How Much You'll PayFor Medicare in 2011

Some beneficiaries will face higher costs each month for coverage in the New Year.

Medicare just announced the 2011 rates for monthly premiums for Part B coverage of doctor’s visits and outpatient treatment and Part D coverage of prescription drugs. The big news for next year: For the first time, higher-income beneficiaries (about 5% of all Medicare recipients) will pay a Part D surcharge. They’ll pay the regular Part D premium to their private insurance plan and will pay the income-related adjustment to Medicare.

Also, new Medicare beneficiaries in 2011 will pay higher Part B premiums than current beneficiaries, who are protected against premium increases in years like this in which Social Security cost-of-living adjustments aren’t large enough. (See How to Avoid the Medicare High-Income Surcharge.)

Here’s what you’ll pay in monthly premiums in 2011, depending on your income level and year of enrollment:

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Individuals with modified adjusted gross income less than $85,000 and married couples filing jointly with less than $170,000

• Part B premium (first-time Medicare enrollees in 2011): $115.40 per month

• Part B premium (first-time enrollees in 2010): $110.50 per month

• Part B premium (enrolled in 2009 or before): $96.40 per month

• Part D surcharge: none

Individuals with modified adjusted gross income from $85,000 to $107,000 and married couples filing jointly with incomes from $170,000 to $214,000

• Part B premium: $161.50 per month

• Part D surcharge: $12 per month

Individuals with income from $107,000 to $160,000 and married couples filing jointly with income from $214,000 to $320,000

• Part B premium: $230.70 per month

• Part D surcharge: $31.10 per month

Individuals with income from $160,000 to $214,000 and married couples filing jointly with income from $320,000 to $428,000

• Part B premium: $299.90 per month

• Part D surcharge: $50.10 per month

Individuals with income of more than $214,000 and married couples filing jointly with income of more than $428,000

• Part B premium: $369.10 per month

• Part D surcharge: $69.10 per month