‘04 Medicare Premiums Expected to Rise 12.3%
From Times Wire Reports
Medicare beneficiaries could see their monthly premiums in 2004 rise by 12.3%, or $86.40, over the full year.
Richard Foster, Medicare’s chief actuary, citing higher costs for doctors’ services, wheelchairs and other items, said the monthly premium in the health insurance program for the elderly will rise to $65.90 from $58.70.
The agency also predicted that there will be a 4.2% cut in Medicare payments to doctors in January.
