|
The Truth:
This
eRumor gets a little complex. There were increases in Medicare premiums announced in 2010.
Currently, in 2012, the rates posted on the Medicare site are $451 for
Part A and $99.90 for Part B.
There were no Cost of Living increases for Social Security recipients in 2010 or 2011. Congressional representatives have not received pay raises since 2009
and in 2010 actually voted to stop their annual automatic cost of living
increases.
During the Spring of 2012 one official looking version of this eRumor
said that premiums would be hiked up to $247 in 2014. The warning
appeared to have come from a representative of Blue Cross Blue Shield of
Alabama. According to an April 5, 2012 article in the Boston
Globe, the insurance representative received this viral email and
forwarded it from her work computer which pasted her company information
at the bottom of the email, thus lending some credibility to the
Internet Hoax.
Click for story.
Medicare Premium Increases
On
October 19, 2009, the New York Times reported that there would be an
increase to Medicare Part B premiums from $100 to $115, a 15% increase.
The Times article said, "About 12 million people, or 27 percent
of Medicare beneficiaries, will have to pay higher premiums or have the
additional amounts paid on their behalf."
On November 5, 2010, the
Social Security Administration published a report of increases of
Medicare
premiums that said that depending on what plan
participants are enrolled, the increases would vary. These
policies were enacted while the 111th Congress, under the leadership of
Nancy Pelosi, was in session. The Republican majority led 112th House did
not take office until January 3, 2011, months after the changes to
Medicare were enacted.
For the most part, increases in premiums affect Medicare participants of
Part B. The report said, "Most beneficiaries will continue to pay
the same $96.40 or $110.50 premium amount in 2011. Beneficiaries who
currently have the Social Security Administration (SSA) withhold their
Part B premium and have incomes of $85,000 or less (or $170,000 or less
for joint filers) will not have an increase in their Part B premium in
2011."
It went on to say, "For all others, the
standard Medicare Part B monthly premium will be $115.40 in 2011, which
is a 4.4% increase over the 2010 premium. The Medicare Part B premium is
increasing in 2011 due to possible increases in Part B costs. If your
income is above $85,000 (single) or $170,000 (married couple), then your
Medicare Part B premium may be higher than $115.40 per month."
TruthOrFiction.com has not found any evidence that the Social Security
Administration has announced any future increases to Medicare premiums.
Any cost predictions not posted on the Medicare or SSA sites should be
considered speculation.
For current quotes on premiums Medicare has put up a cost page:
Click for Medicare premium
information.
No Cost of Living Increase for Social Security Recipients
According to an October 15, 2010 press release by the
Social
Security Administration, the policy of no cost of living adjustment
(COLA) for Social Security recipients began in 2010 , once again, while
the 111th Congress was in session.
The bill that was signed into law in 2010 but extended the no COLA plan
to 2011. TruthorFiction.com reported on this story
back in 2010 and has findings posted.
Click
for our findings.
Congressional Pay Raises
Neither the 111th nor 112th Congress voted for a cost of living
increase in their salaries. According to a
May 14, 2010 article in The Hill, President Obama signed into law a
bill that would stop all automatic pay raises to members of Congress. The article said, "The base pay for House and
Senate lawmakers is $174,000, though leaders earn a higher salary. The
cost-of-living increase would have given lawmakers a $1,600 raise in
2011. By rescinding the increase, lawmakers saved taxpayers $850,000 for
next year."
The Hill article also said, the House (111th) voted against a $2610 pay
raise for each member, which amounted towards a savings of $1.4 million
to the taxpayers. The article added, "In 2008, members did not opt
to rescind their pay and received a $4,100 increase, or 2.5 percent,"
which cost taxpayers just over $2.2 million.
updated 07/10/12 |
