This is the typical government strategy of releasing bad news on a late Friday afternoon.
Departing from the Medicare Trustees' recommendation, the out-patient Part B premiums will increase 14.8%, or more than an extra $260 per year for 2022. The 2021 Medicare Part B premium cost was $148.50 per month, but for 2022 it will be $170.10. It was anticipated that the increase would be to $158.50 per month. The Trustees' report recommended a $215 to $217 increase in the yearly cost. The deductible will be increasing from $203 to $233. (The increase in Social Security is 5.9%.)
For those on a fixed income, or those not able to work overtime, will have this added to the extra burden of food costs due to increasing inflation.
The new Alzheimer's drug, Aduhelm (aducanumab), is a Part B administered drug, and therefore not a Part D drug administered through a separate plan. It is being suggested that CMS is anticipating billions of dollars in extra cost due to this drug, which merits the 14.8% increase in the Part B premium.
It's also being suggested that the anticipate costs of free Covid-19 care is driving this.
People who are choosing their new Medicare Advantage Plans, who still must pay their Part B premium despite some deceptive advertisements, should check the summary of benefits for Part B drugs to see if the cost of this new drug will be passed to them directly.
"Medicare Part B premiums for 2022 jump by 14.5% from this year, far above the estimated rise in cost," CNBC is reporting.
Another cause for worry will be the ending of the waivers for Covid-19 treatment and care by private insurers which is not mandated by Congress.
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