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RRB: Medicare Part B premiums to increase slightly in 2013
(Source: U.S. Railroad Retirement Board press release, November 26, 2012)
CHICAGO — The standard Medicare Part B monthly premium will be $104.90 in January 2013, an increase of $5.00 from the 2012 amount of $99.90.
Some beneficiaries will continue to pay higher premiums based on their modified adjusted gross income. The monthly premiums that include income-related adjustments for 2013 will be $146.90, $209.80, $272.70, or $335.70, depending on the extent to which an individual beneficiary’s modified adjusted gross income exceeds $85,000 (or $170,000 for a married couple). The highest premium rate applies to beneficiaries whose incomes exceed $214,000 (or $428,000 for a married couple). The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services estimates that about 5 percent of Medicare beneficiaries pay the larger income-adjusted premiums.
Beneficiaries in Medicare Part D prescription drug coverage plans pay premiums that vary from plan to plan. Beginning in 2011, the Affordable Care Act required Part D beneficiaries whose modified adjusted gross income exceeds the same income thresholds that apply to Part B premiums to also pay a monthly adjustment amount. These beneficiaries will pay the regular plan premium to their Part D plan and will pay the income-related adjustment to the Railroad Retirement Board (RRB). In 2013, the adjustment amount ranges from $11.60 to $66.60.
The RRB withholds Part B premiums from benefit payments it processes. The agency can also withhold Part C and D premiums from benefit payments if an individual submits a request to his or her Part C or D insurance plan. The RRB also collects Part D income-related adjustment amounts, but must bill the enrollee as the agency is currently unable to withhold these amounts from benefit payments.
The tables provided on the RRB website show the income-related premium adjustments for 2013. The Social Security Administration (SSA) is responsible for all income-related monthly adjustment amount determinations. To make the determinations, SSA uses the most recent tax return information available from the IRS. For 2013, in most cases that will be the beneficiary’s 2011 tax return information. If that information is not available, SSA will use information from the 2010 tax return.
Those railroad retirement and social security Medicare beneficiaries affected by the 2013 Part B and D income-related premiums will receive a notice from SSA by December 2012. The notice will include an explanation of the circumstances where a beneficiary may request a new determination. Persons who have questions or would like to request a new determination should contact SSA after receiving their notice.
Additional information about Medicare coverage, including specific benefits and deductibles, can be found at www.medicare.gov.
Monday, January 14, 2013
© 1997-2013 Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers and Trainmen
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