Medicare premiums going up due to “Obamacare”? Chain e-mail gets it wrong

[alp227]

A chain e-mail going around warns of a Medicare premium increase, saying monthly premiums will go up from $96.40 to $247 in 2014. Blame it all on "Obamacare," the e-mail says.

Here’s the full text of the copy we received:

For those of you who are on Medicare, read the article below. It's a
short but important article that you probably haven't heard about in
the mainstream news:

The per person Medicare insurance premium will increase from the
present monthly fee of

$ 96.40, rising to:

$104.20 in 2012;

$120.20 in 2013; And

$247.00 in 2014.

These are provisions incorporated in the Obamacare legislation,
purposely delayed so as not to 'confuse' the 2012 re-election
campaigns.

Send this to all seniors that you know, so they will know who's
throwing them under the bus.

As we researched, we quickly realized two important points. First, the chain e-mail’s numbers are wrong. Second, explaining Medicare premiums is pretty complicated.

So let’s start with a few Medicare basics: Medicare is the government-run health insurance program for Americans over age 65. Medicare’s Part A, which all beneficiaries receive, pays for hospitalization, while Part B pays for doctor’s visits and other regular health-care services.

Based on the numbers it uses for premiums, it’s clear the chain e-mail is referring to what Medicare beneficiaries pay monthly for Medicare Part B premiums.

Medicare calculates those premiums each year based on several factors that change from year to year. So the e-mail’s claim to know what Medicare premiums will be in the future doesn’t hold much water.

(on edit) DOH! This is a politifact article, for more http://www.politifact.com/truth-o-meter/statements/2011/oct/27/chain-email/medicare-premiums-going-due-obamacare-chain-e-mail/

[zbdent]

1. how do they explain the massive rate increases

which occurred prior to "Obamacare" even having anything on paper?

[alp227]

2. Medicare Part D? nt

[mwb970]

3. Right-wing e-mails are always full of crap like this.

Pathetic, gullible, unthinking people lying to each other to reinforce their hate. And becoming enemies of the state in the process.

God, how sick I am of conservatives!