That’s right, the beleaguered trust fund will be depleted two years later than expected, according to a
new report from CMS trustees.
"The trust fund that finances Medicare's hospital insurance coverage will remain solvent until 2026, two years beyond what was projected in last year's report,"
CMS says in its report.
So why the extension? CMS thanks cost savings from reduced spending in hospital services in 2012, low cost projections for Medicare Advantage programs and austerity measures from the Affordable Care Act.
Moreover, “Medicare spending per beneficiary grew at 1.7% annually, more slowly than the average rate of growth in the Consumer Price Index, and substantially more slowly than the per capita rate of growth in the economy, CMS says in its news release.
I guess that means
free MRIs for everyone over 65 (just kidding, not really).