Medicare Part B premiums, deductibles will remain unchanged in 2015

The costs of premiums and deductibles for Medicare Part B, which covers physician services, will not change in 2015, according to an announcement from the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS).

Premiums for the nearly 49 million recipients will stay at $104.90 and deductibles will remain $147.

READ: Why is Medicare spending slowing?

This is the second year that the cost of Medicare Part B has not increased for seniors, and CMS says it’s proof that the Affordable Care Act is working to improve access to care and slowing healthcare costs.

“The stabilization of Part B premiums is another example of how we are containing health care costs to provide a more sustainable and affordable health delivery system. The Administration has taken important steps to improve the quality of care while keeping the cost of Medicare premiums and deductibles the same,” CMS Administrator Marilyn Tavenner said in a written statement. “This means even greater financial and health security for our seniors next year as their premiums will remain unchanged.”

CMS says Medicare spending growth has averaged 0.8% annually the past four years.