In an unprecedented move, HHS asks officials to consider lowering this year’s Medicare premiums – Washington Post January 10, 2022

I saw this recently on the Washington Post – In an unprecedented move, HHS asks officials to consider lowering this year’s Medicare premiums: https://www.washingtonpost.com/health/2022/01/10/medicare-premium-increase-reviewed/. Longer article.

By Amy Goldstein January 10, 2022

The nation’s top health official Monday directed Medicare to consider lowering the premium for the part of the program that covers visits to the doctor and other care outside hospitals. It marked the first time the vast federal health insurance system for older Americans and those with disabilities has rethought the monthly amount patients pay after a change has gone into effect.

Health and Human Services Secretary Xavier Becerra gave the instructions to the Centers for Medicare and Medicare Services (CMS), the agency that oversees the program, saying a review of the Part B premium is needed because of a price drop in a controversial Alzheimer’s drug that Medicare does not yet pay for but might begin covering soon.

Becerra’s directive comes just days before the agency is due to decide preliminarily whether to include the drug, Aduhelm, among the roster of medicines that Medicare covers. The Food and Drug Administration approved the drug in June, despite considerable dispute over whether there is enough evidence that it is effective.

–snip–