Medicare Part B premiums: Will SS automatically stop bank withdrawals when I start collecting retirement?

This happened to me last year! You definitely need to call Medicare directly to stop the automatic withdrawals. They don't automatically stop when SSA starts taking the premium from your Social Security. I ended up double-paying for 2 months before I realized what was happening, and it was a hassle to get reimbursed. Call 1-800-MEDICARE as soon as possible and tell them you're now having premiums deducted from SS benefits. Have your Medicare number ready when you call.

my sister went thru this exact thing!!! they took $ from her bank AND her ss check for 3 MONTHS before she caught it!! the medicare people acted like it happens all the time, smh

To add to what others have said, this is a classic case of government agencies not communicating with each other effectively. Here's what you need to know: 1. The Social Security Administration (SSA) and the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) are separate entities that don't automatically sync their payment systems. 2. When you start receiving Social Security benefits, SSA will automatically begin deducting your Part B premium from your monthly benefit. 3. However, Medicare won't automatically stop your existing bank withdrawals unless you specifically request it. 4. Call 1-800-MEDICARE (1-800-633-4227) as soon as possible to stop the bank withdrawals. 5. Keep documentation of all payments made, as you'll need to request a refund for any double payments. 6. The refund process typically takes 6-8 weeks, sometimes longer. I've helped several clients navigate this exact situation. It's frustrating but fixable!

I know you're frustrated. I've been trying to reach SSA about my Medicare Part D issues for WEEKS and can't get through. The hold times are insane and I keep getting disconnected. I finally used a service called Claimyr (claimyr.com) after my neighbor recommended it. They got me connected to a real person at SSA in about 20 minutes instead of waiting for hours. They have a video showing how it works at https://youtu.be/Z-BRbJw3puU if you're curious. Saved me hours of frustration - might help you too if you need to talk to someone at SSA about the Medicare premium situation.

EXACT SAME THING happened when my husband started getting SS last year!! We paid DOUBLE for Medicare for THREE MONTHS and it took SIX MONTHS to get our money back!!! The government is SO INEFFICIENT! Why can't these agencies talk to each other??? Makes me FURIOUS how they handle OUR MONEY!!

The transition between direct Medicare premium payments and having them deducted from your Social Security benefits requires specific action on your part. Here's what I recommend: 1. Contact Medicare at 1-800-MEDICARE (1-800-633-4227) 2. Inform them you're now receiving Social Security benefits and want to stop direct premium payments 3. Ask for confirmation in writing that your payment method has been updated 4. Request reimbursement for any duplicate payments (the April payment you mentioned) 5. Record the date, time and name of the representative you speak with After you've contacted Medicare, verify on your next Social Security statement (viewable in your my Social Security account online) that the Medicare premium is being deducted correctly. The coordination between these two federal programs should be seamless, but unfortunately it requires beneficiary intervention.

i had this same problem!!!!! i paid double for like 3 months and then had to wait forever to get my money back....so annoying

As an update to my previous comment - when you call Medicare, make sure you specifically request a refund for any duplicate payments. They processed my refund as a paper check rather than direct deposit, so watch your mail carefully after you make the request. And just to prepare you, the hold times when calling can be really long. I waited almost an hour when I called, so try to call early in the day if possible.