washingtonscene
crease compensation for severely disabled Terry Scott, USA-Ret., said the commis-
veterans up to 25 percent as an interim sion was not infl uenced by cost. “When
measure pending development and imple- we discussed options, we talked about
mentation of a QOL measure in the VA the cost of a particular recommendation
rating schedule; just so we’d know what we were talking
■ The VA immediately should update the about,” he said. “But we did not let that
current rating schedule, beginning with be the determining factor of whether we
more appropriate evaluation and rating of made it into a recommendation.”
PTSD and traumatic brain injury; The commission discussed the report’s
■ The VA should establish a holistic ap- recommendations over several weeks be-
proach that couples PTSD treatment, fore both chambers of Congress. The full
compensation, and vocational assessment; report and the executive summary can be
■ Congress should eliminate the disability viewed on the VDBC Web site at www
offset to military retired pay for all dis-
.vetscommission.org/reports.asp.
abled retirees and the offset to disability
severance pay for servicemembers sepa-
rated due to service-connected disabilities; Take a Little
■ The VA and DoD should realign the dis-
ability evaluation process so the services (Premium) Hike
determine fi tness for continuation on duty,
Part B to rise $2.90 monthly.
while the VA assigns disability ratings for
use by DoD as well as the VA;
■ Congress should eliminate the deduction
M
edicare has announced the
of VA Dependency and Indemnity Com- basic Medicare Part B premium
pensation from military SBP annuities; and will be $96.40 a month for 2008
■ The VA and DoD should expedite devel- (an increase of $2.90). The good news
opment and implementation of compat- is this is the smallest increase in recent
ible information systems. years. The bad news is some Medicare-eli-
Many of these recommendations carry gibles with higher incomes will see much
a hefty price tag. But Chair Lt. Gen. James larger increases. And all Medicare-eli-
gibles are likely to face signifi cantly bigger
premium hikes in 2009.
How Much Will You Pay for Medicare Part B?
The chart at left shows how much
Here’s what a single senior in various income brackets will pay for Part B in 2008, people in various income brackets will be
and a “best guess” for 2009. (Income ceilings double for married couples.)
paying for Medicare Part B in 2008 versus
Income Monthly Premium what they’re paying this year. Those fi l-
ing jointly will need to double the income
Individuals Beneficiary share of 2007 2008 2009
total Part B cost (30%)* (67%)* (100%)*est.
amount as well as the premium amount.
It also makes a guesstimate about how
Under $82K 25% $93.50 $96.40 $106** those premiums are likely to grow further
$82K - $102K 35% $104.72 $122.20 $148 in 2009, based on what we know now.
$102K - $153K 50% $121.55 $160.90 $212 There are two factors to consider in the
$153K - $205K 65% $138.38 $199.70 $275 2009 guesstimate: 2009 will be the fi rst
$205K or more 80% $155.21 $238.40 $339 year (after a three-year phase-in) that
* Income-based premium increases are being phased in with 30 percent of the increase coming in the new income-based standards (which
2007, 67 percent coming in 2008, and the full increase in 2009.
charge higher premiums for higher-income
** Assumes a 10-percent increase for 2009 premiums in expectation Congress will not allow the 9.9-
percent physician reimbursement cut now pending for 2008. people) are fully implemented, and 2008
premium levels were computed based on
34 MILITARY OFFICER DECEMBER 2007
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