The Trump administration has announced that about 21 million Medicare Part B enrollees will receive a one-time $90 payment. The White House describes the money as a “premium rebate” aimed at helping beneficiaries with their Part B premiums. Officials say the payments will be sent automatically to eligible recipients beginning this week.
The payment will not go to everyone in Medicare. More than 70 million people are enrolled in Medicare overall, and nearly 63 million are in Part B, which covers general medical care and preventive services. That means a large share of beneficiaries will not receive the $90.
For 2026, the standard Part B premium is set at $202.90, an increase from $185 in 2025.
Who Is Excluded?
The $90 payment is limited to people enrolled in traditional Medicare Part B. Four groups are excluded:
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Beneficiaries who pay an income-related surcharge on their Part B premium, typically higher-income enrollees.
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People enrolled in a Medicare Savings Program, which can help lower-income beneficiaries pay or be reimbursed for Part B premium costs, sometimes through Medicaid.
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People in Medicare Advantage plans, even if they also pay a Part B premium.
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Beneficiaries who do not live in the United States.
When Will the Money Arrive?
Eligible beneficiaries do not need to apply. Those who receive payments by direct deposit should get the $90 from the Social Security Administration on or around Oct. 8. Beneficiaries without direct deposit will receive a paper check later in October at the mailing address registered with Medicare. The check will include the message: “Medicare Improvement Fund Payment; $90 Payment to Offset October Premium.”
For questions about eligibility, beneficiaries can call 800-MEDICARE (800-633-4227).
Analysts Say the Payment May Not Cover Rising Costs
Juliette Cubanski, director of Medicare policy at KFF, a nonprofit health policy organization, said the one-time payment may not do much to offset rising health care and everyday expenses. She noted that Part B annual premiums are expected to increase by $79 in 2027, which would use up most of the $90 payment.
The payments are coming from the $2 billion Medicare Improvement Fund. According to KFF, the payments will effectively drain the fund, which was established in 2008 to “make improvements” to original fee-for-service benefits under Part A or Part B.
Other Payments and a Campaign Promise
The Trump administration has also started sending $500 checks to roughly 1 million Americans whom the president says were overcharged for health insurance under the Affordable Care Act.
In addition, Trump recently made a campaign promise to issue a $5,000 check to “every adult citizen” in the U.S. if Republicans win control of the House of Representatives and the Senate in the 2026 midterm elections. The White House has previously referred to that proposed payment as a “Trump dividend.”