2016 Medicare rates offer relief for states

Next year’s Medicare Part B premiums announced this week by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services will not increase from this year at $104.90/month for most beneficiaries due to both slow spending growth and federal funding. Medicare Part B funds physician and hospital outpatient care. There will be a modest $28 increase for beneficiaries in the Medicare Part A deductible and small increases in coinsurance of less than $10. As states pay all or part of those Medicare Part B premiums for people eligible for both Medicare and Medicaid, states will share in those savings. Across the US, states will save $1.8 billion next year. For state by state savings in the ERC region, see below.