Five changes to Medicare that will affect Americans in 2022
'26.01.2022'
Nurgul Sultanova-Chetin
More than 60 million Americans rely on Medicare to get health insurance. And in 2022, they will see some significant changes to the program. Chief among them is the largest increase in Medicare premiums in history. Money Talks News. However, this is not all bad news, as beneficiaries are also gaining access to new services and increased savings opportunities.
Significantly higher Part B premium - yet
The biggest news this year for Medicare beneficiaries is that monthly Part B premiums have jumped.
The standard monthly premium for Part B increased by $21,60, from $148,50 to $170,10. At 14,5%, it's not the highest percentage increase in history—growths in 2005, 2010, and 2016 topped it—but $21,60 is the biggest increase in dollar terms.
On the subject: 10.01.2022/XNUMX/XNUMX Free health insurance in New York: who is entitled to it and under what conditions
Almost half of this growth is the result of the use of the new drug Adugelm. It has been approved for the treatment of Alzheimer's disease. The drug originally cost $56 for one year of treatment, but on January 000, the price dropped by 1%. As a result, the federal Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) have been asked to reassess their Medicare Part B premium in 50.
Depending on the results of the CMS review, Medicare recipients may receive good news about the premium reduction.
Higher deductions
The Part B premium isn't the only Medicare fee to go up in 2022. Part B annual deductions increased by $30 to $233. And Part A deductions increased by $72 to $1556.
A deduction is the amount of money a person must spend out of pocket before their insurance plan starts to cover the costs. Part A charges apply to inpatient hospital care, and Part B charges apply to outpatient services.
More Mental Health Options
Mental health can be just as important as physical health. Medicare is giving beneficiaries a new way to get services in 2022.
Beginning this year, the state insurance program will cover mental health services provided through telehealth, including audio-only phone calls. This covers the diagnosis, evaluation and treatment of mental disorders.
В press releaseannouncing the change, CMS administrator Chiquita Brooks-Lasur says:
“The COVID-19 pandemic has exposed the gaps in our current healthcare system and the need for new solutions to treat patients wherever they are. This is especially true for people who need mental health services. The improvements we are making will give people greater access to telemedicine and other care options.”
More access to physician assistant services
Physician assistants can perform many of the same functions as physicians, including diagnosing diseases, prescribing drugs, and developing and managing treatment plans. But until this year they could not receive direct payments from Medicare. This will change in 2022 and should open doors for Medicare recipients to have greater access to healthcare professionals.
More ways to save money on insulin
If you do not use an insulin pump, you will pay 100% of the cost of insulin through Original Medicare. The program is one of the two main types of Medicare coverage. However, the Part D Senior Savings Model is one way to cut those costs. More companies will join the program in 2022.
Medicare beneficiaries who are enrolled in participating Medicare Advantage plans (the other main type of Medicare coverage) or Part D plans can see their insulin costs drop to $35 a month. Those enrolled in the Extra Help program may have other costs.
More than 500 Medicare Advantage and Part D plans and two additional insulin manufacturers have joined the Part D Senior Savings Model this year. This brings the total number of participating plans to more than 2100. It also provides more opportunities for seniors who use insulin to save money.
