Medicare Part B Deductibles and Premium Just Announced -

yogooglethis

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Next year's tiny Social Security cost-of-living increase means that about 70 percent of Medicare recipients will be protected from rising medical costs. For this group, the average premium will be about $109 a month.

That's about 4 percent more than the $104.90 they paid this year.

Medicare's Part B covers outpatient services such as office visits.

For the remaining beneficiaries, the average 2017 premium will be $134, or 10 percent higher.

On top of the basic premium, individual retirees making more than $85,000 and married couples with incomes above $170,000 pay an extra surcharge. Those range to nearly $300 at the highest income levels.

The Part B deductible will be $183.
 
Wouldn't there also be some variation in the 121.80 to 134 group which is not being discussed here? ie wouldn't the Social Security increase limit the Part B premium increase on 121.80 to something less than 134?
 
Wouldn't there also be some variation in the 121.80 to 134 group which is not being discussed here? ie wouldn't the Social Security increase limit the Part B premium increase on 121.80 to something less than 134?


No. :no:

"For the remaining roughly 30 percent of beneficiaries, the standard monthly premium for Medicare Part B will be $134.00 for 2017, a 10 percent increase from the 2016 premium of $121.80. Because of the “hold harmless” provision covering the other 70 percent of beneficiaries, premiums for the remaining 30 percent must cover most of the increase in Medicare costs for 2017 for all beneficiaries."
 
No. :no:

"For the remaining roughly 30 percent of beneficiaries, the standard monthly premium for Medicare Part B will be $134.00 for 2017, a 10 percent increase from the 2016 premium of $121.80. Because of the “hold harmless” provision covering the other 70 percent of beneficiaries, premiums for the remaining 30 percent must cover most of the increase in Medicare costs for 2017 for all beneficiaries."

Are their SS checks going up more than the $13 increase? I thought with the held harmless they can have a part B premium increase more than their COLA?
 
Doesn't the "other 70%" group in 2017 include two subgroups- the "other 70% group" from 2016 and the "newly enlisted" in 2016?

So my question goes to the "newly enlisted" in 2016 subgroup. Does their premium reduce in 2017, or do they increase in 2017-only to the extent of their SS income increase, or do they increase to 134?
 
Wouldn't there also be some variation in the 121.80 to 134 group which is not being discussed here? ie wouldn't the Social Security increase limit the Part B premium increase on 121.80 to something less than 134?
If the person currently paying $121.80 signed up for SS, they are now held harmless and their increase will match their COLA (a unique premium amount in the $126 ballpark). If they did not sign up for SS their premium increases to $134.

Only those currently paying $104.90 will pay a unique amount in the $109 ballpark.
"Among this group, the average 2017 premium will be about $109.00, compared to $104.90 for the past four years."
 
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Doesn't the "other 70%" group in 2017 include two subgroups- the "other 70% group" from 2016 and the "newly enlisted" in 2016?

So my question goes to the "newly enlisted" in 2016 subgroup. Does their premium reduce in 2017, or do they increase in 2017-only to the extent of their SS income increase, or do they increase to 134?


"Medicare Part B beneficiaries not subject to the “hold harmless” provision include beneficiaries who do not receive Social Security benefits, those who enroll in Part B for the first time in 2017, those who are directly billed for their Part B premium, those who are dually eligible for Medicaid and have their premium paid by state Medicaid agencies, and those who pay an income-related premium. These groups represent approximately 30 percent of total Part B beneficiaries."
 
" If you pay your Part B premium through your monthly Social Security benefit, you’ll pay less ($109 on average)."

I just wasn't sure if the line above was a very general generalization or really a true reflection of what will happen.
 
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