Health and Human Services Secretary, Xavier Becerra, announced on Monday that he is instructing Centers For Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) staff members to reassess this year’s standard Part B premium. The price of Medicare Part B jumped from $148.50 to $170.10 in 2022.
The reason? Aduhelm-a new drug, designed specifically to target Alzheimer’s disease, is driving up the cost of Part B. It was scheduled to cost $56,000 per patient, per year, but the Medicare price estimate has now been cut in half.
Medicare Part D usually provides prescription drug coverage, but Aduhelm is administered in a doctor’s office, so it will be covered under Part B.
CMS is required by law to set each year’s Part B premium at 25% of estimated costs. For 2022, the agency had accounted for Aduhelm in their calculations. With the reduced price for Aduhelm, experts believe they may be able to get the part B premium reduced.
Senior65.com will keep you updated should Part B premiums decrease after the formal CMS review.
UPDATE 6/1/2022: According to CNBC: Becerra announced that any savings on Medicare Part B premiums would not be realized until 2023. Source