Social Security: Eligible seniors to get $90 Medicare payment in October: Who qualifies and who misses out?

Social Security extra deposit: A $90 payment is expected to reach more than 20 million Medicare enrollees in October, giving eligible beneficiaries money to put toward their Medicare Part B premiums. The federal government announced the one-time payment on October 2, with most eligible seniors expected to receive the money through direct deposit in early October.

However, the payment is not available to everyone enrolled in Medicare. The White House has outlined specific exclusions and provided contact numbers for beneficiaries who want to check whether they qualify.

Who Qualifies for the $90 Medicare Payment

Most Medicare Part B enrollees are eligible for the one-time rebate but two groups are excluded.


Beneficiaries whose Medicare premiums are already paid by Medicaid and those who pay an Income-Related Monthly Adjustment Amount (IRMAA) don't qualify, as per White House.

Seniors who are unsure about their eligibility can call Medicare at "18006334227" to ask about the rebate.

Why Is the Government Sending a One-Time $90 Payment

The payment will come from the Medicare Improvement Fund, which Congress allocated $2 billion to support improvements to the Medicare fee-for-service program.

In its October 2 fact sheet, the White House said President Donald Trump had announced one-time payments of $90 per person to help more than 20 million Medicare enrollees pay their Part B premiums.

The administration also said the fund, established in 2008, had never previously been used by an administration to make payments. It described the announcement as the first time a president had used the fund to directly lower costs for senior citizens.

When Will the $90 Medicare Rebate Arrive

Most eligible seniors are expected to receive a direct deposit of $90 in early October. Beneficiaries without direct deposit arrangements will receive a check which is expected in early October sent to the mailing address they have registered with Medicare.

As per the announcement, it is an expected payment schedule, rather than confirming that every eligible beneficiary has already received the money.

How Can Seniors Check Eligibility and Payment Status

The White House provided two phone numbers for beneficiaries seeking information about the rebate:

To check eligibility: You can call Medicare at "18006334227"

To check payment status: You can call the Social Security Administration at "18007721213"

Beneficiaries can contact the relevant agency to ask about eligibility/ the status of their payment.

What Medicare Enrollees Must Know About the Rebate

The $90 payment is a one-time contribution toward Medicare Part B premiums not a recurring payment. Eligibility is not automatic for every person enrolled in Medicare. And the White House has specified that beneficiaries whose premiums are already paid by Medicaid and those who pay IRMAA are excluded.

So for seniors who qualify, the payment is intended to help with Part B premium costs. Those who are uncertain about their eligibility can contact Medicare directly for more information.