The Bush administration announced Monday that the standard premium for Medicare would rise to $96.40 a month next year, an increase of $2.90 a month.

Most of the 43 million beneficiaries pay the standard premium for Medicare Part B, which covers doctors’ services, outpatient hospital care, X-rays, laboratory services and other diagnostic tests.

Remember, most beneficiaries pay separate premiums for Medicare coverage of prescription drugs on top of the standard premium. The drug premiums typically range from $25 to $40 a month.