.list-manage.com/track/click?u=1621f54a596f3717c22815356&id=37c8f5e8ec&e=b4f6279b57> income and asset guidelines (note that these guidelines vary by state, and some states do not count assets when determining MSP eligibility). If you do not have Part A but meet QMB eligibility guidelines, your state may have a process to allow you to enroll in Part A and QMB. Many states allow this throughout the year, but others limit when you can enroll in Part A.

Remember, states use different rules to count your income and assets to determine if you are eligible for an MSP. Examples of income include wages and Social Security benefits you receive. Examples of assets include checking accounts and stocks. Certain income and assets may not count when determining your MSP eligibility. And some states do not have an asset limit.

If your income or assets seem to be above the MSP guidelines, you should still apply if you need the help.

 <https://medicarerights.us15.list-manage.com/track/click?u=1621f54a596f3717c22815356&id=87069c0df4&e=b4f6279b57> 

Medicare Rights works to protect and strengthen Medicare to ensure access to affordable health care for older adults and people with disabilities. Our work is made possible by your donations. Please consider making a tax-deductible contribution today.

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