Medicare Premium Hike Will Help Build ‘Contingency Fund’ For Alzheimer’s Drugs

But CMS cautions that the announcement should not be read as a preview of its upcoming national Medicare coverage decision on Aduhelm and similar treatments.

Big Drug Expenses Ahead For Medicare? • Source: Alamy

The Medicare Part B standard monthly premium will increase $21.60 to $170.10 in 2022, an unprecedented spike in dollar terms, due to factors including the need to set aside reserves to potentially pay for Biogen, Inc.'s and Eisai Co., Ltd.’s high-cost Alzheimer’s drug, Aduhelm, and similar treatments, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services announced 12 November.

Part B premiums will increase 14.5% in 2022, far outstripping earlier estimates. Deductibles will rise by a similar percentage, from...

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