The government is sending a onetime $90 payment to more than 20 million Social Security recipients to help with their Medicare Part B coverage premiums, President Donald Trump announced in a statement last week.
Medicare is a federal health insurance program for people 65 and older, and for younger people with long-term disabilities or end-stage renal disease, according to the Congressional Budget Office. Of the more than 70 million Americans currently enrolled in Medicare, 63 million are enrolled in Part B, which covers nonemergency general and preventive care. Of those enrolled in Part B, only about one-third qualify for the “premium rebate.”
Those whose premiums are already paid by Medicaid or who pay an income-related monthly adjustment amount are not eligible for the rebate, according to the White House.
For those who are eligible, payments start arriving on Thursday, October 8, either by direct deposit or via a check in the mail from the Social Security Administration.
As some critics have pointed out, the money is not a true rebate, and comes out of the Medicare Improvement Fund, established in 2008 by Congress to be used as flexible spending for the program.
The Medicare checks are not the first so-called rebate to come from the Trump Administration ahead of this year’s hotly contested nationwide midterm elections on November 3.
They follow $500 “refund” checks sent to nearly 1 million Obamacare enrollees, who the administration claims were overcharged by the Affordable Care Act when signing up for health insurance in these 30 states.
Trump has also pledged to send every American adult $5,000—which only Congress has the authority to do—if the Republicans retain control of the House and Senate in the midterms. The statements come at a time when Trump’s popularity is at a record low.
How can I find out if I’m eligible for a Medicare premium rebate?
Seniors can call 1-800-MEDICARE (1-800-633-4227) to check on their eligibility for the premium rebate.
Beneficiaries who want to check on the status of their payment should call the Social Security Administration at 1-800-772-1213.
