Medicare Transition from Quarterly Billing to Monthly SS Auto-Deduction

[ChuckP102691]

I saw some dialogue in a previous post regarding this subject.

It looks like the potential exists for a double premium billing the 1st month that you receive social security benefits with the Part B premium auto-deducted.

I reach FRA this month and get my first check next month (July).

My last quarterly Medicare payment covers me thru the end of July.

My understanding of my benefit payment next month is that my SS benefit is paid in arrears.

But the Medicare premium deduction is in advance.

That means my June SS check I receive in July is paying for my July Medicare premium.

Am I understanding this correctly?

If so, it appears that would create a double premium payment for the month of July.

I'm sure I'm not the only one this has happened to and wonder if SS/Medicare addresses it.

Thanks.

Chuck

[g219317s]

Similar situation here. Paid Feb/Mar/April Medicare premiums directly. Social Security started March. They adjusted my SS payment to account for the paid March premium, but withheld April premium in check received May 25th. Did an online chat with Medicare and the rep informed me that refunds for premium overpayments are issued quarterly: March 1, June 1, Sept 1 and Dec 1, with checks arriving two weeks after that date. Since I haven't received a check yet (3 weeks out), most likely my refund won't happen until Sept.  So, depending on the timing, a refund could take 3 -4 months to happen. 

[LarryF544725]

I am in a similar situation. Paid my medicare premiums directly before I started getting SS payments. Now getting medicare deductions in my SS payments for months I already paid for. The advice I have been getting is to "pay the bills you get, and wait for the refunds to occur". I like this previous comment, "...refunds for premium overpayments are issued quarterly: March 1, June 1, Sept 1 and Dec 1...". So I will wait and keep checking my online SS account.

[LarryF544725]

I just received my refund for "twice-paid" medicare premiums! I must have made the June cut for refund payments. It was just a check from the US Treasury. No statement or explanation with the check. But the amount is correct (according to my calcs). So I am taking the win. I will keep watching my SS account to make sure everything else proceeds as expected.

[SpringIsHereVA]

Congrats Larry @LarryF544725 !!!  🙃

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➡️[*** Larry wrote on Tuesday 6/10/25:

I just received my refund for "twice-paid" medicare premiums! I must have made the June cut for refund payments. It was just a check from the US Treasury. No statement or explanation with the check. But the amount is correct (according to my calcs). So I am taking the win. I will keep watching my SS account to make sure everything else proceeds as expected. ***]

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[LarryF544725]

Correction... I will keep watching my SS and Medicare accounts!

[roachme]

I just did this at the beginning of the year.  I paid my 3 months Medicare in December and started Social Security effective in January.  My first check for January was scheduled to be deposited late February so there was some confusion on when they would start taking out Medicare and for what month.  You are right though, the February Medicare payment came out of the January SS check deposited near the end of February for me.

I only had to pay out of pocket for January's Medicare.  I called to confirm the Feb deposited check would have the first Medicare payment removed for February's Medicare and they told me I would automatically receive a refund for the extra payments.  About 4-6 weeks after my first SS check, I received a US Treasury check in the mail for the 2 months refund for the February and March payments I'd made in December.  They also told me that if I didn't have the refund by the 8 week mark to call back.

[GailL1]

Yes, it can happen - you will have to ask them for a refund IF they deduct it on your 1st benefit check in July (June benefit - July Medicare Part B premium)

There maybe a form but I don't know it - just call them.

For specific Medicare billing questions: Call us at 1-800-MEDICARE (1-800-633-4227). TTY: 1-877-486-2048.

[AprilR266354]

This scenario just happened to me.   Paid Medicare quarterly premium in late December 2024.   SS benefits started in January, but Medicare payment was deducted and continued to be deducted for February in March.   Medicare told me to call SS for reimbursement.  Spent THREE hours on hold in early March.  Gentleman said that the refund was in the system, but that if I didn't get any reimbursement in three weeks, I should call back.  I called back last week.  Spent SIX hours on hold.  Told it was processed the day after I spoke with the first guy, and that it takes 30-45 days to be reimbursed by the treasury department via direct deposit.   What a mess.  Lesson learned - I should have never paid the full, three-month premium in December.

[GailL1]

IF you had not paid the premiums when due, they would have cancelled your Part B and believe me, you do not want that to happen.  

IF you are due a refund, they will send you money for it.  Medicare is always paid for the current month but your actual Social Security benefits are paid one month in arrears.  

So if you got a benefit payment in January then that was your December SS benefit.  

How long have you had Part B Medicare?  Look at your Red white and blue care and then count the months that you have paid including your payment and your Social Security Benefit deduction.   

If you have overpaid for a month or two - it will be refunded - pretty sure they will send you a check and not just another auto deposit.  This should be automatic without you having to call.  Guess they could be waiting for all three months to be deducted so that you can get the full (3) months back.