Trump Announces One-Time $90 Medicare Payment — Who Qualifies?
President Donald Trump announced on October 2 that more than 20 million Medicare beneficiaries will receive a one-time payment of $90. The money is intended to help cover Medicare Part B premiums. According to the White House, funding will come from the Medicare Improvement Fund, which received $2 billion from Congress.
Most Medicare Part B enrollees qualify, but the announcement includes two important exclusions. Beneficiaries whose premiums are already covered by Medicaid will not receive the payment. Those who pay an income-related premium surcharge, known as IRMAA, are also excluded. Eligibility therefore depends on each beneficiary’s premium arrangements.
Most eligible recipients are expected to receive the $90 through direct deposit in early October. People without direct deposit will instead receive a check mailed to the address registered with Medicare. The White House says those checks will also be sent in early October. The announcement does not specify an exact arrival date for every recipient.
This is a single payment to help with premium costs, rather than a recurring monthly benefit. Beneficiaries can check their eligibility by calling 1-800-MEDICARE at 1-800-633-4227. Questions about payment status should be directed to the Social Security Administration at 1-800-772-1213. These are the contact channels listed in the official announcement.