CRS publishes report on Part B premiums

R40082
Medicare: Part B Premiums
December 29, 2008

Medicare beneficiaries have out-of-pocket cost-sharing requirements that differ according to theservices hey receive. Physician and outpatient services provided under Part B are financedthrough a combination of beneficiary premiums, deductibles, and federal general revenues. Ingeneral, Part B beneficiary premiums equal 25% of estimated program costs for the aged, withfederal general revenues accounting for the remaining 75%.The disabled pay the same premiumas the aged. Beginning in 2007, higher-income enrollees paid a higher percentage of Part B costs.The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS, the agency that administers Medicare)estimated that approximately 4% of beneficiaries would pay a higher premium in 2007, and 5%would pay a higher premium in 2008 and 2009.

Get it here: http://opencrs.cdt.org/document/R40082