No Increase In Medicare Monthly Premium For Seniors, Disabled In 2009

September 20, 2008 8:03 a.m. EST

Washington, D.C. (AHN) - The monthly Medicare premium for seniors and disabled people will remain at $96.40 next year, the U.S. Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMMS) said Friday.

The 2009 Medicare Part B Program deductible will also remain at $135 in 2009 as it is this year, CMMS said, according to US News and World Report.

The premium and deductible cover service cost of physicians, outpatient hospital, certain home health facilities, durable medical equipment and other items. CMMS officials assured there is adequate reserve in Medicare Part B trust fund account to cover the cost and demand for healthcare.

Meanwhile, the monthly premium payment for Part A coverage or hospital, hospice and nursing home care will increase from $423 in 2008 to $443 in 2009. Likewise, the deductible for Part A program will rise $44, to $1,068 in 2009.