Hello Toni:
I have a very different Medicare problem than what you usually write about and I hope you can give me some well-needed guidance.
On August 15th, I received a delinquent notice from Medicare, which was dated July 27th, about my Medicare premium that I pay quarterly since I have not yet begun to receive my Social Security check. I thought I was paying for Part B and I have learned from Medicare that I also must pay an additional premium to Medicare for IRMAA Part D.
In the July 27th notice, I learned that I had been disenrolled from Medicare Part D effective August 1st, for being delinquent in paying the IRMAA Part D premiums that I knew nothing about.
Because I lost Part D, I was also disenrolled from my new Medicare Advantage plan. Now all I have is Medicare Parts A and B and NO Part C or D.
Toni, can you please explain what IRMAA is and how can I correct this? I am looking forward to your help…Sharon from San Jose, Calif.
Good Day, Sharon:
To correct your problem…I would go to my Congressman because Medicare is a Federal not a state program. Getting the answers or to appeal Medicare’s decision, you should seek help from your area’s Congressman.
I have been told that their office can work on your behalf with Medicare and find out if there is a way to correct the Part D problem. Do not wait…call them NOW!! The longer you wait the harder the problem is to correct!!
Social Security processes the paperwork for enrolling in Medicare. Now the wait at local Social Security offices is dreadful. Some are getting the run around for being charged too much for Part B and Part D premiums.
Recently, an elderly couple contacted me about going to the local Social Security office to begin their Social Security checks at 70, only to have the wife’s Medicare accidentally cancelled. It took over 60 days to correct this and when the husband contacted me, I advised him to contact their Congressman’s office. This fiasco was corrected in days, not weeks.
What is IRMAA?
There was a new Medicare Rule that went into effect January 1, 2011, regarding Medicare Part D. Social Security is now deducting more from your Social Security check for those enrolled in a Part D plan, if your income reported on your IRS tax return from 2 years ago (the most recent tax return information provided to Social Security by the IRS) is above a certain amount.
IRMAA (Income Related Monthly Adjusted Amount) rule has never really been publicized. IRMAA states that if your income is above $85,000 for an individual or $170,000 for a couple, then, you may pay additional monthly premium, IRMAA, in addition to your Medicare prescription drug premium. The IRMAA Part D premium can range from an extra $12.10 to $69.30 and is based on your reported income.
Remember always get copies of the paperwork the Congressman’s office or Social Security is going to process. You will always want back up, in case you have to go back and argue your case.
Toni King, author of the new Medicare Survival Guide®, which is a simple guide explaining Medicare is on sale at www.tonisays.com. Email questions to www.tonisays.com/ask-toni or call 832/519-TONI (8664).
