Under the Inflation Reduction Act, some people with Medicare will pay less for some Part B drugs because the drug’s price increased faster than the rate of inflation.
The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), through the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS), today announced that some Medicare enrollees will pay less for 64 drugs available through Medicare Part B. The drugs will have a lowered Part B coinsurance rate from January 1, 2025 – March 31, 2025, since drug companies raised prices for each of these 64 drugs faster than the rate of inflation. Over 853,000 people with Medicare use these drugs annually to treat conditions such as cancer, osteoporosis, and substance use disorder. Since April 1, 2023, people with Medicare have seen savings on over 120 drugs thanks to Inflation Reduction Act’s Medicare Prescription Drug Inflation Rebate Program.
Originally published 3/30/18; updated 12/10/24 with figures adjusted for enrollment growth & inflation through 2024.
Whenever the discussion of what the next Big Move for healthcare policy should be comes up in Democratic/progressive circles, the incredibly difficult path which had to be paved to get the Affordable Care Act passed in 2009-2010 is often brought up as an example of how difficult it is to make even minor changes, much less major ones.
That gets a bit repetitive after awhile, however, so here's another excellent case study from 20 years earlier: The Medicare Catastrophic Coverage Act of 1988.
Every month for years now, the Centers for Medicare & Medicare Services (CMS) has published a monthly press release with a breakout of total Medicare, Medicaid & CHIP enrollment; the most recent one was posted in late February, and ran through November 2022.
Biden-Harris Administration Announces Medicare Advantage and Medicare Part D Prescription Drug Proposals that Aim to Improve Care and Access for Enrollees
Today, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) is proposing actions in the Medicare Advantage (MA) and Medicare Part D prescription drug programs to continue to strengthen protections and access to care for people with Medicare. The Contract Year (CY) 2026 MA and Part D proposed rule aims to hold MA and Part D plans more accountable for delivering high-quality coverage so that people with Medicare are connected to the care they need when they need it.
On November 8, 2024, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) released the 2025 premiums, deductibles, and coinsurance amounts for the Medicare Part A and Part B programs, and the 2025 Medicare Part D income-related monthly adjustment amounts.
Medicare Part B Premium and Deductible
Medicare Part B covers physicians’ services, outpatient hospital services, certain home health services, durable medical equipment, and certain other medical and health services not covered by Medicare Part A.
Every month for years now, the Centers for Medicare & Medicare Services (CMS) has published a monthly press release with a breakout of total Medicare, Medicaid & CHIP enrollment; the most recent one was posted in late February, and ran through November 2022.
Every month for years now, the Centers for Medicare & Medicare Services (CMS) has published a monthly press release with a breakout of total Medicare, Medicaid & CHIP enrollment; the most recent one was posted in late February, and ran through November 2022.
In July 2024, 79,560,396 individuals were enrolled in Medicaid and CHIP, a decrease of 403,074 individuals (0.5%) from June 2024.
72,429,055 individuals were enrolled in Medicaid in July 2024, a decrease of 441,475 individuals (0.6%) from June 2024.
7,131,341 individuals were enrolled in CHIP in July 2024, an increase of 38,401 individuals (0.5%) from June 2024.
As of July 2024, enrollment in Medicaid and CHIP has decreased by 14,455,287 individuals (15.4%) since March 2023, the final month of the Medicaid continuous enrollment condition under the Families First Coronavirus Response Act (FFCRA) and amended by the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2023.
Medicaid enrollment has decreased by 14,440,102 individuals (16.6%).
CHIP enrollment has decreased by 15,185 individuals (0.2%).
Between February 2020 and March 2023, enrollment in Medicaid and CHIP increased by 23,109,188 individuals (32.6%) to 94,015,683.
Medicaid enrollment increased by 22,819,861 individuals (35.6%).
CHIP enrollment increased by 289,327 individuals (4.2%).
In June 2024, 79,963,470 individuals were enrolled in Medicaid and CHIP, a decrease of 851,310 individuals (1.1%) from May 2024.
72,870,530 individuals were enrolled in Medicaid in June 2024, a decrease of 838,377 individuals (1.1%) from May 2024.
7,092,940 individuals were enrolled in CHIP in June 2024, a decrease of 12,933 individuals (0.2%) from May 2024.
As of June 2024, enrollment in Medicaid and CHIP has decreased by 13,943,010 individuals (14.8%) since March 2023, the final month of the Medicaid continuous enrollment condition under the Families First Coronavirus Response Act (FFCRA) and amended by the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2023.
Medicaid enrollment has decreased by 13,860,029 individuals (16.0%).
CHIP enrollment has decreased by 82,981 individuals (1.2%).
Between February 2020 and March 2023, enrollment in Medicaid and CHIP increased by 22,999,985 individuals (32.4%) to 93,906,480.
Medicaid enrollment increased by 22,681,263 individuals (35.4%).
CHIP enrollment increased by 318,722 individuals (4.6%).
