Part B Insider (Multispecialty) Coding Alert

After two years of Part B deductibles that stood at $147.00, CMS has decided to have Medicare beneficiaries pay a bit more for their care. The Part B annual deductible for 2016 will be $166.00, CMS announced on Nov. 10.

“Our goal is to keep Medicare Part B premiums affordable, said CMS Acting Administrator Andy Slavitt in a statement. “Affordability for Medicare enrollees is a key goal of our work building a health care system that delivers better care and spends health care dollars more wisely.”

The Part A deductible will increase by $28.00 next year, from the current amount of $1,260 to $1,288, CMS announced. For beneficiaries in skilled nursing facilities, the daily coinsurance for days 61 through 90 in a benefit period will be $161.00 in 2016, compared to $157.50 in 2015, the agency said.

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