What is the Medicare Part B premium?
The Part B premium is the monthly amount paid by individuals for health coverage in Medicare Part B - a voluntary program that covers physician services, hospital outpatient care, durable medical equipment and other services including some home health care. The vast majority (about 93 percent) of Medicare beneficiaries are enrolled in Part B. Most individuals have the premium for their Part B coverage deducted from their Social Security, Railroad Retirement, or Federal government retirement checks.
How much is the Medicare Part B premium?
The 2012 standard premium for Medicare Part B health coverage is $99.90. However, higher income beneficiaries are required to pay more, as shown in the following chart.
Beneficiaries who file an individual tax return with income
|
Beneficiaries who file a joint tax return with income
|
Total monthly premium amount
|
|
Less than or equal to $85,000
|
Less than or equal to $170,000
|
$99.90
|
|
Greater than $85,000 and less than
or equal to $107,000
|
Greater than $170,000 and less than
or equal to $214,000
|
$139.90
|
|
Greater than $107,000 and less than
or equal to $160,000
|
Greater than $214,000 and less than
or equal to $320,000
|
$199.80
|
|
Greater than $160,000 and less than
or equal to $214,000
|
Greater than $320,000 and less than
or equal to $428,000
|
$259.70
|
|
Greater than $214,000
|
Greater than $428,000
|
$319.70
|
What determines the amount of the Part B premium?
The standard Medicare Part B premium is determined by a formula contained in the 1997 Balanced Budget Act, which set the premium at 25 percent of total program costs. The remaining 75 percent of program costs are financed through general revenues. The Medicare Modernization Act of 2003 (MMA) requires higher-income beneficiaries to pay a higher percentage of program costs, resulting in multiple tiers of premiums based on income.
Why does the Medicare Part B premium increase every year?
Part B premiums have increased over the years because the premium formula is tied to the rising cost of health care. However, to provide a basic level of protection from rapidly accelerating health care costs, a "hold harmless" provision in the Social Security Act mandates that the Part B premium increase not exceed any beneficiary's cost-of-living adjustment (COLA) in their Social Security check. As a result, the net amount of the individual's Social Security check does not decrease.
Government Relations and Policy, February, 2012
The National Committee is a nonprofit, nonpartisan organization that acts in the interests of its membership through advocacy, education, services, grassroots efforts and the leadership of the board of directors and professional staff. The work of the National Committee is directed toward developing a secure retirement for all Americans.