More than 20 million people with Original Medicare are getting a one-time $90 payment in October to help cover their Part B premium, the Associated Press reported. Medicare Advantage members do not qualify, and neither do many low-income enrollees whose premiums are already paid by Medicaid.
There is no application. If you are eligible, the money is sent automatically.
Who qualifies for the $90 payment?
According to Doctronic's summary of the eligibility rules, you qualify if all of these are true:
- You are enrolled in Original Medicare Part B
- You live in the United States
- You pay your own Part B premium, rather than having it covered by Medicaid or a Medicare Savings Program
- You do not pay IRMAA, the extra premium charged to higher-income enrollees
Who is left out?
| Group | Gets $90? |
|---|---|
| Original Medicare Part B, pays own premium | Yes |
| Medicare Advantage members | No |
| Part A only | No |
| Pays IRMAA (higher income) | No |
| Premium paid by Medicaid or a Medicare Savings Program | No |
About 35 million Medicare Advantage enrollees, many people with disabilities and low-income recipients are not eligible, the AP reported. The total cost is about $2 billion.
Doctronic estimates that of roughly 62.9 million people with Part B, only about one in three qualify.
When will I get it?
- Direct deposit: Most eligible people were paid by Social Security on or around October 8, according to Doctronic.
- Paper check: Others get a U.S. Treasury check later in October. The memo line reads "Medicare Improvement Fund Payment; $90 Payment to Offset October Premium," Doctronic says.
What if I didn't receive it?
- Check eligibility against the table above.
- Call Social Security at 1-800-772-1213 about payment status, available from October 15.
- Call 1-800-MEDICARE with eligibility questions.
Allow time for mailed checks to arrive before calling.
Is it a scam if someone calls about it?
Very likely. Medicare and Social Security will not call, text or email asking for bank details to release this payment, Doctronic notes. Do not give your Medicare number, Social Security number or bank information to anyone who contacts you out of the blue about the $90.
What the $90 is not
- It does not lower your monthly Part B premium going forward.
- It is not a cost-of-living adjustment. Social Security's separate 3.6% raise starts in January. See our 2027 COLA guide.
- It is not a Medicare Advantage "giveback" benefit.
How does it compare with next year's premium?
The official 2027 Part B premium has not been announced. Medicare's trustees project $209.50 a month, up from $202.90. That would add about $79 a year, using up most of the $90 payment, Doctronic calculates.
Open enrollment, when you can change plans for 2027, runs October 15 to December 7. See our Medicare open enrollment 2027 guide.
