Inflation brings higher food, gas, health care costs. And get ready for that to last a while.

A new study projects that inflation is driving health care costs higher than they already are – and will have a lasting effect on retirement medical expenses even after inflation drops.

A new report by the health care data company, HealthView Services, breaks it down like this: health care inflation will stay at nearly 12% over the next two years. That affects different age groups in different ways. A healthy 65-year-old couple can expect to pay an additional $85,917 on lifetime medical expenses, a 55-year-old couple can expect to pay $160,712 more, and a 45-year-old couple can expect to pay an additional $259,808.

Whew. And why is this?

 “Let’s say gas prices are $5. Now, in a month, they could be $4.50. But in health care, if it goes up to five bucks, it doesn’t fall back to $4.50. It keeps going up but at a slower rate. That’s the problem with health care prices,” says Ron Mastrogiovanni, HealthView Services CEO.

Unfortunately, this means that for many retirees, the majority of their Social Security benefits will go to health care costs.

What can you do? Start saving now. Stash money away in an IRA or 401K or invest in an HSA if you have a high-deductible plan.

Are you concerned about how inflation will affect your long-term healthcare costs? Share your thoughts here.