The White House announced a one-time $90 payment to about 20.8 million Medicare Part B enrollees, funded from the Medicare Improvement Fund created in 2008. CMS said most qualifying beneficiaries should receive direct deposits around Oct. 8, with paper checks mailed later in October for those without direct deposit. The payment excludes Medicaid-covered premiums, higher-income IRMAA beneficiaries, those living abroad, and Medicare Advantage enrollees, and will cover only part of the projected $202.90 monthly Part B premium in 2026.
Trump Announces One-Time $90 Medicare Part B Payment for 20.8 Million Seniors
Trump is sending $90 one-time payments to more than 20 million Medicare seniors hero image
President Donald Trump announced that the federal government will issue a one-time $90 payment to about 20.8 million people enrolled in Medicare Part B to help offset higher monthly premiums.
Where the Money Comes From
The White House said the payments will be drawn from the Medicare Improvement Fund, which Congress created in 2008 and initially funded with $2 billion to support improvements to Medicare's fee-for-service program. According to the administration, no previous administration has used this fund to make direct payments to beneficiaries.
Who Qualifies
Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) estimates roughly 20.8 million Part B enrollees qualify for the one-time payment. The payment intentionally excludes several groups: beneficiaries whose premiums are paid by Medicaid, higher-income beneficiaries subject to Income-Related Monthly Adjustment Amounts (IRMAA), people living abroad, and those enrolled in Medicare Advantage plans.
How and When Payments Will Be Delivered
CMS said most qualifying beneficiaries should receive a $90 direct deposit around Oct. 8. Those who have not set up direct deposit will be mailed a paper check to the address Medicare has on file; those checks are scheduled to go out later in October.
How Much It Offsets
The standard Medicare Part B premium is projected to be $202.90 per month in 2026, so the $90 one-time payment covers only a portion of a single month’s premium.
Context
President Trump announced the move on Truth Social, saying the administration was moving to send the payments "immediately." Media reports noted the announcement comes just ahead of the start of Medicare Advantage open enrollment. The White House also clarified these $90 payments are separate from $500 refunds the administration sent last month to nearly 1 million Affordable Care Act enrollees.
Questions
Seniors with questions about eligibility can contact Medicare at 1-800-MEDICARE (1-800-633-4227). Beneficiaries who want an update on payment timing may contact the Social Security Administration at 1-800-772-1213; that line will accept payment inquiries beginning Oct. 15.
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