Q1Medicare.com
Powered by Q1Group LLC
Powered by Q1Group LLC
Education and Decision Support Tools for the Medicare Community
  • ☰ MENU
  • Home
  • Contact
  • MAPD
  • PDP
  • 2018
  • FAQs
  • Articles
  • Contact
  • 2018
  • FAQs
  • Articles
  • Latest Medicare News

FAQs on IRMAA: Higher Incomes and Costs

Browse the Most Viewed and Newest Medicare Part D FAQs
If you still have questions, please contact us through our Online Help Desk.

Category: IRMAA: Higher Incomes and Costs
Back To FAQ Home
Browse All (14) FAQs in Category
Most Viewed FAQs in Category
• How does the Income-Related Monthly Adjustment Amount (or IRMAA) affect me and my Medicare plan premiums?
If you are paying IRMAA (the Income-Related Monthly Adjustment Amount), this means that, based on your income, you will pay higher premiums for your Medicare Part B and Medicare Part D coverage.As not...

• What is the Income-Related Monthly Adjustment Amount (or IRMAA)?
If you are a person who has higher annual earnings, the Income-Related Monthly Adjustment Amount (or IRMAA) is an additional amount that you pay for your monthly Medicare Part D prescription drug plan...

• How is the income-related monthly adjustment amount or IRMAA affected if my income goes down?
You can ask the Social Security Administration to reconsider your income-related monthly adjustment amount or IRMAA. As noted by the Social Security Administration:  If your income has gone d...

• How does the Social Security Administration (SSA) determine whether I pay a higher Medicare Part B and Medicare Part D premium?
Your most recent Federal income tax returns are used to determine whether you pay an income-related monthly adjustment amount or IRMAA - however, this means that your current IRMAA is determined by yo...

• What can I do if I do not agree with the Social Security Administration's income-related monthly adjustment amount or IRMAA assessment?
You have the right to appeal the Social Security Administration's income-related monthly adjustment amount or IRMAA assessment.As noted by the Social Security Administration:If you disagree with the d...

• Can I be assessed an Income Related Monthly Adjustment Amount (IRMAA) for Medicare Part D if I am enrolled in a Medicare Advantage (MAPD) plan?
Yes.   If your annual income exceeds certain limits - and you are enrolled in a Medicare Advantage plan (HMO, PPO, or PFFS) that includes prescription drug coverage  (MAPD), then your M...

• Which Federal income tax return is used by the Social Security Administration to determine whether I have an income-related monthly adjustment amount for my Medicare Part B and Medicare Part D?
Your most recent Federal income tax return will be used to determine whether you are subject to an income-related monthly adjustment amount or IRMAA. The Social Security Administration adds more de...

• Can I be disenrolled from my Medicare prescription drug plan if I refuse to pay my Medicare Part D IRMAA?
Yes.  If you are a Medicare beneficiary who earns a higher income, you can be assessed an Income-Related Monthly Adjustment Amount (IRMAA) that must be paid in addition to your Medicare Part D...

• I have VA benefits and do not need Medicare Part D, so am I being charged $53.50 for IRMAA when I am not even enrolled in a Part D plan?
No.  You are not being charged for Medicare Part D IRMAA, but rather only Medicare Part B IRMAA. Income-Related Monthly Adjustments Amounts (IRMAA) are charged to Medicare beneficiaries who ...

• Can you provide an example of how the income-related monthly adjustment amounts or IRMAA apply to my Medicare Part B and Medicare Part D prescription drug plan premiums?
The standard Medicare Part B premium for 2018 is $134.00.  If you are single and filed an individual tax return, or married and filed a joint tax return, the following chart applies to you: ...

Newest FAQs in Category
• I stopped working and now earn less than the IRMAA threshold, can I ask Social Security to reconsider my IRMAA premiums?
Yes. If  your income has changed and moved you to a lower income-related monthly adjustment amount (IRMAA) bracket, you should consider filing an appeal to have your IRMAA premiums reconsidered...

• How does the Income-Related Monthly Adjustment Amount (or IRMAA) affect me and my Medicare plan premiums?
If you are paying IRMAA (the Income-Related Monthly Adjustment Amount), this means that, based on your income, you will pay higher premiums for your Medicare Part B and Medicare Part D coverage.As not...

• Can I be assessed an Income Related Monthly Adjustment Amount (IRMAA) if I am enrolled in my employer's Medicare Part D plan?
Yes.  If your annual income (MAGI) exceeds certain limits - and you are enrolled in an employer-sponsored Medicare Part D prescription drug plan (PDP) or Medicare Advantage plan with prescriptio...

• Can I be assessed an Income Related Monthly Adjustment Amount (IRMAA) for Medicare Part D if I am enrolled in a Medicare Advantage (MAPD) plan?
Yes.   If your annual income exceeds certain limits - and you are enrolled in a Medicare Advantage plan (HMO, PPO, or PFFS) that includes prescription drug coverage  (MAPD), then your M...

• Can I be disenrolled from my Medicare prescription drug plan if I refuse to pay my Medicare Part D IRMAA?
Yes.  If you are a Medicare beneficiary who earns a higher income, you can be assessed an Income-Related Monthly Adjustment Amount (IRMAA) that must be paid in addition to your Medicare Part D...

• How do I pay my Medicare Part D IRMAA or Income-Related Monthly Adjustment Amount?
Your monthly Medicare Part D IRMAA (Income-Related Monthly Adjustment Amount) charges will be deducted automatically from your Social Security check.  If the amount of your Social Security check ...

• I have VA benefits and do not need Medicare Part D, so am I being charged $53.50 for IRMAA when I am not even enrolled in a Part D plan?
No.  You are not being charged for Medicare Part D IRMAA, but rather only Medicare Part B IRMAA. Income-Related Monthly Adjustments Amounts (IRMAA) are charged to Medicare beneficiaries who ...

• Can I be assessed Medicare Part D IRMAA if I am no longer enrolled in a Medicare prescription drug plan.
No.  You should not pay an Income Related Monthly Adjustment Amount (IRMAA) for Medicare Part D if you are not enrolled in a Medicare Part D plan. As noted by the Centers for Medicare and Med...

• How does the Social Security Administration (SSA) determine whether I pay a higher Medicare Part B and Medicare Part D premium?
Your most recent Federal income tax returns are used to determine whether you pay an income-related monthly adjustment amount or IRMAA - however, this means that your current IRMAA is determined by yo...

• Which Federal income tax return is used by the Social Security Administration to determine whether I have an income-related monthly adjustment amount for my Medicare Part B and Medicare Part D?
Your most recent Federal income tax return will be used to determine whether you are subject to an income-related monthly adjustment amount or IRMAA. The Social Security Administration adds more de...

Back To FAQ Home
Browse All (14) FAQs in Category



Advertisement

Medicare Supplements
fill the gaps in your
Original Medicare
1. Enter Your ZIP Code:
» Medicare Supplement FAQs

Advertisement

Browse Categories
Q&A of the Day
Help! Where Do I Start?
General Medicare Part D (PDPs and MAPDs)
Medicare Advantage Plans (MAPD)
Medicare Supplements or Medigap
Choosing a Medicare Plan
Star Ratings & Medicare Plan Quality
Medicare Part D Enrollment
ANOC: Annual Plan Changes
Changing Medicare Part D Plans
Medicare Enrollment Periods (IEP and AEP)
Special Enrollment Periods (SEPs)
Medicare Plan Disenrollment
The Late-Enrollment Penalty (LEP)
Cost-sharing: What You Pay
Paying Your Premiums
Extra Help - LIS - Medicaid
IRMAA: Higher Incomes and Costs
Living with Your Medicare Part D Plan
Explanation of Benefits (EOB)
Pharmacies and Part D
Specific Healthcare Coverage
Medicare Plan Providers
Retail Drug Pricing
Straddle Claims
Understanding Your Formulary
Monthly Formulary Changes
Drug Usage Restrictions (QL, PA, ST)
Formulary Exceptions (Coverage Determinations)
Transition Fills
Coverage of Specific Drugs
Diabetes and Diabetic Coverage
The Donut Hole or Coverage Gap
Entering the Donut Hole
Donut Hole Discounts
Closing the Coverage Gap
Exiting the Donut Hole
Catastrophic Coverage
TrOOP and MOOP: Out of Pocket Costs
Traveling with Your Medicare plan
Moving and Medicare Part D
Drug Discount Cards
Using Part D with Other Drug Programs
VA and TRICARE Coverage
Employer Drug Coverage
Medicare Savings Account Plans (MSA)
General Medicare
New Medicare Cards
Medicare Part B
Medicare Set Aside Arrangements
Medicare and the ACA Marketplace
Online Tool Tips
Other Q1Medicare Tips and Questions
$250 Doughnut Hole Rebate (Only in 2010)


Ask a Pharmacist*
Have questions about your medication?

» Answers to Your Medication Questions, Free!
Available Monday - Friday
8am to 5pm MST
*A free service included with your no cost drug discount card.

Quick Links




Advertisement



Pets are Family Too!
Use your drug discount card to save on medications for the entire family ‐ including your pets.

» Learn more about savings on Pet Medications
  • No enrollment fee and no limits on usage
  • Everyone in your household can use the same card, including your pets
Your drug discount card is available to you at no cost.

© Q1Group LLC 2005 - 2018


Tips & Disclaimers
  • The Medicare Advantage and Medicare Part D prescription drug plan data on our site comes directly from Medicare and is subject to change.
  • Medicare has neither reviewed nor endorsed the information on our site.
  • We provide our Q1Medicare.com site for educational purposes and strive to present unbiased and accurate information. However, Q1Medicare is not intended as a substitute for your lawyer, doctor, healthcare provider, financial advisor, or pharmacist. For more information on your Medicare coverage, please be sure to seek legal, medical, pharmaceutical, or financial advice from a licensed professional or telephone Medicare at 1-800-633-4227.
  • We are an independent education, research, and technology company. We are not affiliated with any Medicare plan, plan carrier, healthcare provider, or insurance company. We are not compensated for Medicare plan enrollments. We do not sell leads or share your personal information.
  • Benefits, formulary, pharmacy network, provider network, premium and/or co-payments/co-insurance may change on January 1 of each year. Our PDP-Compare.com and MA-Compare.com provide highlights of annual plan benefit changes.
  • The benefit information provided is a brief summary, not a complete description of benefits. For more information contact the plan.
  • Limitations, copayments, and restrictions may apply.
  • We make every effort to show all available Medicare Part D or Medicare Advantage plans in your service area. However, since our data is provided by Medicare, it is possible that this may not be a complete listing of plans available in your service area. For a complete listing please contact 1-800-MEDICARE (TTY users should call 1-877-486-2048), 24 hours a day/7 days a week or consult www.medicare.gov.
  • When enrolling in a Medicare Advantage plan, you must continue to pay your Medicare Part B premium.
  • Medicare beneficiaries with higher incomes may be required to pay both a Medicare Part B and Medicare Part D Income Related Monthly Adjustment Amount (IRMAA). Read more on IRMAA.
  • Medicare Advantage plans that include prescription drug coverage (MAPDs) are considered Medicare Part D plans and members with higher incomes may be subject to the Medicare Part D Income Related Monthly Adjustment Amount (IRMAA), just as members in stand-alone Part D plans. In certain situations, you can appeal IRMAA.
  • You must be enrolled in both Medicare Part A and Part B to enroll in a Medicare Advantage plan. Members may enroll in a Medicare Advantage plan only during specific times of the year. Contact the Medicare plan for more information.
  • If you are enrolled in a Medicare plan with Part D prescription drug coverage, you may be eligible for financial Extra Help to assist with the payment of your prescription drug premiums and drug purchases. To see if you qualify for Extra Help, call: 1-800-MEDICARE (1-800-633-4227). TTY users should call 1-877-486-2048, 24 hours a day/ 7 days a week or consult www.medicare.gov; the Social Security Office at 1-800-772-1213 between 7 a.m. and 7 p.m., Monday through Friday. TTY users should call, 1-800-325-0778; or your state Medicaid Office.
  • Medicare evaluates plans based on a 5-Star rating system. Star Ratings are calculated each year and may change from one year to the next.
  • A Medicare Advantage Private Fee-for-Service plan (PFFS) is not a Medicare supplement plan. Providers who do not contract with the plan are not required to see you except in an emergency.
  • Disclaimer for Institutional Special Needs Plan (SNP): This plan is available to anyone with Medicare who meets the Skilled Nursing Facility (SNF) level of care and resides in a nursing home.
  • Disclaimer for Dual Eligible (Medicare/Medicaid) Special Needs Plan (SNP): This plan is available to anyone who has both Medical Assistance from the State and Medicare. Premiums, co-pays, co-insurance, and deductibles may vary based on the level of Extra Help you receive. Please contact the plan for further details.
  • Disclaimer for Chronic Condition Special Needs Plan (SNP): This plan is available to anyone with Medicare who has been diagnosed with the plan specific Chronic Condition.
  • Medicare MSA Plans combine a high deductible Medicare Advantage Plan and a trust or custodial savings account (as defined and/or approved by the IRS). The plan deposits money from Medicare into the account. You can use this money to pay for your health care costs, but only Medicare-covered expenses count toward your deductible. The amount deposited is usually less than your deductible amount, so you generally have to pay out-of-pocket before your coverage begins.
  • Medicare MSA Plans do not cover prescription drugs. If you join a Medicare MSA Plan, you can also join any separate (stand-alone) Medicare Part D prescription drug plan
  • There are additional restrictions to join an MSA plan, and enrollment is generally for a full calendar year unless you meet certain exceptions. Those who disenroll during the calendar year will owe a portion of the account deposit back to the plan. Contact the plan provider for additional information.
  • Medicare beneficiaries may enroll through the CMS Medicare Online Enrollment Center located at www.medicare.gov.
  • Medicare beneficiaries can file a complaint with the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services by calling 1-800-MEDICARE 24 hours a day/7 days or using the medicare.gov site. Beneficiaries can appoint a representative by submitting CMS Form-1696.
.