Congress has decided that higher-earning seniors should shoulder more of their Medicare costs and imposed surcharges for Parts B and D based on income. These surcharges are known as IRMAA, for Income-Related Monthly Adjustment Amounts. For many taxpayers, they are calculated by the Social Security Administration based on income-tax records and deducted from Social Security payments.
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.
Paying Extra for Medicare? See If You’re Due a Refund
The Medicare surcharge known as Irmaa can be a tough pill to swallow. But here’s a little-known workaround: Older Americans who have been hit by the added cost have a chance to appeal.
By Laura Saunders, The Wall Street Journal, Aug. 25, 2023
…
Technically, a refund request for one of the seven permitted reasons is known as a “new initial determination.” Submit form SSA-44 soon after getting the letter, says Casey Schwarz, an attorney with the Medicare Rights Center.
By contrast, a “reconsideration” is for adjustments that don’t fit into one of the seven categories, says Schreiber. She advises asking a Social Security staffer how to make such a request, and do it soon…
Remember that if both spouses are covered by Medicare, then each typically has to file for new determinations or appeals—even if they file a joint tax return.
Be organized and tenacious
Keep good records, including date, name of contact, case reference and issues discussed. If an action is promised by a specified date and doesn’t happen, follow up. [end quote]
To see what you are actually paying go to your MySocialSecurity account.
Wendy
