White House readies $90 payments to offset Medicare premiums

President Donald Trump has announced that the federal government will provide one-time $90 payments to more than 20 million Medicare beneficiaries to help offset the cost of Medicare Part B premiums, according to the White House. Payments are expected to be distributed in early October. Beneficiaries who receive Medicare payments by direct deposit generally will receive the $90 electronically, while those without direct deposit will receive checks at the mailing addresses on file with Medicare, the White House said. The administration said the payments will be drawn from the Medicare Improvement Fund, a $2 billion fund established by Congress to support improvements to Medicare’s fee-for-service program. The White House described the action as the first time the fund has been used to make direct payments to Medicare beneficiaries. Most people enrolled in Medicare Part B will qualify, according to the administration. People whose Part B premiums are paid by Medicaid and beneficiaries who pay an Income-Related Monthly Adjustment Amount will not be eligible. “President Trump is delivering on his promises to lower costs for American patients by putting them first and taking on the spec...