Groups seek Medicare Part B premium change

A coalition that includes America’s Health Insurance Plans (AHIP), the Blue Cross Blue Shield Association and Families USA is asking Congress to stop a looming increase in Medicare Part B premiums for some Part B enrollees.

The groups want lawmakers to find a way to compensate for the effects of a collision between a cost of living adjustment mechanism and a 1988 “hold harmless” law that keeps increases in Part B premiums from biting into Social Security retirement benefits for most Part B enrollees with annual income below a high-income enrollee cut-off.

If Congress does not change the current law, and Medicare program officials do not find a way to adjust it, monthly premiums for high-income enrollees, enrollees who are eligible for both Medicare and Medicaid, and enrollees who are new either to Medicare Part B or to collecting Social Security retirement benefits will increase 52 percent, to $159.30, the groups write in a letter to congressional leaders, according to a version of the letter posted on the Medicare Rights Center website.

The increase will affect about 30 percent of the Medicare Part B enrollees, the groups say.

Monthly premiums for other Part B enrollees will hold steady at $104.90.