US announces big hike in Medicare premiums
Source: CNN
The federal government announced a large hike in Medicare premiums Friday night, blaming the pandemic but also what it called uncertainty over how much it may have to be forced to pay for a pricey and controversial new Alzheimer's drug.
The 14.5% increase in Part B premiums will take monthly payments for those in the lowest income bracket from $148.50 a month this year to $170.10 in 2022. Medicare Part B covers physician services, outpatient hospital services, certain home health services, medical equipment, and certain other medical and health services not covered by Medicare Part A, including medications given in doctors' offices.
The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services played down the spike, pointing out that most beneficiaries also collect Social Security benefits and will see a cost-of-living adjustment of 5.9% in their 2022 monthly payments, the agency said in a statement. That's the largest bump in 30 years.
"This significant COLA increase will more than cover the increase in the Medicare Part B monthly premium," CMS said. "Most people with Medicare will see a significant net increase in Social Security benefits. For example, a retired worker who currently receives $1,565 per month from Social Security can expect to receive a net increase of $70.40 more per month after the Medicare Part B premium is deducted."
The actual spike -- the largest since 2016 -- could hurt some seniors financially.
It "will consume the entire annual cost of living adjustment (COLA) of Social Security recipients with the very lowest benefits, of about $365 per month," said Mary Johnson, a Social Security and Medicare policy analyst for The Senior Citizens League, an advocacy group. "Social Security recipients with higher benefits should be able to cover the $21.60 per month increase, but they may not wind up with as much left over as they were counting on."
Read more: https://www.cnn.com/2021/11/12/health/medicare-premium-hike/index.html
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spooky3
(38,633 posts)Cover ALL expenses. It isn’t ONLY for Medicare costs. If the SS increase is 5.9% and Medicare goes up 14%, that means Medicare is taking a big bite out of the SS increase. Leaving less for rent/mortgage, food, gasoline, etc.
Journeyman
(15,448 posts)Bastards.
Made doubly so in their explanation.
If Congress granted Medicare the right to bargain pharmaceutical prices, this "pricey and controversial" Alzheimer's drug would just be absorbed into the newly negotiated price points.
If $15/hour is the "accepted" living wage nationwide, why shouldn't Social Security recipients receive that on average, nationwide, instead of the $8.63 paid on average today?
Skittles
(171,710 posts)but because of dwindling pensions and stagnated wages, that's exactly what it has become for far too many people
Crazyleftie
(458 posts)SS has ALWAYS been the sole the sole source of income for the poor elderly. SS was enacted in 1935. In 1940 only 3 million people were protected with a pension. Regardless of your fallacious argument(always used as an argument against raising SS benefits by repubilcans and conservatives and others) and public statements, the true intent was to keep the poor elderly from starving and it still does.
Zorro
(18,692 posts)SS was intended to augment other financial resources (savings, pensions, etc.) while providing an absolute source of funds for desperately poor elders. That being said, I think that SS benefits have not kept pace with the decades of inflation, just as the federal minimum wage has stagnated for the past 40 years. Both should be substantially higher.
Crazyleftie
(458 posts)Really?
Only 3 mil had any pension in 1940
Even back then very few people had any savings for retirement
Regardless of the hyperbole of "the intent of SS" it was indeed the intent provide support for retirement for the vast majority of people and in fact it did.
And it is the typical republican argument for not increasing benefits.
OneCrazyDiamond
(2,068 posts)They kinda aged people out of receiving benefits for very long, if at all.
OrangeJoe
(559 posts)Life expectancy is based on how long people live starting from birth. Back in the 1930s many more people died in childhood mainly due to diseases we now have vaccines for. The result was a lower life expectancy at birth of around 59 in 1930 to 79 today.
But that doesn't mean what many people think it means. It merely is the mathematical result that says of 100 births 50 of them will be dead 59 years later. Now if 10 of those people died before they entered the workforce they never contributed to the benefit pot, nor will they withdraw any money. Also since you lost 10 of your group before you even got out of the gate, you only need to lose 40 more and half the group is ghosts. The real thing you need to look at is life expectancy once people hit retirement age. This tells you what the drain is on the pot of money. And it hasn't changed all that much over time. It was 11.3 years in 1900 (half your pensioners would be dead by age 76). By 1999 it was 15.7 (half in the ground by 80+).
Backseat Driver
(4,671 posts)one has a family and the TPTB say, "Nothing personal, just business, bye-bye" in favor of you name it...There was method to the GOPs malicious madness of churn, deregulation, suppression, off-shoring and bank bail outs...I wasn't naïve enough to think those vaccine shots were free or a nice COLA would give me half-a-chance to stay in a relatively safe neighborhood rental. LOL! Is it any wonder that I don't do the appropriate sadness of grief and loss well...
TeamProg
(6,630 posts)of income.
It may well be these days, but that was not the intent.
Family units were closer in 1935. The elderly most often relied on their families to care for and house them, right?
CountAllVotes
(22,215 posts)I'd be on the street if it weren't for SS.
I was dx'd with MS in my late 30's. I went blind and couldn't work anymore.
Was that MY fault? I HAD an IRA but ...
WTF was I supposed to do? What I now have the great system in our country does all it can to take it away, everything.
I need some help around here. I'm getting old and have a demented even older spouse that is a veteran. WTF am I to do? I keep busting my ass trying to keep the house together.
Soon, the way things are going, I'll have to bail out of here.
Most of the disabled people I know do NOT enjoy the life you end up living and yes, it it most likely pennies more often than not. 
The rich pay more for Medicare. Too damn bad, that's all I have to say about that.
I'll gladly give them the extra $20 a month, gladly. One year my bills were close to $1 million and I damn near died!
So they can have their extra twenty bucks.
Response to Crazyleftie (Reply #25)
Prof. Toru Tanaka This message was self-deleted by its author.
NickB79
(20,356 posts)The "Minimum wage was never meant to be a liveable wage" kind of argument.
Skittles
(171,710 posts)Social Security is based on earnings and so may vary greatly
Guilded Lilly
(5,591 posts)queentonic
(244 posts)And of course this will mean a similar hike in profits for the billionaire club.
George II
(67,782 posts)JohnSJ
(98,883 posts)and the fall back mantra is “it is all the wealthy and corporations fault”
yaesu
(9,328 posts)the poor are in.
JohnSJ
(98,883 posts)conspiracy nonsense
Good try though
yaesu
(9,328 posts)surprised anyone on DU would be scrambling to defend "the rich"
George II
(67,782 posts)....weary.
"I missed my bus this morning" - because of the rich!
"The takeout restaurant forgot to include bread w/my dinner" - because of the rich!
"The Patriots lost last week" - because of the rich!
yaesu
(9,328 posts)heat on a class that has virtually destroyed everything good about this country.
JohnSJ
(98,883 posts)This is about social security and Medicare, not about your illusion that somehow the wealthy have something to do with the premium increase
However let me rant a little
It those self-identified progressives who refused to vote for Hillary in the 2016 general election over trump by either voting for Jill stein or not voting, and encouraging others to do the same we wouldn’t be where we are today
In those critical swing states Hillary lost by less than 1%, and Jill stein received 1% in those critical swing states
So if you are looking to blame anyone you better add them to the list why we lost the SC, most likely
for decades
wellst0nev0ter
(7,509 posts)just scraping by while suffering the slings and stones from the haters
myohmy2
(3,721 posts)...wow wee wow wow...
...
Marthe48
(23,175 posts)so the employment taxes meant to help fund SSA is much lower than it was earlier. I think I read that there used to be 10 or 12 employees for every retired individual. Now, it is like 4 to 1 or 2 to 1.
SS helped a lot of people, who might have gone without. Many of the people I know now who are eligible either wait to draw, or suppliment their income with jobs. And many people I knew didn't live long enough to even apply.
JohnSJ
(98,883 posts)Hillary in the 2016 general election over trump by either voting for Jill stein or not voting, and encouraging others to do the same we wouldn’t be where we are today
In those critical swing states Hillary lost by less than 1%, and Jill stein received 1% in those critical swing states
So if you are looking to blame anyone you better add them to the list why we lost the SC, most likely
for decades among other things
Marthe48
(23,175 posts)Except losing good paying jobs has been going on since reagan destroyed the air traffic control union.
JohnSJ
(98,883 posts)
Cobalt Violet
(9,976 posts)
monkeyman1
(5,109 posts)Born Free
(1,650 posts)I remember my late parents always complaining that every time SS gets an increase, Medicare premiums go up. The only difference is it is now me, and to those that regurgitate the line that Social Security was never meant to be the sole retirement source, I suggest you read the history of why Social Security was created. I told my wife to watch for the Medicare rates to go up, but I really did not expect it to go so high, Wow! It sure is going to get tough for some of the seniors that struggled with near minimum wage jobs. Democrats always brag about protecting the working poor but it seems they sell them out more than anything else.
PortTack
(35,820 posts)gab13by13
(32,321 posts)
House of Roberts
(6,525 posts)as the For Profit vultures Wal-Mart traditional Medicare right out of existence!
It "will consume the entire annual cost of living adjustment (COLA) of Social Security recipients with the very lowest benefits, of about $365 per month,"
I thought people in that low an income level qualified for Medicaid/Medicare, and thus paid little to nothing.
gab13by13
(32,321 posts)Traildogbob
(13,018 posts)MA is a scam to draw away seniors from Medicare to destroy it and make Advantage, Private, the only option. It has taken 40+- percent from the pool of money from premiums that finance Medicare. Medicare is also taking a huge hit from non Vaxers and the cost of Covid. Every single Republican plus Manchin and Sinema reject Medicare to negotiate Pharma for prescription costs. Just like SS, republicans have been hell bent on privatizing both and doing it by draining the pool of funds that run it.
I got stuck in Advantage by a scam agent not knowing it overrode Medicare. They rejected most every claim, and the VA was taking the hit. They helped me get out. It was a battle,
This increase is a Pharma scam to get their fingers on SS raise.
Republicans will blame this on Biden admin, and the senior vote will be gone. I think Pharma and GQP are both in bed with this to take back
Power. And again, we get screwed.
No worries, two weeks after Trump is reinstalled he will have the greatest health care, the likes we have never seen in history. And two weekend after that, on and on. On “Day One”. MAGAA!
gab13by13
(32,321 posts)like fewer choices of doctors. Fucking Joe Namath has to shill for it on TV the fucking loser.
Zorro
(18,692 posts)$0 monthly, most prescription drugs $0, covers everything Medicare A + B covers plus extras, annual out-of-pocket limits, great doctors and specialists. Don't quite understand all the hostility to Medicare Advantage plans.
gab13by13
(32,321 posts)Zorro
(18,692 posts)gab13by13
(32,321 posts)Zorro
(18,692 posts)1. Go with basic Medicare Part A and pay out-of-pocket for all additional medical expenses.
2. Pay the Medicare Part B monthly premium and pay out-of-pocket the 20% for medical expenses after Part B covers the other 80%, but be able to go to any doctor/facility that accepts Medicare Part B.
3. Pay the Medicare Part B monthly premium and select a Medicare Advantage plan with low/zero monthly premiums that include Parts A+B coverage, low/zero prescription drug prices, low doctor/specialist co-pays, and limits on annual out-of-pocket costs -- but be limited to in-network doctors/facilities except for emergencies.
4. Pay the Medicare Part B monthly premium, pay the Medicare Part D monthly premium to an insurance company (and pay out-of-pocket for prescription drugs until your deductible is reached), and pay a Medigap plan premium from an insurance company (estimated ~$4k annually for my wife and me, with future annual increases).
I see where Tom Hartmann is coming from -- insurance companies can game the system's risk assessments to their advantage -- and I agree that Part B should cover 100% vs. 80% of medical expenses, but until that time comes and Medicare is reformed/transformed into something that looks more like truly universal coverage, a Medicare Advantage plan for us is the best option. YMMV, but we're comfortable with our in-network doctors and state-of-the-art medical facilities.
KPN
(17,377 posts)plans at reasonable cost that don’t involve all of the pitfalls or threat to government-provided Medicare that Medicare Advantage does.
Edit: oops, you did mention this. You are right; the gap or supplemental insurance costs quite a bit, but you can also just risk the co-pays and go without anything but Part B or D. Medicare Advantage is not Medicare al all — it’s private insurance in place of Medicare that benefits from Medicare approved service prices. Medicare doesn’t have the constraints that MA imposes on the subscriber.
Educate yourself on this specific issue if you want to see Medicare or eventually universal or even a public-option health care system succeed. Medicare Advantage is all about undermining and privatizing government-provided Medicare.
Zorro
(18,692 posts)The Medigap Plan G costs for SoCal providers are all ~$4k range for my wife and me, in addition to having to pay for Part D premiums and prescription costs. And of course all the Medigap plans are offered by insurance companies.
KPN
(17,377 posts)— about $3800 for wife and I this year. No out of pockets, no referrals required for even physical therapy. Peace of mind expense really.
Zorro
(18,692 posts)The Medigap plans just seemed to be an unnecessary annual expense when compared to the MA plans available to us.
Our current MA plan has $10/$35 co-pays for PCP/specialist appointments with $3,399 max annual out-of-pocket costs. Prescription costs are minimal, with most only costing $0 (the one I do have to pay for is only $7.50 for a 90 day supply).
We just applied to change to a different MA plan that has $0/$10 co-pays for PCP/specialist appointments with $2,800 max annual out-of pocket costs. This plan seems to have some special affiliation with UC San Diego Health, which is our HMO.
We don't mind having to get approved PCP referrals to specialists, since that's pretty much automatic -- and it takes a few weeks to get an appointment anyway.
I know the argument is that MA plans undermine Medicare, but as I mentioned elsewhere the medical insurance companies are not going to go away even if Medicare evolves into something more comprehensive.
MOMFUDSKI
(7,080 posts)I have had a really hard time explaining to friends that tell me they only pay $260/month for their supplement plan that they must add the $135 or so the gubmint keeps from their SS check to that $260 to get what they are REALLY paying per month. I get the dumbest looks and have to splain over and over until they (maybe) get it. I go on to say to put that $395 (less the small dollar figure that they are actually spending for their Advantage Plan) in an envelope each month and, when you need to pay a $35 co-pay for a specialist take it from the envelope and tell me how much money is still in the envelope. At the end of the year you should have more than enough to blow it all next year on a Supp!
George II
(67,782 posts)...of how much they're talking about.
It's a documented fact that the medical insurance industry operates on a lower margin than most businesses in the United States, even the corner grocery store.
KPN
(17,377 posts)plenty of in network providers?)? Because you have a great Medicare Advantage Plan means others are wrong to be critical of it or to fear “privatization” of Medicare overall?
Zorro
(18,692 posts)My MA plan has $0 monthly premium with plenty of in-network providers, which appears to also be a common price/approach to MA plans in Florida. I'm curious about what the monthly premiums are for MA plans in other parts of the country.
I'm not saying others are wrong to criticize MA plans, but I am saying I don't quite understand the reflexive hostility to MA plans. It seems to me that any Medicare-for-All plans will most likely have to be serviced by insurance companies and not directly by the government; even the military's Tricare system contracts with health insurance companies to administer its programs.
KPN
(17,377 posts)I was 64 and looking at my options prior to enrolling in Medicare. At the time, doing just Plan B and D looked better than MA advantage from the standpoint of price and network providers. I ended up also getting supplemental insurance and have paid almost nothing out of pocket since. Plus I can go anywhere, to any provider, and don’t need referrals to see specialists.
Hoyt
(54,770 posts)So they must be doing something right for a lot of people.
KPN
(17,377 posts)are ubiquitously attractive or affordable for all.
DallasNE
(8,008 posts)The one negative is that I had to change doctors because my old doctors were not in the new plans network. I also had to change my pharmacy for the same reason.
left-of-center2012
(34,195 posts)I don't understand the hate for Medicare advantage.
BadgerKid
(5,004 posts)or so I read. (Just trying to read up on this topic.)
Rebl2
(17,740 posts)told me never go on Medicare Advantage because they won’t pay for the biologic drug I take.
gab13by13
(32,321 posts)that right!
Politicub
(12,328 posts)And have you seen the price of supplements lately? The generous Plan F is no longer available, and the others are out of reach for many seniors.
Sometimes MA is the only affordable option for many people. Yes, I know the arguments about how people have surprise costs and all that. It takes more work for Medicare enrollees to use their Advantage plans. But sometimes that’s the best choice.
Traditional Medicare without a supplement is a joke. There is no out of pocket maximum to protect people.
I want to see private insurance out of the Medicare business entirely.
dsc
(53,397 posts)In NC I don't think even the lowest level would qualify for Medicaid unless they had children.
thesquanderer
(13,006 posts)Although there will certainly be a lot of overlap in those two groups, they are not the same.
SS benefits are mostly based on how much you've paid in over your working life, and how old you were when you decided to start taking payments. Benefits don't correlate to income. Your current income level is usually not a factor, unless you start taking it early. So for example, if you're eligible for SS and currently have a high income level but, for whatever reason, never paid much into social security (e.g. had many lean years before finally making a lot of money later in life), you will have low benefits. And if you started takng SS early because you needed it, and then unexpectedly find yourself making a lot of money, you could find yourself receiving very low benefits because you no longer have a low income level.
So yes, through multiple mechanisms, it is possible for people to have low SS benefits but not low income level. Similarly, the reverse is possible... people can have low income level but qualify for no SS benefits (or max SS benefits, or something in between), depending on how much they paid in.
But you're right in that people in the lowest income levels can qualify for medicaid. So this increase in medicare premium won't affect them at all. And they'll still get whatever social security they're entitled to.
Taraman
(405 posts)
Goonch
(5,056 posts)
samplegirl
(13,984 posts)Why the hell don’t they protect seniors???
twodogsbarking
(18,783 posts)
retread
(3,922 posts)
Karma13612
(4,981 posts)LET MEDICARE NEGOTIATE DRUG PRICES
This is ridiculous! They say the COLA increase will “more than cover the MCR premium increase”. That isn’t solely why SS was increased! It’s not supposed to just barely cover MCR. The increase is to help with higher costs of food and household utilities. FFS
P.S. This is like when we would get a raise at work that barely covered the healthcare premium increase. THIS RIGHT HERE IS WHY THE MIDDLE CLASS NEVER EVER GETS AHEAD🤬
samplegirl
(13,984 posts)pazzyanne
(6,759 posts)Bingo!!!
Hammer meet nail! 
turbinetree
(27,549 posts)hay rick
(9,605 posts)If 90% of Americans and 70% of Republicans think Medicare should negotiate drug prices, the Republican Party will ignore them, knowing that they can get the voters they need to support them using dog whistles, no matter what they do on policy. When popular measures don't pass, the media reports public dissatisfaction with "congress," not with Republican obstruction.
Karma13612
(4,981 posts)Exactly.
Deminpenn
(17,506 posts)Far too many cases of garden-variety dementia or memory issues related to normal aging are being diagnosed as alzheimer's even though alzheimer's cannot be diagnosed until after death and some people who had the "telltale placques and tangles" showed no cognitive decline at all.
More cases of alzheimer's means more demand for expensive alzheimer's drugs regardless of their actual effectiveness.
Laurian
(2,593 posts)Big Pharma strikes again.
Klaralven
(7,510 posts)dalton99a
(94,115 posts)The latest exit comes from Dr. Aaron Kesselheim, a professor at Harvard Medical School who is also director of the Program On Regulation, Therapeutics, And Law at Brigham and Women's Hospital. He said the FDA is greenlighting Aduhelm despite not having enough proof that the drug will help Alzheimer's patients.
Kesselheim called the FDA move "probably the worst drug approval decision in recent U.S. history" in a scathing resignation letter he sent to acting FDA Commissioner Janet Woodcock on Thursday.
10 of the committee's 11 members voted against the drug's approval, according to the STAT medical news site, which added that the final member voted "uncertain."
https://www.npr.org/2021/06/11/1005567149/3-experts-have-resigned-from-an-fda-committee-over-alzheimers-drug-approval
DallasNE
(8,008 posts)Said that the reason for approval was based on a measurable reduction in plaque, which is associated with the stages of the disease. The thinking was that anything that slows the buildup in plaque has to improve the outcome. But that assumes that plaque is the only determanent of outcome. I would look more to whether it has a statistical impact on the speed with which the brain decreases in volume. But then I am not a doctor.
Grasswire2
(13,849 posts)5.1 million Americans are currently said to have the disease/condition.
This treatment costs $45,000?
And so all Medicare recipients premiums go up because of this one issue?
Aren't uncountable other conditions denied some meds/procedures due to expense? There are plenty of things that Medicare will not pay for. Mental health care, for one!
Why is this one disease given pre-eminence over the many more millions who do not have Alzheimer's but might have some other condition/illness for which coverage is denied????
twodogsbarking
(18,783 posts)of course you need Medicare C but should have bought Medicare D too.
You also need a separate prescription plan than you have no fucking idea
what will be covered. Also needed is a vision plan that will never pay more
than what you pay in premiums and a dental plan that promises to cover
everything but neglects to tell you it only covers five percent of the lowest
cost dentist on earth. Simple, eh.
bucolic_frolic
(55,139 posts)Just a couple years ago it was $50 less
They can't even find a way to cap Part B at $125 for SS under $500 a month? This is obscene.
gab13by13
(32,321 posts)to take away all of the SS increase.
...count on it...
...
Habibi
(3,605 posts)“The annual deductible for all Medicare Part B beneficiaries is $233 in 2022, an increase of $30 from the annual deductible of $203 in 2021.”
https://www.cms.gov/newsroom/fact-sheets/2022-medicare-parts-b-premiums-and-deductibles2022-medicare-part-d-income-related-monthly-adjustment
Lonestarblue
(13,480 posts)From the articles at the time, there was a lot of controversy, and I think one FDA commissioner resigned over it. The drug tests showed very little benefit, and it is hugely expensive. This increase will certainly add to the inflation woes that poor people are already experiencing.
The FDA rewards drug companies with this approval. Meanwhile, they refuse to make birth control pills annover-the-counter product and it’s safer than many OTC products. The only reason for that decision, which was made years ago, is religion, not health.
myohmy2
(3,721 posts)...Joe had better do something about this...
...we not only didn't get our Vision, Dental and Hearing we thought we would get but instead we got fucked out of what little we did have...
...if you think the American people are going to 'forgive and forget' you're fuckin' crazy...
...forget about the congress in 2022 and can you say president trump?
...unbelievable...
Will destroy Biden over this. And, they are in bed with Pharma to do just that. They want Advantage to fully consume Government Medicare by taking away premiums from the pool. And care for unvaxxed Is sucking the pool dry. Look at all the commercials destroying even the thought of drug negotiations. Gods plane for the world can’t hold a candle to GQPs plan to own the world.
myohmy2
(3,721 posts)^^^^^...THIS
...unbelievable...
Bayard
(29,689 posts)Seniors are the biggest voting bloc, and this will be a major campaign issue.
yaesu
(9,328 posts)twodogsbarking
(18,783 posts)gab13by13
(32,321 posts)it is easy to navigate for me and for when it pays my bill. I have an on line site I go to plus I get a paper trail.
twodogsbarking
(18,783 posts)George II
(67,782 posts)honest.abe
(9,238 posts)I just turned 65 last year and still working so I had the choice to buy Part B or not. I got confused because it said something about being penalized later if I dont take it now. So I accepted it and then found out later I could have denied Part B if I had coverage from my job which I do. So I had to write a letter (yes an actual letter) to verify I wanted out of Part B and thus stop the deductions from my paycheck. The other thing I am confused about is Medicare Advantage. I read every comment on recent DU post about MA and I am still not sure if its bad or good. The other thing I need to figure out is that fact that Im probably retiring overseas and how I am going to deal with health insurance in a foreign country since Medicare is not accepted outside US territory and whether or not to continue paying Medicare Part B premiums in case we come back to US.
Perhaps not as complicated as Quantum Physics but clearly complicated and confusing for older folks who were hoping to relax more in the later years and not have to worry so much about health insurance.
twodogsbarking
(18,783 posts)honest.abe
(9,238 posts)In fact I thought that was how it worked before I began investigating as got closer to 65.
twodogsbarking
(18,783 posts)So I have been paying in since the beginning. Still paying and retired.
jaxexpat
(7,794 posts)* FDA should never approve a drug that has not been price negotiated by Medicare/Medicaid
* a 14.5% increase on $148.50 is $170.03
* a 4.9% increase in gross SS income is greater than the Medicare increase unless your current SS net is less than $216.50
* if the parameters of the OP have any basis in fact, the SS administration determined the COL increase based on a net zero effect of
the Medicare increase on the lowest SS recipients' net income. (Or is it merely coincidence? key sinister music) In any case this is still
the biggest SS net $ increase in, at least, 4 years.
* Media narration of news, especially with numbers, is an intentional word salad meant to excite the basal ganglia.
* that's because news people sniff too much hair spray.
...170.03-148.50=21.53
...if you make, 1600*.059=94.40
...if you make, 800*.059=47.20
...47.20-21.53=25.67
...sad, isn't it...
...those who need it the most get hit the hardest...
...half their cola rubbed out...
...have to look for a sale on cat food...
...what a country...
George II
(67,782 posts)
Deuxcents
(26,915 posts)Food, gas, utilities, etc all have increases. My HOA dues will increase 5%. My meds will go up. So, yes. We get a bump but it’s already spoken for before the first payment comes. Happy to have it but it’s already gone.
Maggiemayhem
(890 posts)The republicans are winning and controlling all the levers of. government.Biden should fire people that are not loyal to the US. Every time something good happens something something worse than anything imagined happens. Bannon and his followers want to tear down the USA, never forget that.
DallasNE
(8,008 posts)This article is loaded with right wing messaging. How much of this increase would be necessay if the provision to negotiate drug prices would have been left in the bill - something Manchin vetoed to protect his daughter. This is not the fault of Biden. It is the fault of Republicans with a good deal of help from 2 Democrats. That is what this article should be complaining about. Cause and effect.
Hoyt
(54,770 posts)Drugs are only about 10% of total Medicare budget.
JohnSJ
(98,883 posts)that much because it isn’t particularly effective, and sales have been very low. The drug costs 56000 per year per patient.
https://www.npr.org/sections/health-shots/2021/11/08/1052833252/cost-and-controversy-are-limiting-use-of-new-alzheimers-drug
I think the large increase could be reasonably assigned to the pandemic, and the 30% of the population who still refuse the vaccine or taking precautions such as mask wearing, where the older population is most vulnerable
KPN
(17,377 posts)about the long-term GOP strategy to undermine government public services and benefits by essentially “defunding” them in an effort to make government look inept and inefficient.
That’s all that it is as far as it’s root cause. Unfortunately, it has the support of some conservative Democrats who somehow, almost magically really, fit under our “big tent”. We need some qualifiers placed on that big tent as what constitutes a Democrat.
left-of-center2012
(34,195 posts)Nor is it a ‘right wing attack’ ~ it's just the facts.
“Each year the Medicare Part B premium, deductible, and coinsurance rates are determined according to the Social Security Act.”
https://www.cms.gov/newsroom/fact-sheets/2022-medicare-parts-b-premiums-and-deductibles2022-medicare-part-d-income-related-monthly-adjustment
DallasNE
(8,008 posts)I see what you put in bold being repeated in GOP attack ads starting next week, driving a stake into the heart of Medicare for all efforts. Plus, Maggie Fox looks to have a history of putting a negative spin in all of her reporting as she was negative with Trump as well. Bothsidesism.
left-of-center2012
(34,195 posts).
ForgoTheConsequence
(5,186 posts)...
JohnSJ
(98,883 posts)it isn’t particularly effective, but if it is, that is 56,000 per year cost per patient, and that comes out of Medicare Part B. That being said, Biogen has reported very low sales of Aduhelm, so the premium increase may have been a result of them estimating a far greater use than is actually occurring.
However, the pandemic, and those who still refuse to be vaccinated, are a significant cost on the system, and that older Americans are the most vulnerable, that makes sense
malthaussen
(18,567 posts)Because we want Grandpa to hurry up and die already.
-- Mal
left-of-center2012
(34,195 posts)This has nothing to do with Biden
Nor is it a ‘right wing attack’ ~ it's just the facts.
“Each year the Medicare Part B premium, deductible, and coinsurance rates are
determined according to the Social Security Act.”
https://www.cms.gov/newsroom/fact-sheets/2022-medicare-parts-b-premiums-and-deductibles2022-medicare-part-d-income-related-monthly-adjustment
myohmy2
(3,721 posts)...but most people I know don't pay that much attention or give a shit about the legalese mumbo-jumbo...
...all they're concern about is what it takes to survive each month...
...I think I'm a pretty good Dem and now I have to try to defend this shit to family, friends and neighbors...?
...how can I defend this shit when it's just shit...?
...unbelievable...
left-of-center2012
(34,195 posts)It's a news article which states the facts of the increase.
I don't think anyone likes the increase.
It's simply a news story. 
quote:
"now I have to try to defend this shit to family, friends and neighbors...?"
Where'd you get that from? 
myohmy2
(3,721 posts)...family, friends, neighbors, Americans are hardcore Dems...
...trump and his pukes will make the most of this and they have an uncanny ability to convince average disgruntled Americans to vote the puke way, to vote stupid...
...and you don't think they're not going to make the most of this...?
...how would you convince someone who's barely making ends meet to vote Dem in 2022 when they now can't make ends meet?
...this is on our watch, we have to do something...
...it may not be Joe's fault, but they'll be looking to Joe to fix it...
...unbelievable...
left-of-center2012
(34,195 posts)Bye
KPN
(17,377 posts)I’m sure there will be many other seniors screaming about this come Monday as well.
Don’t know how this got released late Friday. Did the WH know? If so, I’m disappointed. How can Democrats let this happen in the midst of calling fir Medicare expansion? This is self-defeating, self-sabotage in that regard by playing right into the long-standing GOP strategy to undermine government services by “defunding” them to the point they are inefficient and fail.
Who was responsible for approving and releasing this late Friday?
LogicFirst
(594 posts)
sarcasmo
(23,968 posts)honest.abe
(9,238 posts)The thing that bothers me the most is that one drug for a single condition can have so much impact on this.
left-of-center2012
(34,195 posts)My rent's based on my income.
Social Security goes up ~ my rent goes up.
LastLiberal in PalmSprings
(13,291 posts)
After all,these men serve as examples to the rest of us what can be earned with hard work.
I'm living on SS and Medicare, and rents are going sky high across the nation, but I agree with Joe Manchin -- corporations and the very rich shouldn't have to pay a single cent in taxes that be used to improve the lives of the rest of the country because -- you know -- freedom. As long as they get to wave the flag, open carry their guns, and "own the libs" people will vote against their interests.
We are the richest country in the world, but because of Manchin and the rest of the Repugs we're near the bottom of the list in every category -- education, healthcare, infant mortality, income security, cost of housing, etc. We're really high on the number of people who refuse to get their shots (the euphemistically named "vaccine hestitant"
, though we have enough vaccine to ensure everyone is protected.
yaesu
(9,328 posts)
Inflation and high prices for things like food and gas is reason enough.
As for Medicare Part B increase, that’s another reason for health care reform.
GoneOffShore
(18,021 posts)orangecrush
(30,260 posts)If I could move to Canada, I'd be long gone a long time ago.
EndlessWire
(8,103 posts)"The federal government announced a large hike in Medicare premiums Friday night, blaming the pandemic but also what it called uncertainty over how much it may have to be forced to pay for a pricey and controversial new Alzheimer's drug."
Whatever you say...My brother taught me decades ago that whenever the Government gives you one thing, they'll come along and take two away. This has always proven true. Wait for more loss to take away the gain.
I ask you, how is this iffy move going to help Midterms? The reasons given above don't pass the smell test. It smells like appeasement to me. We The People appreciate truthfulness. "A pricey and controversial new Alzheimer's drug." Oh, come on, you don't even know how much it costs? I call BS.
Backseat Driver
(4,671 posts)making a LW&T? Just allow the State of residence to have it all as TPTB are clearly planning, just NOT TODAY as they might stand to gain a bit more if we survive a bit longer?
At the kid's insistence, we've got an appointment to update and/or amend our individual LW&T/last wishes. Perhaps I should have a DNA test prior to completing last wishes to include other Advanced Directives about any "new" and expensive life-saving pharmaceuticals etc. It's easier to meet the criteria for making a will than meeting those for the only legal suicide now allowed - VSED though I feel certain there are loopholes for entering palliative and hospice, yes? What use any strategy at all as most of us have had or will have issues of late effects of diet, inadequate physical activity, and other immunocompromised pre-existing diagnoses? OK, moving on, give early gifts at the earliest moment on mostly inexpensive consumer-type saleable household assets for the 5-year look-back for which we'd still likely not end up on Medicaid? and decide upon current pet care if...you never know, right? Also, our state has a coded "financial responsibility" clause; I've read that the state rarely enforces it - I've told the kids never to put their names on my paperwork but they might have need of GoFundMe crowdfunding. Not picky about burial - fast, cheap - don't expect many would like to memorialize, either; thereafter why would this energy "twinkle" returning to the same changed piece of energy "twinkle" care?
Then, the next problem - Open Enrollment - and an expert independent advisor? Then: It's why I really need my car fixed or I'll miss the opportunity of "the Great Resignation, the previous reason why 75-year-old people are still working a FT job though, and I suppose it's prideful" to say I really tried to exercise empathy, compassion, and responsibility to and for our own kids, but still, with good boundaries, at future generational detriment beyond one's control; to be sure there must have been/be fatal flaws in some of all our adult choices regardless of the satisfaction and joys for which I am most grateful.
One sure can't avoid all toxic elements of human life; hence that cliche' is true enough: "No good deed goes unpunished." Evidently, willingly ignorant ones are more worthy of second and third benefit of the doubt" so I think we'll take the opportunity to buy some ice cream full of carbs, fats, chocolate, and unpronounceable additives and consume it while watching TV on the sofa. It's my weekend, after all; but not his...
Just taking best practice advice to have those ducks in a row! Have I missed anything?
Mysterian
(6,486 posts)and give everybody free health care.
Hoyt
(54,770 posts)Mysterian
(6,486 posts)after you cut out the profiteering insurance companies.
Hoyt
(54,770 posts)Mysterian
(6,486 posts)That should cover the rest.
Cryptoad
(8,254 posts)they going to make all the disable old folk pay ,,,,,,sounds abt right
airplaneman
(1,386 posts)He is a compassionate and intelligent broker who cares.
Worth the watch. Very educational.
-Airplaneman
moniss
(9,056 posts)the phrasing "big hike" from CNN is pure propaganda. The premiums have been fairly stable for some time and to see an increase of 14.5% is minor (especially considering what's gone on the last almost 2 years) compared to private health insurance companies premium increases that have been going at more than twice that for some time. CNN wants to have something to bash Biden for. The same way that you hear politicians (even some from our side) talk about how the infrastructure bill(s) are needed in order to "put people back to work". They peddle that line of twaddle after having just reported that the unemployment rate is down to 4.6%. Anybody who follows this subject knows very well (unless they are peddling bias) that a figure in that range has historically always been considered full employment in the country. We certainly need infrastructure work and program/policy changes and we certainly need better paying jobs but that is not what is being conveyed by the phrasing. The words chosen do matter. Yes lots of people have quit etc. but those are topics to speak of specifically and in detail. They are ill served by media/so called analysts/political guests buying into a phrasing that makes it sound like the economy is in the ditch with huge lines at the unemployment office.
When people talk about the MA policy they have and how much they love it let's see how much they love it if something serious and long term happens to them and then the insurance company simply rejects paying the claim or parts of the claim. All kinds of people can tell about their experiences with being told that this and this and this and on and on are not "covered services", "necessary treatments", "usual and customary services/charged amounts", "approved/authorized treatments" and the list of weasel words and phrases goes on forever.
left-of-center2012
(34,195 posts)"an increase of 14.5% is minor"
"the phrasing 'big hike' from CNN is pure propaganda"
...........................................................................................
Most people on Medicare are disabled and/or elderly,
many on 'fixed incomes'.
So no, an increase of 14.5% in the cost of Medicare in one year is not 'minor',
and it is a big hike --- not 'propaganda'.
moniss
(9,056 posts)speak as though it's hundreds of dollars per month. It is about $20.00 and is largely offset by the SS increase. It is propaganda because CNN certainly hasn't had any reporting lately using negative terminology about private insurance/employer based premium hikes and those have been way more money. I am fully aware of who Medicare recipients are since I am one. Don't assume that I don't know. If you would not try to read in to what I wrote you might be able to correctly say to yourself " Oh I see what he is saying. It is not a big hike in comparison to other insurance hikes and therefore since CNN is only hammering a negative word about this hike and not the others does show an agenda and a clear use of a classic propaganda technique." That technique is purposely selecting words/phrasing in such a way as to amplify a desired negative impression while at the same time omitting or failing to use the same words/phrasing for virtually similar products/policies/situations.
As far as fixed income goes the same issues come up with any and all expenses. The difference is that the government has programs to help those on low fixed incomes deal with the increased premium for Medicare. Private industry on the other hand not so much. I have helped people on fixed incomes over the years navigate and obtain all the possible assistance and benefits they can from every possible source. If you do not already do this for people then I suggest that you do since it would be a constructive way forward for you to help with concerns over those on fixed incomes.
left-of-center2012
(34,195 posts)Bye-bye
PlanetBev
(4,412 posts)that was the signal that Medicare was going to go up. Can’t let those old folks get too far ahead of themselves.
Bastards…. 
Cryptoad
(8,254 posts)yet each and every month, i have to make decide abt how much to spend on food or spend on Meds,,,,,,,, I guess after this I will have decide whether have any Medicare insurance at all.... looks like my "end days" are going to be a lot closer than they were......
CountAllVotes
(22,215 posts)I mention above that I rang-up in hospital dollars close to $1 million in 2009/10.
The hospital didn't realize I had supplemental insurance and billed as if I had part A only.
Had I only had part A Medicare, the bills were sent to me as such. They came to about $2,000.00 total that I was asked to pay being they were unaware that I have the costly supplemental plan that I still have today.
Bengus81
(10,165 posts)CountAllVotes
(22,215 posts)The more you have the more you pay.
However, most people aren't paying $500.00+ for Part B Medicare.