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Medicare

If My Benefit Amount Goes Up Due To Additional Earnings, Will It Affect My Medicare Premium Rate?

I started medicare in 2016, but was not on SS yet. My medicare premium went up 10% in 2017 because I was not "held harmless". I am eligible for SS Oct 2017, and will qualify for the "held harmless" rule then. BUT my question is, if I continue to work after receiving SS, then my SS amount will go up by about 3% each year I keep working. My working will not cause me to go into another IRMMA bracket. If they have a COLA of 1% then my medicare premium could go up by 1% - HOWEVER will they also increase my medicare premium to include my Increased SS amount of 3%?

Posted: 
Monday, February 20, 2017 - 08:15

Should The Hold-Harmless Provision Apply In My Case?

Should The Part B Premium Hold-Harmless Provision Apply In My Case?

In follow-up, since there was a retroactive adjustment to my Medicare Part B premium in 2016 because of the change in my social security benefit amount based upon prior work credit, and the SSA manual for VSMI premiums does mention exemptions related to retroactive benefit increases resulting from work, should this rule be applicable?

Please advise.

Hi,

Posted: 
Thursday, February 16, 2017 - 07:45

Should The Part B Premium Hold-Harmless Provision Apply In My Case?

I have been receiving social security benefits since 2014. During 2015 my Medicare Part B premium was $104.90/mo. This rate was maintained during 2016, but then SSA changed it later in the year whereby I ended up paying the standard rate of $121.80/mo for all of 2016.

Even thought I did not exceed the income threshold, had Medicare premiums taken from my social security benefit each month since Dec 2014, and of course did not receive a COLA in 2016, I was not protected from an increase.

Posted: 
Tuesday, February 14, 2017 - 06:30

How Can I Pay My Medicare Premiums After I Start Receiving Benefits?

I am currently on Medicare AB&D plus a Medigap G Plan. I am currently NOT collecting social security. I understand that once you begin collecting SS you can have your Medicare premium payments automatically deducted from your SS check. Does that include D and my G plan or just B? Also, can you elect to have none of the premiums dedicated from your check and continue to make those payments yourself?

Hi,

Posted: 
Monday, February 13, 2017 - 07:30

Does The Hold-Harmless Rule Limiting Medicare Premium Increases Apply If Your Benefits Are Suspended?

My husband started taking social security at age 62. He turned 68 on Dec 31, 2016. He wants to suspend his benefits and have them start up again at age 70. My question is: Will his Medicare part B premium be apx the same amount when he starts getting checks again at age 70? As of now it is $109 a month. Does the hold harmless still apply while benefits are suspended or will he be charged the current Medicare premium when he turns 70 in Dec 2019.

Hi,

Posted: 
Friday, February 10, 2017 - 07:00

Should I File An Appeal?

Just received Feb 2nd notification my February SS would be reduced by $99.90. Reason, deducting past due premiums. I've made no changes. Seems odd. Do I think they are wrong they ask. This is the 1st time in 5 years for this to happen. Should I appeal? What past due premium is it? Thank you for your help.
Bob

Hi Bob,

Posted: 
Friday, February 3, 2017 - 12:45
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