3.1% increase in Medicare part B premiums

The standard Medicare Part B premium will rise to $96.40 a month next year, an increase of $2.90 a month, according to information released by the Bush administration. (Source: "Standard Medicare Premium Will Rise 3.1% Next Year," NY times, Oct. 2, 2007.) According to the article, "the 3.1 percent increase is the smallest since 1999-2000, when the premium was at the same level, $45.50, for two years in a row." Medicare Part B covers the majority of Medicare beneficiaries and pays for "doctors’ services, outpatient hospital care, X-rays, laboratory services and other diagnostic tests."