Here are the new numbers for Medicare premiums, deductibles, and copays for 2022.
Most people don't pay a monthly premium for Medicare Part A (hospital insurance). But if you have to pay for Part A because you or your spouse don't have a long enough work history, you'll pay between $274 (if you have 30-39 work credits) and $499 (if you have fewer than 30 work credits).
In 2022, you'll also pay a $1,556 deductible for each benefit period in which you use hospital or skilled nursing inpatient care, in addition to the following copays.
The standard Medicare Part B premium is $170.10 per month in 2022. But some people who were enrolled in Medicare in 2021 or earlier will pay slightly less (about $155 per month) because of a hold harmless provision that doesn't allow Social Security payments to be reduced from year to year for Medicare premiums.
If you first enroll in Medicare Part B during 2022 or you are not collecting Social Security benefits, your premium will be $170.50 per month. Also, if your adjusted gross income is over $91,000 (or $182,000 for a couple), the monthly premium is higher. The monthly surcharges have increased for 2022, as follows:
Yearly Income in 2020 |
Additional Monthly Premium in 2022 |
single, $91,001–$114,000 |
$238.10 |
married, $182,001–$228,000 |
$238.10 |
single, $114,001–$142,000 |
$340.20 |
married, $228,001–$284,000 |
$340.20 |
single, $142,001–$170,000 |
$442.30 |
married, $284,001–$340,000 |
$442.30 |
single, $170,001–$499,999 |
$544.30 |
married, $340,001–$749,999 |
$544.30 |
single, $500,000 or above |
$578.30 |
married, $750,000 or above |
$578.30 |
The Part B deductible for 2022 increased to $233 per year.
The cap on outpatient physical therapy, speech-language pathology, or occupational therapy has been removed, but there are still thresholds, as follows:
If your therapist tells Medicare that more care is medically necessary and Medicare approves, you can go over the thresholds.
Beneficiaries of Part C, also called Medicare Advantage, have to pay the Part B premium as well as a monthly premium, although a good number of Advantage plans don't charge a monthly premium, and they generally have lower costs than traditional Medicare plans.
The average monthly premium for Medicare Advantage plans in 2022 has decreased to $19.
Part D premiums vary depending on the plan you choose, with an average of $33. The maximum Part D deductible for 2022 is $480 per year (though some plans waive the deductible completely).
Also, if your adjusted gross income is over $91,000 (or $182,000 for a couple), you will pay a monthly adjustment amount to Medicare in addition to your monthly Part D premium. Here are the Part D additional amounts for individuals making over $91,000 and married couples making over $182,000:
Yearly Income in 2020 |
Monthly Surcharge in 2022 |
single, $91,001–$114,000 |
$12.40 |
married, $182,001–$228,000 |
$12.40 |
single, $114,001–$142,000 |
$32.10 |
married, $228,001–$284,000 |
$32.10 |
single, $142,001–$170,000 |
$51.70 |
married, $284,001–$340,000 |
$51.70 |
single, $170,001–$499,999 |
$71.30 |
married, $340,001–$749,999 |
$71.30 |
single, $500,000 or above |
$77.90 |
married, $750,000 or above |
$77.90 |
You no longer have to pay the full amount of your drug costs while in the "donut hole" (also called the "coverage gap"). Once your total yearly drug expense reaches $4,430 (and until your total out-of-pocket costs reach $7,050), you must pay 25% of your drug costs for both brand name and generic drugs. When you are on the other side of the donut hole (once you've reached $7,050 in spending), you pay only 5%, or $3.95 for generics and preferred drugs and $9.85 for brand name drugs, whichever is greater.
There are subsidies available to pay for Part D for those with low income (called Extra Help). See Nolo's article on Extra Help for Part D for more information.
Effective date: Jan 01, 2022