2018 Elder Law Numbers

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Written by Jill Burzynski

Reviewed by Kara Evans

The 2018 Elder Law Numbers have been announced by the various government agencies which administer the programs.  They are as follows:

The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) has released the new Medicare premiums, deductibles, and co-payments for 2018:

  • Basic Part B premium: $134.00/month (was $109.00 in 2017)
  • Part B deductible: $183 (same as 2017)
  • Part A deductible: $1,340 (was $1,316 in 2017)
  • Co-payment for hospital stay days 61-90: $335/day (was $329 in 2017); Co-payment for hospital stay days 91-150: $670/day (was $644 in 2017)
  • All costs for each day beyond 150 days
  • Skilled nursing facility co-payment, days 21-100: $167.50/day (was $164.50 in 2017)

Individuals with annual incomes over $85,000 and married couples with annual incomes over $170,000 will pay a higher Medicare Part B premium, with a minimum monthly premium of $187.50.

CMS has also released the 2018 guidelines for how much spouses of institutionalized Elder Law Medicaid recipients may keep.

  • Maximum Community Spouse Resource Allowance:  $123,600 (was $120,900 in 2017)
  • Minimum Community Spouse Resource Allowance:  $24,720 (was $24,280 in 2017)
  • Maximum Monthly Maintenance Needs Allowance:  $3,090.00 (was $3,022.50 in 2017)
  • Minimum Monthly Maintenance Needs Allowance:  $2,030.00 (thru June 30, 2018)
  • Medicaid Income Cap:  $2,250.00 per month (was $2,205 in 2017)
  • Medicaid penalty divisor: $8,944.00 (was $8,662 last year)

2018 VA Law “Aid and Attendance” Figures:

Single Veteran………………………………. $1,830/mo.

Married Veteran………………………………$2,169/mo.

Widowed Spouse………………………….. $1,176 /mo.