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Monthly Medicare premiums covering physician and outpatient care will rise almost 6% next year as part of a series of hikes the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services announced Thursday.

THE BIG PICTURE: Though inflation pressures are receding, projected growth in health care spending is continuing to drive up the cost of care. A plan to repay providers for underpayments

they received from a federal drug discount program is another factor, CMS said. BY THE NUMBERS: The standard monthly premium for traditional Medicare Part B coverage, which encompasses

physician care, outpatient services and medical equipment, will be $174.70 in 2024, up from $164.90 this year. * Medicare enrollees may see higher premiums based on their income. * The

annual deductible for all Part B enrollees will be $240, an increase of $14 from this year's $226. * The deductible for Medicare Part A, which covers inpatient hospital care, nursing

home stays and other services, will be $1,632 next year — a $32, or 2%, increase from this year. CONTEXT: Medicare premiums haven't followed a standard trend line in recent years. * In

2022, Medicare Part B premiums rose 15%, largely due to the hefty anticipated price tag for Aduhelm, the controversial Alzheimer's treatment. * But Medicare's subsequent decision

to limit coverage of the drug allowed premiums to come down about 3% for 2023. OF NOTE: Consumers also have the option to enroll in private Medicare Advantage plans. The average MA monthly

plan premium next year will be $17.86, a 64-cent increase from this year's average.