Direct answer: If you are in Original Medicare Part B, live in the United States, do not get Medicaid premium assistance, and do not pay IRMAA, CMS says you may receive a one-time $90 Medicare Improvement Fund premium rebate in October 2026—usually by direct deposit around October 8. Medicare Advantage members are not eligible. Call 1-800-MEDICARE to confirm eligibility; call Social Security at 1-800-772-1213 starting October 15 to ask about payment status. Medicare will not call you to ask for bank information—verify any offer through 1-800-MEDICARE.
CMS published a fact sheet on October 3, 2026, explaining the Medicare Improvement Fund Premium Rebate. This page summarizes that FAQ for Polk County and Central Florida readers. It is educational. It does not enroll you in a plan or determine rebate eligibility.
What the $90 payment is
CMS describes a $90 Premium Rebate for Part B premiums for certain Medicare beneficiaries, paid from the Medicare Improvement Fund. CMS says eligible beneficiaries will receive one $90 rebate in October 2026. It is separate from your monthly Part B premium billing and separate from Medicare Advantage marketing about “givebacks.”
Who CMS says is eligible—and who is not
CMS states that beneficiaries enrolled in Medicare Advantage are not eligible. The rebate is for people in Original Medicare Part B who are living in the United States, are not receiving premium assistance from Medicaid, and are not paying an Income-Related Monthly Adjustment Amount (IRMAA).
If Medicaid or a state program already pays your Part B premium, CMS’s eligibility list excludes you from this rebate. If you pay IRMAA because of higher income, CMS’s FAQ also excludes you. This page does not suggest changing coverage to chase the rebate. Medicare Advantage remains a valid choice for many people; it simply is not in CMS’s eligible group for this one-time payment.
When and how the money arrives
CMS says most eligible beneficiaries will receive a direct deposit for $90 on or around October 8, 2026, followed by an email or a letter from the President in mid-October. Some beneficiaries will receive a paper check for $90 from the U.S. Department of the Treasury later in October. CMS says the check message will read: “Medicare Improvement Fund Payment; $90 Payment to Offset October Premium.”
CMS says the vast majority of eligible beneficiaries will receive the rebate via direct deposit from the Social Security Administration. Those without direct deposit will receive a check to the mailing address registered with Medicare.
How to check if you qualify or if the payment went out
For eligibility, CMS says beneficiaries enrolled in Medicare Part B who are not receiving premium assistance through Medicaid and who do not pay IRMAA can call 1-800-MEDICARE (1-800-633-4227).
For payment status, CMS says to call the Social Security Administration at 1-800-772-1213 beginning on October 15, 2026.
David Huff is a licensed Florida health agent (FL #W371813). He can help you read Medicare notices and compare plan fit for the Annual Enrollment Period. He cannot process the rebate, change Social Security direct deposit, or override CMS eligibility rules.
Questions about Medicare notices or plan fit?
Call (863) 640-3102. Bring your Medicare card and any October mail about the rebate. A call does not enroll you in a plan.
Book a Medicare review Call (863) 640-3102Not the same as a Part B giveback plan
A Medicare Part B giveback is a Medicare Advantage plan feature that reduces the Part B premium you pay over time. The Medicare Improvement Fund rebate is a one-time $90 payment CMS describes for eligible Original Medicare Part B members. If you are in Medicare Advantage and wonder why you did not see $90, CMS’s answer is that Medicare Advantage enrollees are not eligible—not that you should leave your plan to collect it.
Before Annual Enrollment, still compare doctors and prescriptions on your current or next-year plan. Use the provider and prescription check and see the Polk County Medicare Open Enrollment checklist.
Is a phone call about the $90 rebate legitimate?
CMS’s official verification paths are 1-800-MEDICARE for eligibility and Social Security at 1-800-772-1213 for payment status starting October 15, 2026. Medicare will not call you out of the blue to ask for bank account or routing numbers for this rebate. If someone pressures you to “confirm” banking details or to switch plans to get the $90, hang up and call 1-800-MEDICARE yourself. Do not share Medicare numbers, Social Security numbers, or banking information with unsolicited callers.
Related reading
- Is a Part B giveback plan worth it in Polk County?
- Help paying Medicare costs in Polk County
- Medicare Open Enrollment checklist for Polk County
- Provider and prescription check
- Medicare help in Lakeland
Common questions
How much is the Medicare Improvement Fund premium rebate and when is it paid?
Eligible beneficiaries receive one $90 rebate in October 2026. CMS says most will receive a $90 direct deposit on or around October 8, followed by an email or a letter from the President in mid-October. Some beneficiaries will receive a paper check for $90 from the U.S. Department of the Treasury later in October with the message Medicare Improvement Fund Payment; $90 Payment to Offset October Premium.
Who receives the Medicare Improvement Fund premium rebate?
CMS says the rebate goes to Americans in Original Medicare Part B who are living in the United States, are not receiving premium assistance from Medicaid, and are not paying an Income-Related Monthly Adjustment Amount.
Are Medicare Advantage members eligible for the $90 rebate?
No. CMS states that beneficiaries enrolled in Medicare Advantage are not eligible for the Medicare Improvement Fund Premium Rebate.
How will the rebate be delivered?
CMS says the vast majority of eligible beneficiaries will receive the rebate via direct deposit from the Social Security Administration. Those without direct deposit will receive a check to the mailing address registered with Medicare.
How do I check eligibility or payment status?
For eligibility, CMS says beneficiaries enrolled in Medicare Part B who are not receiving premium assistance through Medicaid and who do not pay an Income-Related Monthly Adjustment Amount can call 1-800-MEDICARE (1-800-633-4227). To check payment status, CMS says to call the Social Security Administration at 1-800-772-1213 beginning on October 15, 2026.
Is the Medicare Improvement Fund rebate the same as a Part B giveback?
No. The Medicare Improvement Fund Premium Rebate is a one-time $90 payment for eligible Original Medicare Part B members. A Part B giveback is a Medicare Advantage plan feature that reduces the Part B premium you pay over time. They are different programs.