The average Original Medicare Part B premium cost of $170.10 per month, an increase of $21.60 compared to 2021. That’s nearly a 15% increase if you’re paying the standard premium.
As always, if your income decreases, your premium may be reduced. Things get a little more complicated if you fall under one of the following special situations:
Is Your Part B Premium Automatically Deducted from Your Social Security? By law, Medicare cannot cause you to receive less in Social Security benefits than you did last year. However, Social Security benefits will increase by 5.9% in 2022, and so your increased Social Security payments will likely go towards your Part B premium.
Are You Receiving Aid to Pay for Part B? You’ll have to check with your aid provider if your Medicare Part B premium is paid for with government or non-profit help, but the new year shouldn’t cause a significant change in your benefits.
Is Your Medicare Part B Premium More Than $170.10 Per Month? The income-related monthly adjustment amount (or IRMAA) requires high earners to pay more than the standard Medicare Part B premium cost of $170.10 per month.
High-income surcharges are based on your tax return from two years ago. In 2022, taxpayers who report income of over $91,000 (or $182,000 if filing jointly) pay more monthly.
If your 2019 tax return no longer reflects your current situation, you can contact Social Security to ask for a lower premium. You must show that you are experiencing one of eight life-changing events (marriage, divorce, death of a spouse, work stoppage, work reduction, loss of income-producing property, loss of pension income, employer settlement payment) recognized by Social Security in order to qualify.
Are You Enrolled in Medicare Advantage (Part C)? Although each Medicare Advantage plan is different, the government has announced that monthly Medicare Advantage premiums will drop to $19 per month in 2022.
