On November 5 the Medicare website (
www.medicare.gov) posted the new 2011 monthly premium amounts for Part B coverage. The lowest tier (based on income) will be $96.40 (if you had the premium deducted in 2009), $110.50 (if you were new to Medicare in 2010), and $115.40 (if you will be new to Medicare in 2011). Those amounts apply if you have a "modified adjusted gross income" of less than $85,000 (single) or $170,000 (married filing jointly). For incomes above those amounts, the other four premium tiers are $161.50, $230.70, $299.90, and $369.10. I wouldn't waste time shedding tears for those paying the top premium of $369.10 per month, because to do that they have to earn $214,000 annually (single) or $428,000 (married filing jointly), which means, in my opinion, that they can easily afford it.
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