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.

[JohnC728129]

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. 

[jv2057]

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?

[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.

[PatriciaJ659531]

Does one have to contact SSA to apply for the overpaid amount to be reconciled? Or it done automatically?

[JoanG305405]

Supposed to be done automatically, but like GaiL1 stated, it takes awhile.  I paid my premium twice every month in Jan, Feb, & Mar, and still haven't received a refund.  My last inquiry with SSA informed me that it should be refunded the first week of June.  Not holding my breath!

[SpringIsHereVA]

Patricia @PatriciaJ659531 , I was hoping someone would be able to help you. I have NO idea, sorry. Take care, Nicole  👵

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[*** @PatriciaJ659531 wrote 4/18/25:

Does one have to contact SSA to apply for the overpaid amount to be reconciled? Or it done automatically? ***]

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[stuntfalcon]

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]

@stuntfalcon 

If you are gonna use the VA Health system instead of Medicare - you need to cancel Medicare Part B - that’s the part of Medicare that is funded partly by money premiums.

But know what you are doing - make sure that you are gonna get what you need via the VA Health system.  You said “free” - they will decide that based on your VA category and income.

READ this to start:

VA.gov - VA Healthcare and Other Insurance 

VA.gov- About VA Health Benefits 

AARP- Do I need to sign up for Medicare if I’m a veteran with VA health care? 

Medicare.gov - How Medicare Works with other insurance  

See page 8 where it talks about VA Health benefits

Now if you do want to cancel your Medicare Part B - you have to do it officially - the government way, of course.

Medicare.gov - How do I terminate my Medicare Part B (medical insurance) 

Just a note - With VA Healthcare benefits and with full Medicare coverage, you have the best of both worlds and can pretty much get care anyplace.  You will not need a Medicare Part D - prescription drug coverage if you want to use the VA Health Benefit for drug coverage.  It covers MOST everything.  

Of course, the decision is yours to make.  

As far as getting a refund of any Part B premiums - Maybe -  if you haven’t used Part B but not going back for (3) years but any refund will take awhile.

Might be something else going on since you have been on Medicare for (3) years = If you use the Part B Medicare, you have to pay your premiums.  

Could it be that there is something amiss here?

Good Luck.

[ValerieC417861]

I went online to check what my premium would be and they signed me up for part B!! it’s $300/mo and I can’t afford that so I cancelled but it’s taking two months to get the cancellation through. Can I get those two premiums refunded since I didn’t use Medicare??

[GailL1]

@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.

[fffred]

@GailL1  Kudos for awesome reply. Knowledgeable insight like this is worth so much; difficult to get this concise summarized research. Nice work!! thank you

[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.

[PamelaM737243]

Again, I am sorry to ask this of you on an older post, but I am in the same situation and need more clarification.  I'm not sure why it's so confusing for me but I think it's because of how the Social Security payments are paid as opposed to how Medicare is paid.   I made my 4th quarter Medicare premium for October, November, and December.  This was an overpayment as I will start receiving SS benefits for October, which will be paid in November.  I DID received my refund check but it was only refunded for 2 months.  

[PamelaM737243]

UHHH.  I think I may have figured it out... so... my October Medicare payment, I paid. The October Social Security check will take out Medicare but that will be applied to November, medicare (not October) thus... only 2 months of refund is for November and December.   Ugh.. I need more coffee.

[jv2057]

PamelaM - I posted my version of your question (slightly different timing, but I am hoping someone replies - as I will be scratching my head until I see the refund.  LOL)

[PamelaM737243]

Did you get an answer back yet?  It was hard for me to figure out too.  But, many answers on this thread helped me “comprehend” it.  LOL  If you scroll through them, I think it will start to sink in.  Look at  @GailL1 answer, she explained it for me, the best way!  I was refunded for 2 months.  The “catch” was you are dealing with 2 different agencies that 2 different schedules.  I did get my refund quicker than I thought I would, too.  Good luck to you! 

[jv2057]

Yes - I think I am all set.  Thank you.

[GailL1]

Yes, that’s right BUT YOU ONLY HAVE A REFUND for Part B premiums for November and December AFTER they have been deducted from your SS benefit.  

You cannot ask for a refund until all of the deductions have been made to your SS benefit because up to then - you haven’t actually paid twice - Government works in real time not what is planned to be.

COMPRENDO???

Two different benefits - two different agencies - two differ timing schedules - Your refund will take awhile because of this too.

OH, If only I were in charge !!??  But I’m too old for that now!

Good Luck.

[JimT57]

Amazing SSA personal story:  applied for SS FRA benefits 10 Dec 2023 anticipating 3 month processing delay.  First payment received via direct deposit 29 Dec, NINE DAYS!!  Paid Medicare premiums 20 Dec for first quarter 2024, got refund from SS today for two excess payments.  No explanation, just simple arithmetic that SS/Medicare figured without me asking.  Amazing!

[MetaF784255]

WOW Congratulations!   That is Amazing....I applied for my Social Security as well, I PRAY it goes quickly!  My app is straight forward no complications! God Knows I need those Social Security Payments in the Worst way now.  I ended up my FRA month is this June however I just can't wait any longer, I requested March 2024 and I'll praying they are here by April 2024. 

[fffred]

@JimT57 

Awesome Jim!

thanks for relaying this. It’s great to hear when things go smoothly.

[sktn77a]

Based on this logic (with which I agree), shouldn't everyone get a refund of 1 month Medicare payment for the month they die???