2019 CHANGES IN THE INCOME RELATED MONTHLY ADJUSTMENT AMOUNT (IRMAA): 5% PAYMENT DECREASE FOR MOST IRMAA BRACKETS

Since 2011, if you are a Medicare Part D beneficiary with a higher annual income, you have been paying a monthly “adjustment amount” in addition to your Medicare Part D prescription drug plan premium.  This Medicare Part D Income-Related Monthly Adjustment Amount (IRMAA) is based on your modified adjusted gross income (MAGI), split into income brackets. 

IRMAA can change each year and is calculated using the recently released Medicare Part D standard base premium. Since there is a slight decrease in the 2019 standard base premium, the 2019 IRMAA payments will also decrease (by about 5%) for most income brackets.

However, starting in 2019, a sixth income bracket will be added, thus increasing the IRMAA payments for beneficiaries with individual incomes over $500,000 and couples over $750,000 — this is the only income bracket that will see an increase in their IRMAA payments — a 3.48% increase.

You can click here for details of the 2019 IRMAA changes. Also, you can learn more in our IRMAA FAQ section.