Prescription Drug Coverage
- by Christian Worstell
- November 27, 2023
- Reviewed by John Krahnert
In many cases, you can have your Medicare premiums deducted from your Social Security check. Learn more and find out how to set up automatic Medicare deductions from your monthly Social Security benefits.
Medicare beneficiaries have a few different options for paying their Medicare premiums. And one of those involves having your premiums deducted straight from your Social Security check.
Learn which types of Medicare insurance premiums may be deducted from Social Security, and find out some additional ways to pay.
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Is Medicare deducted from Social Security?
Yes, if you get Social Security benefits, Medicare can be automatically deducted from your SSI check. Original Medicare is made up of Part A (hospital insurance) and Part B (medical insurance). This is the federally administered portion of Medicare.
Medicare Part A premiums may not be deducted from Social Security benefits, but most people do not pay a premium for their Part A coverage.
- Beneficiaries who paid Medicare taxes for at least 40 quarters qualify for premium-free Medicare Part A.
- Only beneficiaries who have not paid Medicare taxes for at least 40 quarters (10 years) must pay a premium for Part A.
Medicare Part B premiums can be deducted from Social Security benefits, however. Part B premiums may also be deducted from Railroad Retirement Board benefits.
If you are enrolled in Part B and are collecting Social Security benefits, Medicare will automatically deduct your Part B premiums from your Social Security check. This prevents you from having to pay your premium manually.
If you qualify for premium-free Part A, you won’t owe any monthly premium for Part A, and you can still have your Part B premium deducted from your Social Security check.
One additional benefit to having your Part B premium deducted from your Social Security check is that it activates the hold harmless provision that protects you from having your Social Security check reduced if the annual increase in the premium is higher than Social Security’s cost-of-living adjustment (COLA).
If your Part B premium is not automatically deducted from your Social Security check, you risk having your Social Security benefits lose value if the Part B premium increase is higher than the COLA amount for the year.
There are some exceptions to the hold harmless provision however, such as those who pay more for Part B because of a Medicare IRMAA, those who have their premium paid by a state Medicaid agency and those who are in their first year of Part B enrollment.
Can you have Medicare Advantage and Medicare Part D premiums deducted from Social Security?
Medicare Advantage (Medicare Part C) plans and Medicare Part D prescription drug plans are sold by private insurance carriers. These plans are partially funded by the federal government, however, and it is still possible to have the premiums deducted from your Social Security benefits.
The ability to have Medicare Advantage and Medicare Part D premiums deducted from your Social Security benefits may not be offered by every insurance company, so check with your plan carrier directly for more information.
How else can you pay Medicare premiums?
Having your Medicare premiums deducted from your Social Security benefits is one easy way to make your payments, but it’s far from the only way of taking care of your Medicare costs.
You may also pay your premiums online using your MyMedicare account. When logged into your account, you may use a credit or debit card or a bank account number to facilitate a premium payment.
Another way to pay your Medicare premiums online is through your bank. If your bank offers an online payment portal for bills, you may be able to pay your Medicare premiums this way.
Medicare Easy Pay is a service that allows you to set up automatic withdrawals from your bank account or a credit or debit card to pay your Medicare premiums.
Lastly, you may pay your Medicare premiums by mail using the paper bill you receive in the mail along with a check, money order or credit or debit card number.
Speak with a licensed insurance agent
1-800-557-6059
About the author
Christian Worstell is a senior Medicare and health insurance writer with MedicareAdvantage.com. He is also a licensed health insurance agent. Christian is well-known in the insurance industry for the thousands of educational articles he’s written, helping Americans better understand their health insurance and Medicare coverage.
Christian’s work as a Medicare expert has appeared in several top-tier and trade news outlets including Forbes, MarketWatch, WebMD and Yahoo! Finance.
Christian has written hundreds of articles for MedicareAvantage.com that teach Medicare beneficiaries the best practices for navigating Medicare. His articles are read by thousands of older Americans each month. By better understanding their health care coverage, readers may hopefully learn how to limit their out-of-pocket Medicare spending and access quality medical care.
Christian’s passion for his role stems from his desire to make a difference in the senior community. He strongly believes that the more beneficiaries know about their Medicare coverage, the better their overall health and wellness is as a result.
A current resident of Raleigh, Christian is a graduate of Shippensburg University with a bachelor’s degree in journalism.
If you’re a member of the media looking to connect with Christian, please don’t hesitate to email our public relations team at Mike@tzhealthmedia.com.
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As a seasoned healthcare professional specializing in Medicare and health insurance, my expertise spans various aspects of Medicare coverage, including premiums, deductions, and payment methods. I have a comprehensive understanding of how Medicare operates and the intricacies involved in premium payments, drawing from my extensive experience working in the insurance industry and providing guidance to beneficiaries.
The article you've provided delves into the relationship between Medicare premiums and Social Security benefits, shedding light on the deduction process, different Medicare parts, and payment alternatives. Here's a breakdown of the concepts covered:
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Medicare Parts A and B Premiums:
- Medicare Part A premiums, while generally not deducted from Social Security benefits, are typically premium-free for individuals who have contributed Medicare taxes for at least 40 quarters (10 years). Those who haven't met this requirement may have to pay a premium.
- Medicare Part B premiums are deductible from Social Security benefits, ensuring automatic payment for individuals enrolled in Part B and receiving Social Security benefits. This deduction can also trigger the hold harmless provision, protecting against decreases in Social Security checks due to higher Part B premium increases.
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Hold Harmless Provision:
- This provision safeguards Social Security benefits if the annual increase in Medicare Part B premiums surpasses the cost-of-living adjustment (COLA) for Social Security. However, certain exceptions exist, including Medicare IRMAA (Income-Related Monthly Adjustment Amount), state Medicaid payment of premiums, and individuals in their initial Part B enrollment year.
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Medicare Advantage (Part C) and Part D Premiums:
- While these plans are offered by private insurance carriers, premiums for Medicare Advantage and Part D plans can also be deducted from Social Security benefits. However, not all insurance companies might offer this option, necessitating direct inquiry with the plan provider.
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Alternative Payment Methods for Medicare Premiums:
- Aside from Social Security deductions, beneficiaries have various payment methods available:
- MyMedicare account allows online premium payments via credit/debit cards or bank account transfers.
- Some banks offer online portals for bill payments, enabling Medicare premium payments.
- Medicare Easy Pay facilitates automatic withdrawals from bank accounts or cards for premium payments.
- Traditional payment by mail using a check, money order, or card details provided with the paper bill sent to beneficiaries.
- Aside from Social Security deductions, beneficiaries have various payment methods available:
The author, Christian Worstell, is a respected senior Medicare and health insurance writer with extensive experience in educating older Americans about their health coverage. His contributions to reputable outlets and thousands of educational articles signify his commitment to empowering beneficiaries with essential Medicare knowledge.
In summary, the article underscores the interplay between Medicare premiums and Social Security benefits, detailing deductions, exceptions, and alternative payment methods, all aimed at assisting Medicare beneficiaries in managing their healthcare expenses effectively.
