Paying Medicare Premium Twice at Start of Social Security

[Carol9956]

I started Medicare at age 65. I waited to take Social Security until my Full Retirement age. I am required to paid quarterly payments for the Medicare Premium, (this before reaching Full Retirement age). My Notice of Award for my Social Security Benefit shows that Medicare Premiums will be automatically deducted from each month's benefit payment.

The problem is I will be paying the Medicare Premium twice for the month of May. After that, no problem and I want the automatic deduction. My Social Security Benefit starts in May. The Notice of Award clearly itemizes the deduction of the Medicare Premium for this first benefit payment. However, my last quarterly payment for the Medicare Premium includes the premium for May. Thus, I'm paying twice.

How do I fix this? Calling my local Social Security office is met with the sound of crickets chirping. Is there a way to fix this from within my online social security account? Or, will this get corrected automatically? If it is expected to be fixed automatically, how long does that take? Or, do I have to file a claim of some type?

It seems this must occur a fair amount since Medicare typically starts well before Full Retirement. I can't find it at the government sites. Please help.

[GailL1 · Accepted solution]

Yes, it does occur and then it takes awhile for the amount that was overpaid to be reconciled.

Remember that

• Medicare Part B premiums are paid for the month of service in which they are due. 
• But SSA benefits are paid (1) month in arrears - 

So my question to you is - will your SSA benefit be paid in May - which will be the April SSA benefit. (probably not)     OR will the SSA benefit be paid in June - which will be the May benefit?

If the SSA benefit is for the month of May (paid in June) then the Part B premium that is being deducted would be for June, not May.

[Carol9956]

Yes, the SSA payment is in June, (for my first benefit month of May). So I have no double payment for May. The SSA payment received in June will include the Medicare premium for June's coverage.

Thank you very much for your quick response and help.

Gilda Radner was awesome. I found her Emily Litella to be as hilarious as her Roseanne Roseannadanna. Oh, that's different. Nevermind. 😉

[GailL1]

@Carol9956 wrote

Yes, the SSA payment is in June, (for my first benefit month of May). So I have no double payment for May. The SSA payment received in June will include the Medicare premium for June's coverage.

Now you have it - Happy Retirement.