Why Would Social Security Stop Paying Medicare Part B?

Why Would Social Security Stop Paying Medicare Part B?

September 28, 202310 min read

Medicare Part B is the part of Medicare that covers medical services and supplies, such as doctor visits, lab tests, preventive care, and durable medical equipment. Medicare Part B is optional, but most people who are eligible for Medicare enroll in it to avoid paying higher premiums later.

How Do You Pay Your Medicare Premium Part B?

If you are enrolled in Medicare Part B, you have to pay a monthly premium for it. The amount of your premium depends on your income and whether you receive Social Security benefits or not.

If You Receive Social Security Benefits

If you receive Social Security retirement, disability, or survivor benefits, your Medicare Part B premium will be deducted automatically from your monthly benefit payment. This is the most convenient way to pay for your Part B coverage, as you don't have to worry about missing a payment or getting a bill from Medicare.

However, there are some situations where Social Security may stop paying your Medicare Part B premium or deduct a different amount from your benefit check. These include:

·        You start or stop receiving certain types of income that affect your premium amount, such as wages, self-employment income, interest, dividends, or pensions. You have to report any changes in your income to Social Security and the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) as soon as possible, so that they can adjust your premium accordingly.

·        You enroll in a Medicare Savings Program (MSP) that helps pay for some or all of your Medicare costs. If you qualify for an MSP, the state will pay your Part B premium for you and notify Social Security of the change. You will see a lower or no deduction for Part B on your benefit statement.

·        You enroll in a Medicare Advantage Plan (Part C) that includes Part B coverage. If you choose a Medicare Advantage Plan that has a $0 premium or a premium lower than the standard Part B Medicare premium deducted from social security. If you choose a plan that has a higher premium than the standard Part B premium, you will have to pay the difference directly to the plan.

·        You disenroll from Medicare Part B voluntarily or involuntarily. If you decide to cancel your Part B coverage or lose it due to non-payment of premiums, Social Security will stop deducting the premium from your benefit check. However, you may have to pay a late enrollment penalty if you want to rejoin Part B later.

If You Don't Receive Social Security Benefits

If you don't receive Social Security benefits, but are eligible for Medicare Part B, you have to pay your premium directly to Medicare every month. You can choose from several ways to pay your Medicare premiums, such as:

·        Signing up for Medicare Easy Pay, a free service that automatically deducts your premium from your bank account each month.

·        Paying by check, money order, credit card, or debit card using the payment coupon that comes with your bill from Medicare.

·        Paying online through your secure MyMedicare.gov account or the Medicare website.

·        Paying by phone using the automated system or speaking to a customer service representative.

If you don't pay your Part B premium on time, you may get a notice from Medicare that warns you of possible termination of your coverage. If you don't pay within 30 days of the due date, you may lose your Part B coverage and have to reapply during the General Enrollment Period (January 1 - March 31 each year). You may also have to pay a late enrollment penalty when you rejoin Part B.

How Can You Lower Your Medicare Part B Premium?

If you think that your Medicare Part B premium is too high or unaffordable, there are some options that may help you lower it or get assistance with paying it. These include:

·        Applying for a Medicare Savings Program (MSP) that helps pay for some or all of your Medicare costs. There are four types of MSPs: Qualified Medicare Beneficiary (QMB), Specified Low-Income Medicare Beneficiary (SLMB), Qualifying Individual (QI), and Qualified Disabled and Working Individuals (QDWI). Each program has different eligibility criteria based on your income and resources. If you qualify for an MSP, the state will pay your Part B premium for you and may also help with other Medicare costs.

·        Applying for Extra Help with Medicare prescription drug costs (Part D). If you have limited income and resources, you may qualify for Extra Help that helps pay for some or all of your Part D costs, such as premiums, deductibles, copayments, and coinsurance. Extra Help is also known as the Low-Income Subsidy (LIS).

·        Enrolling in a Medicare Supplement Plan (Medigap) that helps pay for some of the out-of-pocket costs that Original Medicare (Part A and Part B) doesn't cover, such as deductibles, coinsurance, and copayments. Some Medigap Plans also offer additional benefits, such as foreign travel emergency coverage or vision and dental care. Medigap Plans are sold by private insurance companies and have different premiums and benefits. You have to pay a monthly premium for your Medigap Plan in addition to your Part B premium.

·        Enrolling in a Medicare Advantage Plan (Part C) that includes Part B coverage and may offer lower premiums or additional benefits than Original Medicare. Medicare Advantage Plans are offered by private insurance companies and have different costs and coverage options. You have to pay a monthly premium for your Medicare Advantage Plan in addition to your Part B premium, unless your plan has a $0 premium or a premium lower than the standard Part B premium.

How Can You Change Your Medicare Coverage?

If you are not satisfied with your Medicare Part B coverage or want to switch to a different type of Medicare Plan, you have some opportunities to make changes during certain enrollment periods. These include:

·        The Initial Enrollment Period (IEP) that starts 3 months before you turn 65 or become eligible for Medicare because of a disability and ends every 3 months after. During this period, you can enroll in Medicare Part A and Part B for the first time or opt out of Part B if you don't want it.

·        The Special Enrollment Period (SEP) that allows you to enroll in or change your Medicare Part B coverage without penalty if you have certain life events, such as losing your group health plan coverage based on current employment or moving to a new service area. The length and timing of the SEP depends on the specific situation.

·        The General Enrollment Period (GEP) that runs from January 1 to March 31 each year and allows you to enroll in or rejoin Medicare Part B if you missed your IEP or SEP or voluntarily canceled your coverage. However, you may have to pay a late enrollment penalty and wait until July 1 for your coverage to start.

·        The Open Enrollment Period (OEP) that runs from October 15 to December 7 each year and allows you to make changes to your Medicare coverage, such as switching from Original Medicare to a Medicare Advantage Plan or vice versa, changing your Medicare Advantage Plan, or joining or dropping a Medicare prescription drug plan.

Conclusion

Medicare Part B is an important part of your health care coverage, but it comes with a monthly premium that you have to pay either through Social Security or directly to Medicare. There are some situations where Social Security may stop paying your Part B premium or deduct a different amount from your benefit check, such as changes in your income, enrollment in other Medicare Plans, or cancellation of your Part B coverage. There are also some options that may help you lower your Part B premium or get assistance with paying it, such as applying for an MSP, Extra Help, Medigap, or Medicare Advantage. You can also change your Part B coverage during certain enrollment periods if you want to switch to a different type of Medicare Plan.

We’re Here to Help

You do not have to spend hours reading articles on the internet to get answers to your Medicare questions. Give the licensed insurance agents at Bourgeois Insurance a Call at (985) 803-8999. You will get the answers you seek in a matter of minutes, with no pressure and no sales pitch. We are truly here to help.

FAQS

How do I pay my Medicare premiums if they are not deducted from my Social Security?

 If you do not receive Social Security benefits or Railroad Retirement Board benefits, you will get a bill from Medicare for your Part B (medical insurance) and Part D (prescription drug coverage) premiums. You can pay your Medicare premiums in several ways, such as by mail, online, or through Medicare Easy Pay.

How do I sign up for Part B if I have Part A coverage and disability benefits?

 If you have Part A (hospital insurance) coverage and receive Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) benefits, you are eligible to enroll in Medicare Part B. You can sign up for Part B during the General Enrollment Period (GEP), which runs from January 1 to March 31 each year. You can also sign up for Part B during a Special Enrollment Period (SEP) if you have certain insurance or employment situations.

How do I change my Medicare Plan if I am not happy with it?

 You can change your Medicare Plan during certain times of the year, depending on what type of plan you have. If you have Original Medicare (Part A and Part B), you can switch to a Medicare Advantage (Part C) Plan or a Medicare Supplement (Medigap) Plan during the Annual Enrollment Period (AEP), which runs from October 15 to December 7 each year.

How do I get details about my Medicare coverage and costs?

You can get details about your Medicare coverage and costs by logging into your MyMedicare.gov account online. You can also call 1-800-MEDICARE (1-800-633-4227) or contact your Medicare Plan directly. You can also use the Medicare Plan Finder tool to compare different plans and costs in your area.

How do I qualify for Medicare Savings Programs (MSPs)? 

Medicare Savings Programs (MSPs) are state programs that help pay some or all of your Medicare premiums, deductibles, coinsurance, and copayments.

How do I get Part A if I am not eligible for premium-free Medicare? 

If you are not eligible for premium-free Medicare Part A because you or your spouse did not work enough in a job that paid Social Security taxes, you may be able to purchase Medicare Part A coverage. To do so, you must be at least 65 years old, a U.S. citizen or a legal resident, and enrolled in Medicare Part B.

How do I get a new Medicare card if I lost mine?

If you lost your Medicare card, you can request a new one online through your Social Security account. You can also call Social Security at 1-800-772-1213 or visit your local Social Security office. You should receive your new card in the mail within 30 days.

How do I enroll in Medicare Part D if I have Original Medicare? 

If you have Original Medicare and want to get prescription drug coverage, you need to enroll or get Medicare Part D Plan offered by a private insurance company. 

How do I get help with Part D costs if I have low income?

If you have low income and limited resources, you may qualify for Extra Help, a federal program that helps pay for some or most of the costs of your Part D Plan.

How do I avoid paying a penalty for late enrollment in Medicare?

You can avoid paying a penalty for late enrollment in Medicare by signing up for Part A and Part B when you are first eligible. If you are not eligible for premium-free Part A, you can avoid the Part A penalty by buying Part A within 12 months of becoming eligible.

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