Medicare SS Coordination

[Marc]

Wife went from SilverScript to WellCare this year with premium going from $44.80 to zero. Her estimate in November from SSA included the deduction from SilverScript. I contacted Medicare on chat and they confirmed that SilverScript was ending at end of 2024 and that she had WellCare. I believe I have received written communications from both companies confirming her switch to WellCare (including WellCare card). Her January SS deposit occurred today and they subtracted the $44.80 for SilverScript. Do I need to follow up with SSA and/or Medicare or will this automatically be rectified with the additional funds added to next deposit?

Thanks,

Marc

 

[Gumby]

The social security check you get in January is for benefits earned in the month of December. i.e. - they pay in arrears.

 

[Marc]

Yes, I understand, but they took out SilverScript 2025 premium and not 2024 premium, for a plan that Medicare says is not in effect.

 

[Gumby]

As I see it, you can either wait a month and see if it changes, or call them up now.

 

[badatmath]

Bogleheads has a similar thread going on. [Incorrect] Deduction for Part D Premium - Bogleheads.org

I'm wondering if it is better to pay part D some other way than via SS. (I'm not there yet).

 

[audreyh1]

The social security check you get in January is for benefits earned in the month of December. i.e. - they pay in arrears.

Yes, but the Medicare premiums deducted are for January.

 

[Gumby]

Yes, but the Medicare premiums deducted are for January.

Well, then it seems that they are in error. Maybe a call to Medicare would help.

 

[audreyh1]

I think they are probably in error. Hopefully it doesn’t cause a problem switching to the new plan.

I don’t plan to have SS deduct our Part D premiums mainly because it’s too much trouble to keep track of with changing every year.

 

[djsander]

Happened to my wife as well. She called Medicare and the rep checked her account and told her yep SS shouldn’t have done that. They also told her it is happening across the board. So, somebody dropped the ball. We will give it a month to correct and check with SS. Over at bogleheads it sounded like different answers on whether you talked to Medicare, SS or Aetna. If it drags on and isn’t quickly resolved we will just contact our congressional constituent rep.

 

[Koolau]

As I see it, you can either wait a month and see if it changes, or call them up now.

From my experience of calling about similar things, I'd wait for a documented problem. You might invest a lot of time for no reason for a relatively small amount. Just my 2 cents on the subject so YMMV.

 

[audreyh1]

As long as your new Part D provider Wellcare shows you are are current with them you’re good.

 

[BrianB]

DW has exactly the same situation: Changed from Silverscript to Wellcare $0.00 premium plan, but the Silverscript $40.30 was deducted from her SS payment last Tuesday.

We called SS yesterday and they said it should straighten itself out, but may take 2-3 months.

Today the $40.30 was deposited into our account from the SS Admin.

Problem solved!

Watch your account to see if yours is corrected or call SS as this may have expedited the refund.

BrianB

 

[Marc]

DW has exactly the same situation: Changed from Silverscript to Wellcare $0.00 premium plan, but the Silverscript $40.30 was deducted from her SS payment last Tuesday.

We called SS yesterday and they said it should straighten itself out, but may take 2-3 months.

Today the $40.30 was deposited into our account from the SS Admin.

Problem solved!

Watch your account to see if yours is corrected or call SS as this may have expedited the refund.

BrianB

Thank You!!!! I read your post and immediately checked my account and found that SSA refunded my wife's money today, too.

Again, many thanks!

Marc

 

[PatrickA5]

Same thing happened to me. I assume SS will fix the problem as BrianB mentioned above.

 

[TN Jim]

Mine was also refunded today. Last year SilverScript this year Wellcare.

 

[djsander]

Wife checked today and hers was refunded.