Medicare's Part B monthly premium for 2022 will increase by $21.72, the largest dollar increase in the health insurance program's history, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) announced on Nov. 12. Standard monthly premiums for Part B will cost $170.22 in 2022, up from $148.50 in 2021.
Medicare Part B covers doctor visits and other outpatient services, such as lab tests and diagnostic screenings.
CMS officials gave three reasons for the historically high premium increase:
Rising prices to deliver health care to Medicare enrollees and increased use of the healthcare system. Some of the higher health care spending is being attributed to COVID-19 care.
In 2021, because of the pandemic, Congress took action to significantly lower the expected Part B premium increase for that year, something AARP fought hard for.
In 2021, the Part B premium increased only $3 a month. Congress directed CMS to pay back that reduced premium over time and that payback is starting in 2022.
CMS is setting aside money in its reserves in the event it decides that Medicare will cover, Aduhelm, a new Alzheimer’s drug that was approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) earlier this year.
CMS is still doing an analysis to determine whether Medicare will cover Aduhelm — and how and any similar drugs to treat Alzheimer's. CMS officials said the fact that they are setting aside money to cover the use of that drug "in no way implies what the coverage determination will be" but that they have to plan for the possibility that Medicare will cover this high-cost drug, whose price has been estimated at $56,000 a year.
CMS officials stressed that while the 14.5 percent Part B premium increase is a stiff one, the Social Security cost-of-living adjustment (COLA) — at 5.9 percent, the largest in 30 years - is estimated to average $71.40 per recipient. So even after the increase in the Medicare Part B premium, most Social Security recipients, whose Part B premiums are typically deducted from their Social Security benefits, will still see a net increase in their monthly check. The COLA goes into effect in January.
Premiums for some Medicare enrollees will be higher than the standard because these monthly payments are based on income. Part B beneficiaries with annual incomes greater than $91,000 will pay more — how much more will depend upon income. For example, someone filing an individual tax return whose income is between $91,000 and $114,000 will pay $238.10 a month for Part B. CMS says about 7 percent of Medicare beneficiaries will have to pay more than the standard monthly premium.
Most Medicare enrollees must pay the Part B premium whether they have original Medicare or a Medicare Advantage plan. Some Advantage plans offer a so-called "give back" benefit where the plan covers part or all of a member's Part B monthly premium. Consumers can find those plans on the Medicare plan finder. Deductibles in MA vary by plan.
Other Medicare charges also rising
The annual Part B deductible will rise $30 next year to $233, up from this year's $203.
For Medicare Part A, which covers hospitalization and some nursing home and home health care services, the inpatient deductible that patients must pay for each hospital admission will increase by $72 in 2022 to $1,556, up from $1,484 this year. Almost all Medicare beneficiaries (99 percent) pay no Part A premium. Only people who have not worked long enough to pay their share of Medicare taxes are liable for Part A premiums.
Open enrollment for Medicare began Oct. 15 and continues through Dec. 7. During this period, beneficiaries can review their coverage and decide whether to make changes. If you have questions on your Medicare Coverage for the 2022 Benefit Year, contact the Trusted Medicare Experts at MRW Solutions Group at 866-630-6338 if you are in the states we service of Michigan, Ohio, New York, South Carolina, Virginia, Arizona or Texas.
Author: Monica Ross-Williams, MBA; LIA
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