Medicare Improvement Fund Premium Rebate
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What will the Medicare Improvement Fund do for Medicare beneficiaries?
A: The Administration is making a $90 Premium Rebate available for Part B premiums to certain Medicare beneficiaries because the best way to improve Medicare is to put healthcare dollars back where they belong – in the hands of our Medicare beneficiaries – and make coverage more affordable.
Q: How much is the Medicare Improvement Fund Premium Rebate and when will beneficiaries receive it?
A: Eligible beneficiaries will receive one $90 rebate in October 2026. Most beneficiaries will receive a direct deposit for $90 on or around October 8th followed by an email or a letter from the President in mid-October. Some beneficiaries will receive a paper check for $90 from the U.S. Department of the Treasury later in October with the following accompanying message “Medicare Improvement Fund Payment; $90 Payment to Offset October Premium.”
Q: Who will receive the Medicare Improvement Fund Premium Rebate?
A: The 20.8 million Americans in Original Medicare Part B who are: (1) Living in the United States, are (2) not receiving premium assistance from Medicaid; or, (3) not paying an Income-Related Monthly Adjustment Amount. Beneficiaries enrolled in Medicare Advantage are not eligible.
Q: How will eligible Medicare beneficiaries receive the Medicare Improvement Fund Premium Rebate?
A: The vast majority of eligible Medicare beneficiaries will receive the Medicare Improvement Fund Premium Rebate via direct deposit from the Social Security Administration. Those without direct deposit will receive a check to the mailing address they have registered with Medicare.
Q: How can I check if I am eligible for the Medicare Improvement Fund Premium Rebate or if the Premium Rebate has been delivered?
A: Beneficiaries enrolled in Medicare Part B who are not receiving premium assistance through Medicaid or do not pay an Income-Related Monthly Adjustment Amount can call 1-800-MEDICARE (1-800-633-4227) to check on their eligibility for the premium rebate. Beneficiaries who want to check on the status of their payment should call the Social Security Administration at 1-800-772-1213 beginning on October 15, 2026.
Q: What is the Medicare Improvement Fund?
A: The Medicare Improvement Fund was created by Sec. 7002 of the Supplemental Appropriations Act of 2008 “to make improvements under the original fee-for-service program under parts A and B for individuals entitled to, or enrolled for, benefits under part A or enrolled under part B.”[1]
Q: How has the Medicare Improvement Fund been used in the past?
A: President Trump is the first president to actually use the Medicare Improvement Fund to improve Medicare by making the program more affordable for enrollees. In the past, Congress has repeatedly withdrawn from the fund to “offset” new spending around 20 times.[2] For instance, President Obama worked with Congress to take $20.7 billion from the Medicare Improvement Fund to help pay for Obamacare in 2010.[3]
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