MEDICARE HOLD HARMLESS PROVISION

A legal statement prohibiting an increase to Medicare B premiums for the vast majority of American citizens. The Medicare hold harmless provision ensures that Medicare B premiums can not rise more than the previous year's cost of living increase in Social Security benefits.

The beneficiaries who are not protected from rising premiums by the hold harmless provision will likely see their part B premiums rise, since they (A) Did not have part B premiums deducted for their Social Security distributions, (B) paid a higher part B premium surcharge based on their higher income or (C) were newly enrolled in Medicare part B.