What you need to know about the Medicare Part B giveback.
When it comes to choosing a Medicare plan, you want great coverage at a price that works for you. Good news — many of our Medicare Advantage plans offer $0 premiums. Some may even put money back in your Social Security check each month if they include a Medicare Part B giveback.
Keep reading to learn more about this giveback.
What is a Medicare Part B giveback?
A giveback can put money back in your wallet each month. It’s like a rebate — you get money back just for being a member of the plan. This benefit can also be referred to as “Social Security giveback,” “Part B premium reduction,” “Part B giveback,” or even just “money back in your Social Security check.”
Who’s eligible?
Eligibility depends on where you live, as well as the type of Medicare coverage you have. To qualify for the giveback, you must:
- Be enrolled in Medicare Parts A and B.
- Pay your own premiums (if a state or local program is covering your premiums, you’re not eligible).
- Live in a service area of a plan that offers a Part B giveback.
You can check your eligibility by reviewing your plan’s Summary of Benefits or Evidence of Coverage, which will list your giveback amount if you qualify.
How will I be reimbursed?
A giveback can cover anywhere from 10 cents up to $100 in 2023. The amount you receive, if any, will depend on your location and plan. The giveback can be applied to your Social Security check or — if you don’t currently receive Social Security benefits — directly to your Part B premium.
For example, say your Social Security check is $1,400 and you qualify for a $25 giveback. Oncethe giveback is applied, the amount deducted from your Social Security check for your Part B premium will be $25 lower. This will increase your Social Security check to $1,425. If you’re not collecting Social Security and you pay your Part B premium directly to Medicare, your monthly premium will simply be reduced by $25.
When will I get it?
If you’re eligible, you don’t have to do anything to activate your giveback; the monthly amount will be applied to your Social Security checks or Medicare Part B premium. However, if you recently switched to a new plan with a giveback, it could take a few months to kick in.
When it does, you’ll be reimbursed for each month you weren’t compensated since joining your new plan. Once you're enrolled in a plan with a Part B giveback, you'll receive the giveback amount monthly either in your Social Security check, or as a "discount" on your Part B premium.
Is it worth a switch?
If your current plan doesn’t include a giveback, you may be considering switching to a different plan that offers one. But keep in mind that a larger giveback doesn’t necessarily indicate a better plan. First and foremost, you should look for a cost-effective plan that covers:
- Your medications
- Preventive care
- In-network doctors, specialists, and pharmacists
- Any other benefits, like dental or vision, that are important to you
These services can come with high out-of-pockets costs, so a plan that doesn’t cover them won’t be worth it – even if it offers a large giveback. However, if you find a plan that checks all your boxes and includes a giveback, then the extra money each month is a bonus.
FAQs
How do you qualify to get $144 back from Medicare? ›
- Be enrolled in Medicare Parts A and B.
- Pay your own premiums (if a state or local program is covering your premiums, you're not eligible).
- Live in a service area of a plan that offers a Part B giveback.
The Medicare Give Back Benefit is a program that offers Medicare Advantage participants a reduction on some or all of their Medicare Part B monthly premiums. This benefit is available to anyone who lives in an area where a Medicare Give Back plan is offered.
Is Medicare Part B giveback real? ›What is the Medicare Part B Giveback Benefit? The Medicare Giveback Benefit is a Part B premium reduction offered by some Medicare Part C (Medicare Advantage) plans . If you enroll in a Medicare Advantage plan with this benefit, the plan carrier will pay some or all of your Part B monthly premium.
Who qualifies for Part B giveback? ›You must be paying for your Medicare to receive the Give Back Benefit. This simply means that if your premiums are covered by a state or local program, then you won't qualify for a plan with a Give Back Benefit. For example, if you're on both Medicare and Medicaid, then you are not eligible.
How do I get my Medicare Part B 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 I get the $16728 Social Security bonus? ›Have you heard about the Social Security $16,728 yearly bonus? There's really no “bonus” that retirees can collect. The Social Security Administration (SSA) uses a specific formula based on your lifetime earnings to determine your benefit amount.
How does the Part B reimbursement work? ›While you don't technically get money back, you do pay the reduced premium amount, which keeps dollars in your wallet. If your premium comes out of your Social Security check, your premium payment will reflect the lower amount.
What is the Medicare giveback benefit for 2023? ›Give back benefits can cover up to $164.90 per month in 2023, which is the full Part B monthly premium for most people. However, many plans offer less than the full Part B premium. You may be able to select a plan that offers $50 or $100 back each month.
Why do some zip codes get more Medicare benefits? ›Why does my zip code matter for Medicare? Your zip code matters for Medicare because plan options change depending on your location. Also, Medicare Advantage plan networks depend on the private insurance company providing care to each client. Zip code is vital in terms of Medicare program eligibility.
Will Medicare Part B premiums increase in 2023? ›The standard monthly premium for Medicare Part B enrollees will be $164.90 for 2023, a decrease of $5.20 from $170.10 in 2022. The annual deductible for all Medicare Part B beneficiaries is $226 in 2023, a decrease of $7 from the annual deductible of $233 in 2022.
How to reduce Medicare Part B premium? ›
If you've had a life-changing event that reduced your household income, you can ask to lower the additional amount you'll pay for Medicare Part B and Part D. Life-changing events include marriage, divorce, the death of a spouse, loss of income, and an employer settlement payment.
Do I have to pay Part B premium with Medicare Advantage? ›In addition to your Part B premium, you usually pay a monthly premium for the Medicare Advantage Plan. In 2023, the standard Part B premium amount is $164.90 (or higher depending on your income). If you need a service that the plan says isn't medically necessary, you may have to pay all the costs of the service.
What zip codes qualify for money back on Medicare? ›Your zip code is all you need to check. However, ALL zip codes are eligible for this benefit in the United States. So, if you or someone you know is enrolled in Medicare and struggling to pay Part B premiums each month, the Medicare Part B Giveback Benefit may be able to help.
Who is exempt from paying Medicare Part B? ›A person does not have to sign up for Medicare Part B when they turn age 65, providing they have creditable insurance coverage. Creditable coverage provides at least the same coverage level as Medicare, and people usually obtain it through an employer.
What are Medicare Part B benefits? ›Medicare Part B helps cover medically-necessary services like doctors' services and tests, outpatient care, home health services, durable medical equipment, and other medical services. Part B also covers some preventive services. Look at your Medicare card to find out if you have Part B.
Who qualifies for Medicare Part B premium reimbursement? ›How do I know if I am eligible for Part B reimbursement? You must be a retired member or qualified survivor who is receiving a pension and is eligible for a health subsidy, and enrolled in both Medicare Parts A and B.
How do I get $144 added back to my Social Security check every month? ›To qualify for a Medicare giveback benefit, you must be enrolled in Medicare Part A and B. You must be responsible for paying the Part B Premiums; you should not rely on state government or other local assistance for your Part B premiums.
What zip codes get money back on Social Security? ›Social security benefits are not impacted by geographic location but other federal benefits are. We took a look at these programs and how benefits vary.