Published: October 6, 2026
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services is issuing a one-time $90 Part B premium rebate to 20.8 million eligible Original Medicare beneficiaries. Direct deposits begin arriving on or around October 8, followed by paper U.S. Treasury checks later in October. Qualification is restricted strictly to traditional Original Medicare Part B enrollees living in the U.S.; Medicare Advantage members, Medicaid premium assistance recipients, and those paying IRMAA surcharges are excluded.
On October 3, CMS announced a one-time $90 Part B premium rebate for 20.8 million eligible Original Medicare beneficiaries. The announcement has generated confusion around eligibility, whether the deposit is legitimate, and why many Medicare beneficiaries will not receive it.
To help clear up this confusion, United Medicare Advisors has prepared this guide to help you understand the payment details, eligibility criteria, and safety precautions.
Direct eligibility: Do I qualify for the $90 Medicare rebate?
Eligibility is tied to Original Medicare Part B. If you are a U.S. resident and enrolled in Medicare Part B, you are eligible. Medicare Advantage beneficiaries are not eligible. Furthermore, people receiving Medicaid assistance with their Part B premium or people paying an Income-Related Monthly Adjustment Amount (IRMAA) for their Part B premium are also excluded.
Eligibility table: See if you qualify
While the rebate provides direct relief to over 20 million Americans, important caveats exclude a portion of the broader Medicare population. Qualification is strictly restricted to traditional Original Medicare Part B enrollees living in the U.S., excluding those with state premium assistance or high-income earners.
| Coverage & Financial Status | Eligible for $90 Rebate? |
| Original Medicare Part B Enrollees (U.S. Residents) | Yes |
| Medicare Advantage (Part C) Members | No |
| Beneficiaries Receiving Medicaid Premium Assistance | No |
| Beneficiaries Paying IRMAA Surcharges | No |
What the $90 Medicare Rebate is — and what it isn’t
Please note that this is a one-time rebate.
- It is not a permanent Part B reduction.
- It is not a Medicare Advantage giveback.
- It is not a Social Security cost of living adjustment (COLA).
When are the Medicare rebate checks coming?
CMS describes the rebate payment as automatic rather than application-based; no action is required to claim your rebate.
- Most direct deposits are expected on or around October 8.
- Beneficiaries receiving paper Social Security checks — who do not have direct deposit — will get them later in October.
What do I do if I haven’t received my Medicare rebate?
If you still need help:
- Contact 1-800-MEDICARE for rebate eligibility questions.
- Contact Social Security for payment-status questions beginning October 15.
SCAM WARNING: Nobody should need banking or personal information to ‘release’ the payment. If you receive a phone call confirming banking information or personal information to get your rebate, hang up, and call Social Security directly or 1-800-MEDICARE.
Navigating sudden policy updates and understanding how federal changes affect your personal coverage can be overwhelming. Whether you are evaluating how Part B rules apply to your current plan or reviewing your overall Medicare coverage to ensure it still fits your health and financial goals, the team at United Medicare Advisors is always available to help answer your questions and guide you toward the right coverage decisions for your needs.
The $90 rebate is available to 20.8 million Americans in Original Medicare Part B who live in the U.S., do not receive Medicaid premium assistance, and do not pay an Income-Related Monthly Adjustment Amount (IRMAA).
No. Beneficiaries enrolled in Medicare Advantage (Part C) plans are not eligible for the $90 Medicare Improvement Fund premium rebate.
Most eligible beneficiaries will receive a $90 direct deposit on or around October 8, 2026. Beneficiaries without direct deposit will receive a paper Treasury check later in October.
No. Payment is automatic and no application is required. CMS warns that nobody needs to collect banking or personal information to release or process the payment.
