[See why most Medicare Part D enrollees don't choose the cheapest drug plan.]
Most current retirees will not be subject to large premium increases in the short term because of a law that limits premium increases to the dollar amount of the annual increase in Social Security benefits. A Congressional Budget Office report predicts that there will be no cost-of-living increases for Social Security beneficiaries in 2010 through 2012, which also means no Medicare Part B premium hike for the majority of beneficiaries. But new enrollees and current beneficiaries with incomes above $85,000 this year ($170,000 for couples),who make up approximately one quarter of Part B enrollees, could be charged unusually large premium increases over the next two years. Premiums for Medicare Part B and D and the prices for out-of-pocket medical expenses not covered by Medicare are likely to further increase in the future.
richard of MA @ Nov 19, 2009 00:18:19 AM
claire hontz of MA @ Jul 31, 2009 16:37:34 PM
Robert L. Matarainen of NY @ Jul 26, 2009 17:16:59 PM