Benefits For Medicare will include increases in both deductibles and premiums in 2010. The Part A inpatient hospital deductible will increase by approximately 4% while the Part B annual deductible will increase by approximately 8%. The annual premiums for Part D will increase by approximately 27%.

Please Refer to the Comparison Tables Below. These tables compare the 2009 and 2010 Benefits For Medicare and the Associated Cost for Medicare Part A, Part B and Part D.

Do of all of these Out-of-Pocket Expenses and Gaps of Coverage concern you? Then you might want to consider obtaining a Medicare (Medigap) Supplement Policy or a Medicare Advantage Plan. Some of the Medigap plans pay 100% of all the Part A and Part B annual premiums, deductibles and coinsurance cost. Depending on your age, the annual premium for a Medicare (Medigap) Supplement policy may be less than the cost of the $1112 deductible charged on your first day of a inpatient hospital stay. All of the benefits for Medicare (Medigap) Supplement plans have been standardized by the Federal Government. For example, a Medicare Supplement Plan “F” includes the same benefits regardless of the insurance company. The reputation of the insurance carrier, their policy premiums and your agent's service should be the determining factor of any insurance purchase. You may obtain a list of licensed insurance carriers in your area from your state insurance department.