Medicare Blog

why my medicare bill is twice

by Carole Johns Published 2 years ago Updated 1 year ago
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Once a person is on Medicare, the premiums for Part B of Medicare are deducted from their Social Security payments for people who already have claimed Social Security. It may appear as if you're paying twice for the same thing, but you're really not.Nov 21, 2018

Full Answer

Why don't I get a bill from Medicare?

Most people don't get a bill from Medicare because they get these premiums deducted automatically from their Social Security (or Railroad Retirement Board) benefit.) Your bill pays for next month's coverage (and future months if you get the bill every 3 months).

Why does Medicare call it easy pay?

En español | Medicare calls the system Easy Pay because it lets beneficiaries have their monthly Part B premiums deducted from their bank accounts. But last month, 411,000 enrollees discovered that they'd paid two premiums, not one.

What if I get a Medicare bill for charges Medicare covers?

If you’re in the QMB Program and get a bill for charges Medicare covers: 1. Tell your provider or the debt collector that you're in the QMB Program and can’t be charged for Medicare deductibles, coinsurance, and copayments. If you’ve already made payments on a bill for services and items Medicare covers, you have the right to a refund.

How do I know if my Medicare payments are correct?

If you use the Easy Pay system, make sure to check that your bank statement shows that you paid only one premium last month. Medicare actually bills its beneficiaries in advance, so the payment made Sept. 20 is for the October premium. It's probably a good idea in the future to make sure your Medicare payments are correct.

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Why am I paying double for Medicare?

People who are older than 65 and on Medicare but aren't receiving Social Security must pay the premiums directly. Many have it withdrawn automatically every month from their checking or savings account through Easy Pay. Everyone in that group was double-billed.

Will duplicate Medicare premiums be refunded automatically?

Medicare premiums are automatically deducted from benefits even if they've been paid in advance, but you will receive a refund of your duplicate premiums. No action other than patience should be needed on your part. The refund should be received within 60 days of your first Social Security payment.

What happens if I overpaid my Medicare premium?

When Medicare identifies an overpayment, the amount becomes a debt you owe the federal government. Federal law requires we recover all identified overpayments. When you get an overpayment of $25 or more, your MAC initiates overpayment recovery by sending a demand letter requesting repayment.

How do I get my Medicare premium refund?

Call 1-800-MEDICARE (1-800-633-4227) if you think you may be owed a refund on a Medicare premium. Some Medicare Advantage (Medicare Part C) plans reimburse members for the Medicare Part B premium as one of the benefits of the plan. These plans are sometimes called Medicare buy back plans.

How do you qualify to get $144 back from Medicare?

How do I qualify for the giveback?Are enrolled in Part A and Part B.Do not rely on government or other assistance for your Part B premium.Live in the zip code service area of a plan that offers this program.Enroll in an MA plan that provides a giveback benefit.

Why am I getting a bill for Medicare Part B?

If you have Medicare Part B but you are not receiving Social Security or Railroad Retirement Board benefits yet, you will get a bill called a “Notice of Medicare Premium Payment Due” (CMS-500). You will need to make arrangements to pay this bill every month.

How long does Medicare have to request a refund?

What is the timeframe in which Medicare may request return of an overpayment? For Medicare overpayments, the federal government and its carriers and intermediaries have 3 calendar years from the date of issuance of payment to recoup overpayment.

How long does it take for Medicare to refund?

Once you've completed the claim process, you should receive your Medicare refund within seven days.

How long does it take to get money back from Medicare?

Using the Medicare online account We'll pay your benefit into the bank account you've registered with us. You can register your bank details through your Medicare online account or Express Plus Medicare mobile app. When you submit a claim online, you'll usually get your benefit within 7 days.

How much is the Medicare Part B reimbursement?

If you are a new Medicare Part B enrollee in 2021, you will be reimbursed the standard monthly premium of $148.50 and do not need to provide additional documentation.

What is a Medicare refund?

Find Plans. Medicare reimbursement is the process by which a doctor or health facility receives funds for providing medical services to a Medicare beneficiary. However, Medicare enrollees may also need to file claims for reimbursement if they receive care from a provider that does not accept assignment.

How can I reduce my Medicare premiums?

How Can I Reduce My Medicare Premiums?File a Medicare IRMAA Appeal. ... Pay Medicare Premiums with your HSA. ... Get Help Paying Medicare Premiums. ... Low Income Subsidy. ... Medicare Advantage with Part B Premium Reduction. ... Deduct your Medicare Premiums from your Taxes. ... Grow Part-time Income to Pay Your Medicare Premiums.

Why is Medicare called Easy Pay?

En español | Medicare calls the system Easy Pay because it lets beneficiaries have their monthly Part B premiums deducted from their bank accounts. But last month, 411,000 enrollees discovered that they'd paid two premiums, not one.

When is Medicare payment due for October?

Medicare actually bills its beneficiaries in advance, so the payment made Sept. 20 is for the October premium.

How to pay Medicare premiums?

Premiums for most Medicare recipients are deducted from their Social Security deposits. Otherwise, Medicare beneficiares have four methods to pay their bill: 1 Pay online by credit card or debit card at mymedicare.gov. 2 Pay directly from your savings or checking account by using your bank's online bill-paying service. Medicare can tell you what information you need to give to your bank. 3 Pay through Easy Pay. 4 Mail your payment to Medicare by check or money order. Include your payment coupon and send the money to: Medicare Premium Collection Center, P.O. Box 790355, St. Louis, MO 63179-0355.

Where to send Medicare payment to bank?

Mail your payment to Medicare by check or money order. Include your payment coupon and send the money to: Medicare Premium Collection Center, P.O. Box 790355, St. Louis, MO 63179-0355.

Did Medicare deduct Medicare Advantage premiums?

In June, about a quarter-million Medicare beneficiaries discovered that the Social Security Administration had not deducted the monthly premiums for Medicare Advantage and Part D prescription drug plans from their retirement benefits and did not send the money to the private insurance companies that run those plans.

My Medicare Premium Doubled This Year

My Medicare premium doubled this year. Since my wife and I file a joint tax return, her premium doubled, too. Medicare and Social Security are related in that they are both government programs designed to help seniors meet their spending and health needs in retirement, or in their golden age.

Now, It's Medicare's Turn To Pick Your Pocket

Well, Medicare has in fact instituted the very same means-testing idea. Until a few years ago, everyone paid the same monthly premium for their Medicare health coverage. Not anymore. Premiums are means-tested as well now. In 2016, we paid $104.90 per month, each. Last year we paid $134 per month in Medicare premiums, each.

Mope Or Act?

Some folks, when faced with difficulties or obstacles like these go into a funk. They'll mope around, look for pity from those around them, and sometimes become clinically depressed. This might cause them to freeze, like a deer in the headlights, and do nothing.

None Of That For Me

I try to play the hand that's dealt to me, the best I can manage. I analyze the situation and the wheels in my brain start spinning. How can I deal with this situation? How do I spin gold from straw? How can I turn this trash into treasure? Then, I act.

Free Health Club Membership

One silver lining we discovered in this debacle came directly from our Medicare Advantage health insurance plan. It began to offer a "Silver Sneakers" plan to all subscribers. We were offered the opportunity to join any of thousands of health clubs and gyms throughout the country. And we discovered five of them in our immediate neighborhood.

Next Course Of Action: Fill-The-Gap

I figured that between both increased health insurance premiums, higher co-pays to see doctors this year and higher co-pay drug costs, the increases altogether came to some $4000.00.

Fill-The-Gap With Dividends!

Since building and growing dividends for retirement is my specialty, I consulted my watch list, casting about for a good candidate to buy. Which stock would fit the bill to supply me with $1750 of additional dividends so that I could come out whole again. Which company would be best suited to pay for our increased health costs this year?

Medicare typically bills in 3-month increments, if you don't have your premiums automatically deducted from Social Security

Medicare helps pay for a variety of healthcare services, but it isn't free. Beneficiaries are responsible for a variety of Medicare costs, including monthly premiums, deductibles, and coinsurance or copayments.

Who Gets a Medicare Premium Bill?

The Medicare Premium Bill (CMS-500) goes to beneficiaries who pay Medicare directly for their Part A premium, Part B premium, or who owe the Part D Income-Related Monthly Adjustment Amount (IRMAA). Please note that, even if you collect Social Security, if you owe the Part D IRMAA, you must pay the surcharge directly to Medicare.

How Much Should Your Medicare Premium Bill Be?

How much your Medicare premiums cost depends on which parts of Medicare you have and whether you qualify for premium-free Part A.

How Do You Know if You Owe the Income-Related Monthly Adjustment Amount?

Using data from the Internal Revenue Service (IRS), the Social Security Administration (SSA) determines who owes the Income-Related Monthly Adjustment Amount. SSA will notify you if you owe IRMAA. This notification will include information about appealing the IRMAA decision.

Did You Delay Signing Up for Medicare?

If you delayed Medicare enrollment and did not qualify for a Special Enrollment Period (SEP), your monthly premiums may be higher due to late enrollment penalties.

What Is the Medicare Late Enrollment Penalty?

You may owe the late enrollment penalty for Part A, Part B, or Part D – or all three. How much you owe and how it's calculated depends on the part and how long you went without Medicare coverage.

Ways to Pay Your Medicare Premium Bill

Sign up for Medicare Easy Pay, which allows Medicare to automatically deduct your premiums from your personal savings or checking account.

How to contact Medicare about overdraft?

Beneficiaries may contact 1-800 -MEDICARE (800-633-4227), if verification that the issue occurred is needed.

How much is Medicare Part B?

Medicare Part B monthly premiums range from $135.50 per person for most people to $460.50 for those in the highest income bracket. People who are receiving Social Security retirement benefits have their Medicare premiums deducted from those monthly payments.

Do people on Medicare have to pay Social Security?

People who are older than 65 and on Medicare but aren’t receiving Social Security must pay the premiums directly. Many have it withdrawn automatically every month from their checking or savings account through Easy Pay. Everyone in that group was double-billed.

How Do I Pay My Premium?

For Part B, your premium will be taken out of your Social Security check once you start collecting on Social Security. Before that time, or if you don’t qualify for Social Security, you can pay your Part B premium online using a debit card, credit card, or a connected bank account.

What To Do If There Is A Medicare Billing Error, Or You Suspect One Occurred

Billions of dollars move around the government, hospitals, and the population’s collective pockets every year for Medicare coverage. Billing issues can arise from all this money moving hands. In fact, a 2017 report said that there were about $36 billion worth of billing errors that year.

What to do if your provider won't stop billing you?

If the medical provider won’t stop billing you, call Medicare at 1-800-MEDICARE (1-800-633-4227) . TTY users can call (877) 486-2048 . Medicare can confirm that you’re in the QMB Program. Medicare can also ask your provider to stop billing you, and refund any payments you’ve already made. 3.

How to contact CFPB about debt collection?

If you have a problem with a debt collector, you can submit a complaint online or call the CFPB at (855) 411-2372 . TTY/TDD users can call (855) 729-2372 . We'll forward your complaint to the debt collection company and work to get you a response from them.

Can you get a bill for QMB?

If you’re in the QMB Program and get a bill for charges Medicare covers: 1. Tell your provider or the debt collector that you're in the QMB Program and can’t be charged for Medicare deductibles, coinsurance, and copayments.

Is Medicare billed for QMB?

The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) has heard from people with Medicare who report being billed for covered services, even though they’re in the QMB program.

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