Contributor ⭐

Paying Medicare Premium Twice at Start of Social Security

Forum|Forum|4 years ago
May 5, 2022
35 replies
68292 views

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

Community Champion ⭐⭐⭐

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.

IT‘S ALWAYS SOMETHING . . . . .. . . . Roseanne Roseannadanna

S

stuntfalcon

Contributor ⭐

I was convinced I had to have it, they lied to me. I paid, then got billed and double paid. Then I learned that I DON'T have to pay for anything past part A because I'm a veteran and my healthcare is free. I never got the money back, and now...3 years after I signed up for SSA benefits, they withheld nearly $500 for 'unpaid premiums.' That's half my check and no remedy in sight. Just in time for the holidays too!

GailL1

Community Champion ⭐⭐⭐

@ValerieC417861

Are you sure it was $ 370 - that would be (2) months @ $185 a month.

Yes, you can cancel Part B and you will get a refund BUT the important thing is what are you gonna be using in place of it?

Employer Group Health is about the only thing that will take its’ place until you stop working.

If you don’t have anything else that is creditable in the eyes of Medicare, then you will have to pay a late enrollment penalty when you do decide to sign up for Medicare Part B and it will last forever. Same thing for Medicare Part D.

If you are low income, you might be eligible for a Medicare Savings Program where your state pays these premiums for you. Here is the eligibility guidelines for 2025 - for some of these you have to apply every year.

Medicare.gov - Medicare Savings Programs

Again for those who are low income, who meet the eligibility guideline there is also Extra Help available for any prescription drugs coverage,

SSA.gov - Extra Help

Based on your situation, cancelling Part B might be a good decision or a very bad one - but without all your details, I can’t say specifically which one this might be for you.

IT‘S ALWAYS SOMETHING . . . . .. . . . Roseanne Roseannadanna

J

jv2057

Contributor ⭐

So - in my case: I paid medicare for Feb/Mar/Apr. My SS starts in Feb - paid in March. If I follow the previous responses, I would expect to eventually get a refund from Medicare for March and April. Could someone please confirm - or have I missed the point?

J

JohnC728129

Contributor ⭐⭐

I did the math and just payed Medicare what I’d owe them till social security kicked in. Example my wife will be retiring in March I just sent them 555.00 in December that will cover her for January,February and March so when the bill comes in February I won’t need to pay it as her first benefit payment in March will cover April and from then on.

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