Wealthier retirees will see moresubstantial increases to Part B premiums, which are based offretirees' income. About 5 percent of Part B enrollees are affectedby income-related monthly adjustment amounts, which can be seenbelow. (Photo: Shutterstock)

Premiums and deductibles on Medicare plans will see only nominalincreases for most beneficiaries in 2019, according to the Centersfor Medicare and Medicaid Services.

Individual enrollees and couples in Part B plans that make lessthan $85,000 and $170,000, respectively, will see a standardmonthly premium increase of $1.50 to $135.50.

Wealthier retirees will see more substantial increases to Part Bpremiums, which are based off retirees' income. About 5 percent ofPart B enrollees are affected by income-related monthly adjustmentamounts:

• Individuals with income between $85,000 and $107,000, andcouples with earnings between $170,000 and $214,000 will see a$54.10 monthly premium increase, to $189.60.
• Individuals with income between $107,000 and $133,500 andcouples with earnings between $214,000 and $267,000 will see a$135.40 monthly premium increase, to $270.90.
• Individuals with income between $133,500 and $160,000 andcouples with earnings between $267,000 and $320,000 will see a$216.70 monthly premium increase, to $352.20.
• Individuals with income between $160,000 and $500,000 andcouples with earnings between $320,000 and $750,000 will see a$297.90 monthly premium increase, to $433.40.
• Individuals with income exceeding $500,000 and couples withearnings more than $750,000 will see a $325.00 monthly premiumincrease, to $460.50.

Part B plans cover physician services, outpatient services, andsome home health services.

Part B premiums and Social Security COLA

Part B premiums are deducted from Social Security payments. Thisweek, the Social Security Administration announced a 2.8 percentcost of living adjustment to account for year-over-yearinflation.

That will result in a $39 a month increase to the averagebenefit for all retirees, which will be $1,461 in 2019.

Under Social Security's hold-harmless provision, increases inPart B premiums for some beneficiaries cannot be greater thanSocial Security's COLA increase.

According to CMS, 3.5 percent of Medicare beneficiaries, orabout 2 million enrollees, will pay less than the full Part Bmonthly premium on account of the hold-harmless provision.

Part B's annual deductible will be $185 in 2019, up $2 from2018.

Slight increases to Medicare Part A deductibles

Enrollees in Medicare Part A, which covers inpatient services,will see slightly higher deductible payments in 2019.

The inpatient hospital deductible will be $1,364 for 2019, up$24 from $1,340 in 2018.

About 99 percent of enrollees don't pay a monthly premium onPart A plans because they paid into the program during workingyears.

The plan covers 60 days of inpatient care.

After that period is exhausted, beneficiaries pay dailyco-insurance fees. In 2019, that rate will be $341 a day for days61 to 90 in the hospital, and $682 a day after that. Those ratesare up marginally from 2018.