Close
Open Enrollment ends on Dec. 7! Download the free guide to help weigh coverage options. 

News

70 National Organizations Urge Congress to Act on 2016 Part B Premium and Deductible Hikes

September 30, 2015  
•  Press Releases

70 National Organizations Urge Congress to Act on 2016 Part B Premium and Deductible Hikes

Washington, DC—Today, 70 leading organizations representing people with Medicare, health insurers, workers, federal employees, and more sent a letter to key Congressional committees urging swift action to shield older adults, people with disabilities, and state Medicaid programs from anticipated increases in Medicare Part B premiums and the Part B deductible in 2016.

Joe Baker, President of the Medicare Rights Center, said, “Congress must act quickly to halt expected increases in Part B costs for 30 percent of people with Medicare. Without a fix, Part B premiums will increase to $159 per month for select beneficiaries, and the Part B deductible will rise to $223 for all people with Medicare.”

Older adults and people with disabilities affected by the projected premium increase include new Medicare enrollees, individuals not collecting Social Security benefits, beneficiaries already paying higher premiums, and people with both Medicare and Medicaid (state Medicaid programs will bear this cost). The anticipated hike in the Part B deductible will impact all beneficiaries, most significantly affecting those who lack adequate supplemental coverage.

Baker continued, “Older adults and people with disabilities cannot shoulder these unprecedented increases, especially those living on low- and fixed incomes. Half of all people with Medicare are living on annual incomes of $24,150 or less. We urge members of Congress to heed this call to action from leading voices across the health care sector.”

Read the letter

–end–

Media Inquiries
If you are a member of the press, please contact us for all inquiries or to be added to our press list.

pressoffice@medicarerights.org
Recent News
Medicare Rights in the News
February 24, 2024  
•  CBS News New York
Medicare Rights in the News
February 4, 2024  
•  The New York Times
Medicare Rights in the News
November 26, 2023  
•  Verywell Health
Medicare Rights in the News
October 19, 2023  
•  South Florida Sun Sentinel
About Medicare Rights
The Medicare Rights Center, a national nonprofit consumer service organization that works to ensure access to affordable health care for older adults and people with disabilities.

Learn More