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Toni:

            My Medicare begins March 1, and I have received my first bill. This bill is for four months, from March 1 to June 30. I thought Medicare was monthly. If I pay this amount, then I cannot pay my rent for March.

            This bill for Medicare is due February 25,  and I was wondering if Medicare allows payments for Medicare   Part B premium monthly? I cannot start my Social Security check because I work and make more         than Social Security allows without having to pay a penalty because I am not at my full retirement age (FRA) Jackie, St. Louis, Mo

Jackie:

You are correct that Americans are paying their Medicare premiums monthly by having the premium taken from their Social Security check. Social Security will automatically take the Medicare premiums from a person’s Social Security check. Social Security will send a letter informing the Medicare beneficiary that Social Security is deducting the monthly Medicare Part B premiums from your Social Security check.

Google “Medicare Easy Pay” to pay your Medicare premiums monthly from your checking account or visit www.medicare.gov and you can research topics such as how to download and properly set up Medicare Easy Pay.

As an alternative to using the Internet to research options on Google, get help from a family member or friend that has access to a computer and ask them to assist you in downloading the Medicare Easy Pay form.

It may take about six to eight weeks to have the “Medicare Easy Pay” form processed. You should make sure       that you keep up with your monthly premiums, so your Medicare Parts A and B are not terminated. A simple way to pay a monthly premium or your complete Medicare premium bill by credit card until the Medicare Easy Pay form is activated is by visiting www.Medicare.com and create a Medicare account.

When creating a Medicare account, you must have applied for Medicare and have your Medicare number to open your account. On your Medicare account is your Medicare information such as:

• What Medicare Part D prescription drug plan or Medicare Advantage plan you are enrolled in.
• What your Medicare Part A and B enrollment dates are.
• What you can view on your “Medicare.gov” account is paying your Medicare premium, Medicare claims, print your Medicare card and much more.

If one does not stay current with their Medicare premiums, then the Medicare Beneficiary might lose their benefits and may be charged a penalty when they re-enroll. When                    someone does not have the required 40 working quarters to qualify for Medicare or are married with a spouse that does have the 40 quarters, then they may also have to pay a premium for Part A which is expensive.

One can pay their Medicare prescription drug premium either directly to the prescription drug company by check or credit card. Once one begins receiving their Social Security check, then both Medicare Part B and Part D prescription drug premiums can be taken from their Social Security check.

Many do not realize that they can pay their Part B premiums monthly when not receiving their Social Security check by following the rules set up by Medicare. Take your time and     study this Medicare rule.

 

Confused about Medicare Zoom webinar is Thursday February 10 at 4 p.m. Visit www.tonisays.com to sign up for Toni’s online webinar event. The new 2022 Medicare Survival Guide® Advanced edition is now available at www.tonisays.com with a $5 discount to Toni Says® readers.