The far left wing French-government news agency Reuters is not the worst source of information about United States Medicare on the Internet. But it is close. I guess it should seem obvious not to trust a French source about a U.S. subject but since Reuters keeps putting bad information about United States Medicare out there and far left wing U.S. newspapers (most U.S. newspapers) like far left wing French propaganda, you really have to pay attention and make sure you trust only a good source such as medicare.gov.
This week Reuters claims
"The Part B premium has been $104.90 since 2012 - except for 2011, when it actually dropped by about $15, to $99.90. "
Of course the French do not realize how Medicare works and that the nominal Part B premium dropped in 2011 -- for 2012 -- because Part B premiums had been frozen for three or four years at $96 for those already on Medicare (because of no increase in SS payments during those years). That meant that those just coming on to the Medicare system in those "frozen years" had to make up the difference with $115 a month Part B premiums. For the vast majority of people on Medicare during that time period, the Part B premium has steadily risen; there was no decrease.
Reuters also claims
"premiums are deducted from Social Security checks."
That is true for fewer and fewer of us Medicare beneficiaries because SS full retirement age is now 66 and rising and more and more people on Medicare are not on SS. Again, how would the French know. They all retire at 45.
Finally Reuters claims
"the average Part D premium has been $30 or $31 since 2011."
But don't be fooled by that lefty French claim. Average Part D premium is a number the US government and insurance companies manipulate by announcing cheap Part D policies no one will choose and then upping the price of the popular Part D policies by 20%-30%.
Reuters also tries to scare U.S. seniors concerning the donut hole. The good news is that only about 5% of U.S. seniors come anywhere near the donut hole. The bad news of course is that is of little consolation to you if you are part of the 5%.
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